The durability and serviceability of the form of handmade lace known as Irish crochet makes this time-honored craft especially appealing to today's needleworkers. Here is an excellent turn-of-the-century introduction to Irish crochet, available in this attractive and inexpensive paperback edition.Irish Crochet is a lucid, well-planned guide for crocheters of all levels of skill and experience. Newcomers to Irish crochet will find helpful suggestions on materials, detailed instructions for making even the simplest designs, and a thorough grounding in the special techniques characteristic of Irish crochet. Also included are clear explanations for the basic crochet stitches so that even a newcomer to crochet may begin in the Irish way.Experienced crocheters can skip to the step-by-step illustrated directions for dozens of stunning background stitches, borders, beadings, insertions, medallions, and classic Irish crochet motifs — rose leaf patterns, wild rose designs, blackberry flowers, passion flowers, and others. Here, too, are expert suggestions and assistance for combining these elements into purses, collars and cuffs, bonnets, jackets, gowns, and other beautiful and ambitious pieces.Irish Crochet combines challenges to sharpen the skills of the most advanced needleworkers with a step-by-step approach that will prepare even beginners for intricate projects. Here is a full Irish crochet vocabulary of attractive ornaments and figures that you can draw upon again and again in the practice of this fine craft.