Leader: Maureen Wheeler
Craft: Crochet
Experience: Knowledge of basic crochet stitches
Summary: An opportunity to find out more about Irish Crochet techniques with or without using a padded cord. Make a motif of a flower, scroll, shamrock or rose.
Description
We will:
- Spend a short time looking at the origins of Irish Crochet in the nineteenth century.
- Examine Irish Crochet items from the Collection – (artefacts, patterns, notebooks, hooks and gadgets).
- Explore techniques and construction. (A magnifier might be helpful as some of the artefacts are very fine!).
- Look at effects of the technique using different yarn weights/hooks.
- Make a padded cord. Instructions for this will be sent in advance for you to experiment with.
- Create motifs in a yarn/hook of your choice including a flower, scroll, shamrock or rose.
About the leader
I am a member the Huddersfield branch of the Guild and part of the Collections Team since 2010, and assist with Trunk Shows, talks, exhibitions for branches and local groups.
I am a member of the Board.
I am a member of the West Yorkshire Archives Community Network group, whose aim is to raise the awareness of local historical collections and to share ideas of good practice.
I was taught to knit and crochet by my grandmother who always had some project on the go. She seems to have passed this on to me!
I became interested in Irish Crochet after looking at some of the amazing items in the Collection that I will bring along to share. I like using fine threads and hooks to imagine what those who made Irish Crochet items for a living would have experienced.
Email: maureen.wheeler@dfhs.org.uk
Skills required
Knowledge of basic crochet stitches; (dc, htr, tr) Some experience of working with fine crochet cotton and hooks helpful but not essential as the technique can be adapted to different thicknesses of yarn/hook.
Preparation
No preparation is needed.
What to bring
- Suitable yarns (cotton is best as it holds its shape; you need a firm tension)
- Appropriate size hooks for the yarn weight.
- If using traditional fine cotton, No 10 thread with 1.5 hook, No 20 thread with 1.25 hook (The finer the thread the more the challenge!)
Additional material
Maureen will provide a handout about the history of Irish Crochet Patterns for making the padded cord, flower, scroll, shamrock and rose.
Some fine threads will be available at the workshop if you want to experiment.
