(This post is part of my Year of Projects: Crochet Master Class: Lessons and Projects from Today’s Top Crocheters
After finishing up with my single crochet entrelac piece last week, I looked back at my Year of Projects poll results for inspiration. Irish crochet, bead crochet, and wire crochet were in a three way tie for second place, and I chose Irish crochet for my next Crochet Master Class adventure.
The Irish crochet master featured in Crochet Master Class is Maire Treanor, who is known for her research into and revival of Clones lace. Crochet was introduced to Clones as a form of famine relief in the 19th century, and eventually the lace from this town developed a reputation for its beauty.
My most powerful association with Irish crochet is the Irish rose motif. (Apparently, I’m not the only one – there are four pages of “Irish rose” patterns on Ravelry.) I don’t generally use a lot of red yarn, so I was happy to return to my wonderful skein of Araucania Ronco Multi.
I received this beautiful yarn from HappyMouseFairy at Knitted (who blogged about why she mailed me this particular skein here) back in May when I hosted a swap with some other members of the Blog Hub group on Ravelry. This yarn may look familiar to you, since it also made an appearance during my aborted filet crochet project. The filet crochet project has since been frogged, and the yarn has been waiting patiently in the bin for a new project to emerge from my mind.
I looked through my books and settled on two Irish rose patterns:
Irish Crochet (p. 173) from Margaret Hubert‘s The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet
and Traditional Rose (p. 30) from Helen Jordan‘s Textured Crochet
I started out with Irish Crochet.
I’m not feeling it. I’m sure it will look better blocked, but I don’t like the way the last 3 rows came together. So I decided to turn to the Traditional Rose.
I really love the look of this rose. I even made another one, adding two additional rounds to the pattern.
My two Traditional Roses, side by side, for size comparison.
These multi-layered roses are what I associate most closely with Irish crochet.
From the side, you can see how each round of petals stacks underneath the previous layer.
After finishing both roses during a particularly long subway ride, I happened to notice how the nicely the small amounts of purple coordinate with my backpack.
I’ve vowed to make more projects for myself this year, and have even joined the 12 for myself group on Ravelry. I considered making a brooch to attach to my backpack. But then I imagined the hard life this brooch would live, exposed to the elements and rush hour subway rides, dangling precariously on my backpack. It is definitely much too pretty for such a fate.
I am contemplating transforming my rose into a piece of crochet jewelry. Because I so rarely crochet for myself, I never have much to show for my crochet talent when I go to fiber events or classes. While other people will be walking around with all manner of shawls, skirts, and sweaters, I will be hanging out with my store bought clothing. I’d like to change that for 2012.
For more Year of Projects posts, visit When Did I Become a Knitter.
06:54 on January 8th, 2012
I prefer the traditional rose too. The yarn you used is perfect for the project. Everyone seems to be talking about this 12 for myself group .. must go check it out.
08:26 on January 8th, 2012
That traditional rose is gorgeous, and the yarn you’ve used is perfect for it. I think it would make a really nice broach to go on a jacket.
10:39 on January 8th, 2012
That traditional rose reminds me of the flowers my mom used to crochet. Perhaps you can turn it into an over the top headband?
11:35 on January 8th, 2012
Love your Araucania Ronco Multi yarn. Beautiful. Irish lace is yet another thing I haven’t tried yet!
11:38 on January 8th, 2012
Aren’t swaps great, CrochetBlogger? I never would have picked a red for myself, and now whenever I need red, I have this lovely yarn waiting for me!
11:38 on January 8th, 2012
Thanks for the suggestions, Vanessa and Emma. I was thinking of maybe making a necklace, but we’ll see how that goes.
11:39 on January 8th, 2012
Thanks, Dorothy! It is a fun group if you have trouble prioritizing making projects for yourself
.
13:01 on January 8th, 2012
Really pretty Rose, and as everyone else says the yarn is perfect for it. You could embellish a shop bought jumper with some flowers, customising all the way, just think what the other people at your events will think about that.
I like your entrelac from last week, and I also like your new storage thing for 2012, I am nearly always in the shops just before the new year buying a new storage box or two!
13:56 on January 8th, 2012
That would make a beautiful corsage to go onto a jacket or tailored coat. I love the yarn, and approve 100% of a 12 for yourself group
14:13 on January 8th, 2012
The traditional roses are gorgeous, especially in that lovely yarn. I did a necklace of them. They’d also be nice to garland a collar, wouldn’t they?
Happy birthday!
19:40 on January 8th, 2012
Thanks so much, Minding My Own Stitches! I was definitely leaning towards a necklace, so that suggestion sounds great.
19:41 on January 8th, 2012
Great suggestions, goodpurlgonebad!
19:42 on January 8th, 2012
Thanks so much Faith! Good storage makes such a difference!
00:53 on January 9th, 2012
Your roses are simply lovely. Looking at them makes me want to put the needles down for a bit and take a turn at learning crochet!
*smiles*
09:32 on January 9th, 2012
I love the rose too. I almost makes me think I could figure out the whole crochet thing myself.
17:07 on January 9th, 2012
They are so pretty – I love the yarn. And making some things for yourself sounds like an excellent plan for this year x
17:09 on January 9th, 2012
Huh – what happened to my comment – did you see it?
18:16 on January 9th, 2012
I like your rose version so much better. :O)
Great yarn score! I used the Araucania brand once and it worked very nicely via knitting and it’s soft.
14:09 on January 10th, 2012
Yay Kim and Keri! I love it when more people start to crochet
.
14:09 on January 10th, 2012
Weird Sarah! Your comments did make it through though
. Thanks – I think we all need to make some things for ourselves from time to time.
14:10 on January 10th, 2012
Thanks Kepanie! Good to know that you had a good experience with this yearn.