Patterns | Knitting Guide

crochet edge knitting

Crochet Lace

Although the origins of crochet lace are not known, the earliest known crochet lace traces back to the eighteenth century in Arabia, South America and China. However, it became popular in the 1800s in Europe. The earliest written record about crochet refers to a shepherd knitting in Elizabeth Grant's The Memoirs of Highland Lady in 1812. The first published record of crochet appeared in the Dutch magazine Penelope in 1824.

Crochet lace is a process of creating fabric from yarn or thread by using a crochet hook. This form is derived from French which means hook. This art consists of pulling loops of yarn through other loops. Crochet is like knitting in many ways but different in that in crochet embroidery lace making only one loop is active at one time.

Crochet lace was not considered true embroidery lace but an imitation or a secondary version of embroidery lace. This lace is made by applying the art of crochet. The art of crochet uses fine threads and more decorative styles of stitching often with flowing lines or curved edges along the fabric border. The lacy look on crochet embroidery lace reflects various sizes of holes.

Crocheting is an easy form of lace making that takes less time and adds to the beauty of the dress it is attached to. Though crochet embroidery lace is considered inferior to the other elite forms of laces such as Rachel lace which are made using needles, bobbins or nets, it became widely popular in the nineteenth century. The first forms of crochet lace copied the forms of other lace techniques but later crochet began to be appreciated more for its inherent beauty and the many possibilities of designs that can be created in this genre.

Crochet lace is mainly categorized into Filet lace and Irish lace. Filet lace is like a grid because it uses only two crochet stitches chain stitch and double crochet stitch. Chain stitches use less of yarn which form pattern by filling in parts of mostly chain stitch with double crochet stitches. Crochet thread made of mercerized cotton in white or ecru is used to construct a monotonous design.

Irish lace has always been an important part of the Irish needlework tradition. Irish Crochet Lace is made with a very fine crochet hook and fine crochet cotton or linen thread. You start by outlining your pattern on a piece of cloth and then crochet each motif separately. The motifs are then stitched onto the cloth in the shape of the pattern.

Crochet lace is typically used for knitwear, pillow covers, sheets, towels and napkins. This lace can also be used to beautify ladies' wardrobe by adding edges to sleeves, neckline or bottom edge of a T shirt or blouse and skirt. Decorative applications like table cloths, place settings like coasters and placemats also make use of crochet lace to increase their decorative value.

About the Author

Finesse is yet another feather in the cap of Bombay Agencies established in 1950, has completed more than 50 years in Lace industry. Finesse provide varieties to suit individual tastes in varied hues, patterns & designs, fashion changes with time and we keep up with the fashion pace.

Double Crochet Edge - KnitDale.com