Making an Irish Crochet Dress.

I am so exited about this project. This is the first time that I worked with this wonderful Irish crochet technique. I confess that this project took me more time to finish than my other dresses using regular crochet. The difference of Irish crochet is that the motifs are made first, then pinned on a pattern. The mesh stitch is worked around motifs. 

I used as a pattern my favorite dress; I pinned on the motifs.

After finishing the front side of the dress, I worked the other side.

I joined  the back and front with a mesh stitch; that way they will blend perfectly. 

Before unpinning your work, it's important to press it. This way it will maintain its form, otherwise it will become distorted.

I decided to add sleeves on my dress.

A typical floral or leaf motifs are worked over a foundation cord, pulling up the cord periodically to make stitches lie flat. I didn't use a cord. To make a leaf motif: Work 15 chains, 3 single crochet in second chain from hook.(to form the tip of the leaf) Work 2 half double crochet on each of the next 2 chains, then the rest with double crochet. The last 3 chains work: 2 half double crochet and 1 single crochet. Turn, repeat on the other side.

It's important to work the 3 single crochet on the tip of the leaf, this way the leaf will not curl up.

Work 3 rows in total.

Then work on base of leaf 1 single crochet on the next stitch,1 half double crochet on the next stitch , chain 1, 1 double crochet, chain 1, repeat to the top of the leaf, on last 2 stitches work 1 half double crochet finishing with 3 single crochet on tip of leaf. Work all the way down on the leaf's edge a single crochet turn, slip stitch all the way up to the tip of the leaf. Single crochet on each stitch to the base of the leaf. Turn, slip stitch all around the leaf. Work 15 chains for the other connected leaf. Repeat instructions. Work 24 chains for stem. 

Work single crochet on each chain of stem.Turn, single crochet all the way down. Fasten off.

Pinning motifs on pattern.

Working mesh stitch around motifs.

Join sleeve to dress with a mesh stitch.

I crocheted buttons for the back of the dress.

Here is the dress with a red lining underneath.

~Have a wonderful day full of  beautiful things and a happy Christmas around your loved ones.~

Making A Crochet Dress

A good friend gifted me a wonderful book called The Concise Crochet Book by Paul Hamlyn ; that belonged to her mother. And with the book a bag full of yarn; I was so happy. She said that her mother was cleaning her closet and when she saw the yarn and some unfinished projects she though about me, and said: I know a person that would use this. The crochet dress is worked from the waist upward and the waist downward, therefore the length can be easily adjusted. I made the Sleeveless Dress. This dress is simple but divine. I made some alterations. I decided to add elbow length sleeves, make it longer, and more close to the neck. 

Working the front bodice.

The back bodice. (I, however, decided to switch the front with the back because I wanted the buttons in the back.)

Here's the finished project. The skirt is worked in rounds from edge of bodice. But I didn't finish here; I decided to add roses on the skirt edge, and close the bodice with the same rose pattern that I used on the skirt edge.

Making crochet buttons using beads. I found that regular buttons hold better.

Work 3 chain, ss into 1st ch to form a ring.

work 12 single crochet into ring, join with ss.

work single crochet into each sc. until forming a bowl. Place the button, or bead in the center and decrease to close button.

Button made, fasten off. Leave a long piece of thread to sew with tapestry needle.

Adding roses to the skirt edge.

Shells on sleeve edges.

Made a pair of cuffs to wear with my dress.

I really love it. It gives a romantic touch to the outfit.

I am really happy with the result. 

This is a preview of my next project that I am working on now. I'm exited!

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~Have a wonderful day full of beautiful things.~