Nine Heart Motif in Irish Crochet

I've been reading some old books on Irish Crochet and have been contemplating attempting a project. When I saw this Valentine paper doily, it hit me. I am going to create a doily patterned after a paper doily, and I'm going to do it in Irish Crochet.

To start, I'd like to tell you a little about some of the things I've learned while perusing these old books. If you're like me, then you have no ides where to get materials to try Irish Crochet. I learned that many padded cords work better than one. So, if you can't find #2 cordonnet- no worries! Just use several cords of # 10. I did manage to find some  DMC cordonnet  special in size 10, 30, 40, 50 and 100. So, they still make it. I found it in a Knit and Craft store in Richfield, Utah. I am not sure if that's a chain.

I used matches for mesh. I taped them together with electrical tape. The thread slides off easier. You can place your working thread on the match and wrap the padded cord over top and secure it with a slip stitch before you slip it off the matches.

Make sure and use enough padded cord to finish, you don't want to join. You can save excess for making small motifs and rings.

When adding strands of pc, do so by spooling out half the # of strands needed, but twice as long. Then double over and join via sl st through the bend of the doubled over thread.

Maybe I'm telling you stuff you already know, but this was a learning process for me.

Nine Spoke Heart Motif



I used # 10 DMC cordonnet special for the padded cord (pc), and # 100 DMC cordonnet special for  the working thread. If these are unavailable, use any size 10 and try a # 80 tatting thread. I used a # 14 hook, the smallest I could find.

Wrap 4 matches, 8 times with pc. 54 sc in ring. Join with sl st to 1st sc. End off. Weave in ends.

Ch 2. Wrap 3 matches with pc, 8 times. Place ring next to 2nd ch of ch 2. Sl st in ring and ch 1.15 sc in ring. Pinch ring closed and work 1sc in top 2 loops of 1st sc. 14 more sc on ring. Sc over ch 2 and into 1st sc. 2 sc on ch 2. Sc in next 5 sc of beginning  ring. Trim ends of pc.

*Ch 2, Wrap 3 matches with pc, 8 times. Place ring next to 2nd ch of ch 2, sl st in ring to join and ch 1. 8 sc in ring. Sl st in 7th sc of 14 sc on previous ring/heart. 8 sc in ring. Pinch ring and sc in top 2 loops of 1st sc.**  14 sc in ring. sc in first sc. 2 sc on ring. Sc in next 5 sc of center ring. Trim ends of pc.*

Repeat from * to * 7 times.

On last heart, repeat from * to **, then 6 sc in ring. Sl st in 8th sc of first heart, 8 sc in ring. (It is hard to work these last sc, but if I can, you can.)  Sc in 1st sc. 2 sc on ch 2. Sc in next 4 sc on center ring. Join w/ sl st in first sc of center ring. End off. Weave in ends.

Join working thread with sl st in top loops of 15th sc of any heart. *Ch 12, sl st in top of 15th sc of next heart* around. Join w/ sl st in same loops as first sl st.

Add 6 strands of pc. Working over pc and ch 12, 20 sc in next ch 12 loop. Drop pc, sc in sl st. Pick up pc, 20 sc in next ch 12, around. Finish with sc in sl st between last and first ch 12. End off pc only and weave in.

With working thread, (ch 3, sk 2 sc , sc in back loop only of next sc.) 6 times. Ch 3, sk next 2 sc, sc in next sc (sc between ch 12 loops). Continue around. End off. Weave in ends.

Make 2.

I hope you learned a Little about Irish Crochet. If you have any questions, let me know. Check back soon for the next motif in my paper heart doily. Until Next Time.

This pattern is my own design and I retain any and all rights to it. You may not sell or publish it without my permission. But, you may do what ever you like with what you make from it.