Irish lace is assembled from flower and foliage motifs joined with a fine mesh. This tutorial shows two crocheted leaves: the detailed textured motif begins with a chain of 17 stitches and has picots along the edge, while the simplified version begins with a chain of 15 stitches.
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Translated
Things you will learn
For the main textured leaf, chain 17; for the simple version, chain 15.
Work the main leaf with fine darning thread or sewing thread held 2–3 strands together.
In the detailed version, the textured ridges are created by working the stitches of row 4 into stitches from the row before the last one.
Make the detailed leaf's stem with a chain of 5 stitches, then work single crochet back along the chain.
Change the leaf size by changing the length of the starting chain.
Leaves for Irish Lace
Textured leaves with a central vein, picot points along the edge, and stems for joining into a lace fabric.
Materials and tools
Materials
Fine crochet thread, 2–3 strands held together, The source recommends fine darning thread or sewing thread.
Tools
Crochet hook
Preparation
Choose a leaf version
The detailed version has pronounced textured veins and picots along the edge. The second version is simpler and lets you adjust the size by changing the length of the starting chain.
Detailed Textured Leaf
This version is crocheted around a chain of 17 stitches. The photo shows the shape of the finished motifs.
Make the starting chain
Chain 17. This chain will sit at the center of the finished leaf.
Work the second row
Work 5 single crochet, 1 slip stitch, 7 double crochet, 1 half double crochet, and 3 single crochet. To turn, chain 3 and work back along the chain in the opposite direction. At the end of the row, make a picot from 5 chain stitches joined into a ring.
Work the third row
Turn the work and work single crochet around the leaf through the back loop only. The photo shows the edge treatment of an already formed leaf; use it as a guide to the shape, not as the start of the work. In the 3-chain turning space, work 1 single crochet, 3 chain stitches, and 1 single crochet. Continue working the turning section through the back loop only, and make a picot from 5 chain stitches at the end of the row.
Create the textured ridges
Work row 4 following the row 2 sequence, but work the stitches into the row before the last rather than into the last row. This creates raised outer ridges.
Repeat to the desired size
Continue repeating the described sequence until the leaf reaches the desired size.
Crochet the stem
From the last stitch, chain 5, turn the work, and work single crochet back along the chain to form the stem. Cut and fasten off the thread.
Simple Textured Leaf
The simplified version is built on a chain of 15 stitches and a two-row repeat.
Make the chain and work the second row
Chain 15. Work 15 single crochet, then chain 3 to turn and work 12 single crochet through the back loop only.
Work the third row
Work in single crochet to the turn; in the 3-chain turning space, work 5 single crochet.
Repeat two rows
In row 4 and subsequent rows, repeat rows 2 and 3, each time leaving the final 3 stitches unworked. Change the length of the starting chain to make the leaf larger or smaller.
Assemble a lace composition
Use the finished leaves alongside floral motifs.
Arrange the motifs on a layout template
Arrange the finished leaves and flowers on a layout template to plan the lace composition. You can join the leaves by their loops or long stems.
Finish and variations
Finish
Fasten off the working yarn
After crocheting the stem, cut and fasten off the yarn. The finished motifs can be arranged with flowers on a layout template to plan the lace composition.
Variations
Change the size
For the simple leaf, increase or decrease the length of the starting chain.
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