Ecru and White Thread Overload?

A common problem among us Irish Crocheters (if you can call it a problem!) is having an abundance of white and ecru thread.   Lori, one of our moderators over on the Ravelry Irish Crochet Lovers group, uses Sharpies to color her thread for an added artistic element.  Genius!  She has put together a little tutorial on her blog, and even has a video.

Check out her blog HERE!

A motif colored with Sharpie before blending.

There are two methods of dyeing your thread with the markers.  One is by directly coloring on the thread, and then dripping alcohol over it to dilute and blend the color.  The other way is to color the marker onto a container, and drip some alcohol onto the ink, then drop your motif in. You can dye the thread before you crochet, or make a motif and then color it!


Just think of all the fun we can have with this!

Motif after blending ink with alcohol.

If you try this please send us some pictures and we will share them here!
~Kim

IC Tips-Hook and Thread Size Guide

Chart from Maire Treanor’s book “Clones Lace”, currently available from her website:

Thread          Hook              Irish-UK     US
#10               1.50mm              10            12
#20               1.0 or 1.25mm    12            13
#40               0.75mm              13            13 
#60               0.60mm              14            14 
#80               0.50mm              15            15 
#100             0.50 or 0.40mm   16            16

This is for general guidance. Always be ready to change your hook size to suit your individual tension and the motif you are making. Irish crochet, unlike many other forms of crochet, looks its best when worked to a firm tension.

“All the stitches in Irish lace must be firm and even, loose or ragged crochet makes inferior lace, wanting in crispness”, Needlecraft No 21, published by Manchester School of Embroidery. This is from the Introduction which has some useful tips on Irish crochet and is available for free download fromwww.antiquepatternlibrary.com

from pages, Irish Crochet Lovers Group on Ravelry