Irish Crochet Lace: Motifs from County Monoghan

Of all the forms of crochet lace that are known, 'Irish Crochet' is most sought after and is probably the best known. While the Irish tradition for producing this work dates back to the sixteenth century, when it was known as 'nuns work' from the fact that the technique and style was developed in Irish convent communities in imitation of continental European lacemaking styles, the manufacture of crochet lace did not become a cottage industry in Ireland until the middle of the nineteenth century, after the devastation caused by the Great Famine of the 1840s, when the development of home crafts was encouraged to create some small income for otherwise destitute families.
A lifelong involvement with the Irish lacemakers inspired Mrs d'Arcy to record her knowledge and to describe the traditional motifs and patterns that were gradually being lost as the old lace makers died out. Irish Crochet Lace is both a pictorial record of one of Ireland's finest crafts and a practical manual which sets out in order the steps in construction of a wide range of traditional motifs that can be built up into unique and beautiful designs.