Modern Lace--Kim's Espadrilles

Over on the Ravelry Group, Irish Crochet Lovers, some of us were chatting about what we do with all of our loose little motifs from practice, and from the CAL's.  Some folks keep a sample book and some make jewelry or embellish items.  Melba is making a fabulous bag, using a thrift-store purse and motifs in shades of brown.  I have been keeping all of my motifs in a ziplock baggie, saving them for....I don't know what!  I couldn't think of a project for them, as they are all different figures and weights of thread.  I like symmetry and using them in a joined piece would mean that I would have to make more of them to balance out my design.  I was feeling a little lazy about that.  During our chat I looked down at my feet, and lo and behold, inspiration struck!  I was wearing my cheapie espadrilles that I bought on clearance at Target.  Then and there I arranged some motifs on my toes and sewed them onto the canvas!  I received many compliments the next morning at the school run.  What do YOU do with all of your motifs?  Leave a comment below to help out the rest of us!  ~~Kim

Jeff Amazes Me

If you haven't seen Jeff's Poppy Project, take a few minutes to check out his slideshow of the design and creation process.  It is amazing!  Thank you, Jeff, for taking the time to make this video.  Your focused and thoughtful approach to this artpiece is something to which we all can aspire.

Jeff's slideshow HERE 

From Jeff's YouTube page--  "In July 2011, I was invited to make a version of the International Poppy Project in Clones lace - a form of Irish crochet lace. In June 2012, I finished the project. A number of people asked me about how I designed and worked the piece. This slideshow describes some of the process." 

Antique of the Week--Full Length Dress

Firefly1052, an eBay seller, was showing this dress a while ago and was kind enough to share it with us here on the Irish Together Blog.  It is a French Victorian dress made of white net and elaborately detailed Irish Crochet work.

Front

Detail of bodice.  I love the change in texture that is achieved with the different types of background joining. 

Bodice net and collar detail.  The collar is 2.5 inches tall.

Detail of the waist decoration.  This looks like a much heavier thread was used here than on the other Irish Crochet areas.  I wonder if it was added later...?

Back view.  The strip of Irish Crochet near the bottom of the skirt is 4.5 inches wide.

Side view

Close up of large flower on sleeve.  I see possible Clones Knots on the petals!

Do you have an antique you would like to share?  Send an email to Kim at irishcrochettogether@gmail.com.

Challenge--Seashells

Time for a new challenge!  Using traditional Irish Crochet techniques, create a motif or design inspired by SEASHELLS.  They have a symmetrical and mathematical design but are straight from nature and will provide us with countless jumping-off points.

Google Image Search:  SEASHELLS result sample

Take a look at what Jeff is creating: Sealife Collar

What other inspiring images can you find?  This might be an excuse to head to the beach to hunt for real-life inspiration.

I'm excited to see what you create.  Goal date for completion is August 30, 2012.  Send your photo(s) to Kim at irishcrochettogether@gmail.com.  These challenges are open-ended so send in photos even if you finish a challenge after the goal date!  We always love to share!
--Kim

Blog Challenge--Blue Valentino--Results

Our blog challenge using the Blue Valentino dress from the cover of InStyle magazine is posted here.  I encourage those of you who are working on this to send me a photo ANY time.  There won't be a deadline on the challenges, they will be open-ended and I'll post photos whenever I receive them.   Here is my project.  You can see further details on my personal blog: modern crochet goddess
-Kim

Kim's blog challenge June 2012

Modern Lace--Olgemini's Blue Dress

Many of you are already fans of Olgemini, a modern Irish crocheter from Moscow.  She contributes to Zurnal Mod magazine, a Russian publication filled with amazing work and patterns.  This year, Olga attended Maire Treanor's Summer School in Clones, and brought some of her garments for up-close inspection.  Were you one of the lucky ones who met her there?

Olga's inspiration comes mainly from antique motifs.  She has a beautiful antique Irish Crochet collection and examines the pieces to learn about construction and motif design.  She has also purchased some Irish Crochet books on Amazon, and then learned the patterns by studying the photos, as her English is not fluent. She says she loves the antique motifs, and regarding creating new motifs, "My hands do crochet as they want :=) I try to add elements of freeform in traditional motifs."

Her Blue Dress took two months to create, a long time for her, she says!  Only two months!  I think it's safe to say that most of us could work for a year and not come close to completion of something so beautiful.  She used 100 percent cotton Yarnart Violet thread for the motifs, with a 1mm hook.  For the joining, she used Nilo thread and a .75mm hook.

Enjoy!

-Kim

front of dress

back of dress--I see a shamrock spray!

I love the pansy.  I will be trying that one for my new project!

I aspire to have tension this even

traditional motifs

skirt--I love how the hem design has a repeating pattern of heavier motifs to define it

hem detail

Thanks so much to Olga for sharing her photos and for talking with me!

Field Trip-Clones Lace Workshop, Lacis 2012

Lacis, in Berkely California

I had a very special treat today!  Although I'm not able to attend Maire Treanor's Clones Lace Workshop at Lacis this year, I was able to pop up to Berkeley today for a little visit!  It was so wonderful to see Maire, and also some familiar faces from last year.

The workshop is fairly informal, with a variety of projects and experience levels happening at the same time.  Maire breaks the chatting once in a while to demonstrate a technique for the whole group, and is otherwise occupied giving individual attention to the participants.  I saw people working with No. 10 thread, and with No. 80.  I saw colored thread and white.  Beginners were assembling their first small projects, and a few advanced folks were laying out more ambitious creations.  There were traditional motifs, motifs from Russian inspiration, and brand new motifs.  What an inspiring day for me.  Thank you everyone for welcoming me just for those couple of hours I was able to join you.--Kim

Maire demonstrates the Clones Knot

Leanne works on her shawlette.

Tiny hook and thread!  Leanne is using No. 40 DMC

Shawlette laid out on muslin.  Detail is of Roz's cyclamen leaf.

Design discussion.

Showing us the layout.

Look at how much she has finished!  These motifs are in different threads and lightweight yarns.

Cynthia designed her own grapeleaf.  She picked a real grapeleaf from her garden for inspiration.  

Patty's work-in-progress using No. 10 thread.  She is inspired by MOD.  We were all envious of her sketching skills too!

Maire has photos from her Summer School in Clones workshop on her Facebook Page.