Workshop of my Irish vest

Some friends asked me about the stages of making this vest. I didn't put these pictures because I don't like them, they are bad pictures, and don't show the details. I am posting them now because I think maybe they show some stages or give some hints about the stages.

I will explain the stages according to these pictures,
First I have done my own pattern -according my size, and as you see it is flat pattern-has no darts in it; It is the easiest pattern we can make. I have also copied the pattern on a cloth.

Second, I have made the whole motifs of the back and both sides of the vest. then I have sewn the motifs on the cloth, and sewn the group of them together . Also I have located the separated motifs in their own place -according pattern structures.
Of course we sew the motifs their faces downward -as shown in pictures. I also have changed this cord to make it an Irish cord. The original one was simple- just chains with three rows of single crochet. I have made the original one first to get its cauge , then replaced it with mine.

third, the hardiest part-background, I have started to make it from bottom , and made some slip stitches on motif to join them with background. Also please note that the wrong side of background is facing you. It was really hard for me to do this vest because it was my first attempt. I think I should practise with smaller piece of crochet. I still think there are some skills be needed to practise in control with background and motifs. I really still need this.

Anyway, I re-organized these pictures , and put them in my blog to share my small experience with anyone who wants to know how was my adventure.

My Irish vest

My Irish vest is a charted pattern from Japanese book called " Crochet lace". It was my first attempt making an Irish garment. I have made many Irish motif from Priscilla book number 1, and 2. I also have made many Irish backgrounds. The point was to use both motifs with backgrounds. I have made an Irish doily, but it was just motifs connected with each other there is no background in it. I can say that working motifs with background is more difficult, and more thrilled too.
This pattern exhausted me because I didn't try doing motif with background before it. I think it was overhasty step, and I should to try with something simpler. despite all these difficulties, I also can say that I have learned many things doing this pattern, but I have learned it in a hard way. LOL

This pattern is flat pattern-it is a pattern with no darts in it; it is the most common pattern in knit and crochet garments. The most beautiful thing about an Irish garment is ,you can use the 2d pattern-it is pattern with breast dart, waist dart, side dart, and also back dart. Of course you can use some of these darts or all of them to make a very fit garment. It is pattern we use it in a sewing clothes. I saw many 2d patterns in some magazines which care about an Irish garments, and I love them so much; it is really special garments. Hope I can make one of these garments one day, but I think I really need a lot of practice doing motifs with different backgrounds before I start making this complicated pattern.

I also like the modern magazines which care about an Irish crochet, and see them revive this art to our life. I think it is better to use it in a modern way than to buried it in our memories, and just say " oh it WAS a wonderful art".

Two look

Close look at my Irish vest

Chrochet beaded set

This pattern was plain one. It was small necklace -just around the neck. I have changed its design and made it taller and added the closed center Irish rose ,the two leaves, and also made this pair of earrings to fit it.
I have made it use the thread size 10 and the steel hook size 7. Its thread is off white, and I have used the same color for the bead.

My necklace

Close look

Close look at my necklace and earring.

Some interesting Irish crochet videos

I want to really thank all these wonderful skillful ladies for their lovely efforts. Thanks so much.

Different methods to fix motifs

Here She sews the motifs on the cloth to make the background.


Here the lady just pins her motif to the cloth

Different backgrounds

Irish video ( How to prepare)

Here how to prepare for fixing your motifs on padding using pins , and cloth to draw your pattern or just fix your motifs on.

The slipper

slipper workshop

This is very easy slipper to do. All you need is to make 6 grannies you want or prefer. and then sew them in that way I show. The final thing you can do is to make an edge for it by doing single crochet around it. I have made it using hook size 3.5mm and 2 skeins each one is 50 gram.
I have sewn it using crochet hook, and make a pompom for it.