Irish Lace Archives - Hobbyist on the Road

Posted on December 15, 2022December 15, 2022 by Vytene — 1 Comment

Ways to Wear the Lavender Fields Lace Dress

Ways to Wear my Lavender Fields Lace Dress.

After the recent launch of my Lavender Fields Lace Dress crochet pattern, I ran into a dilemma.

I completed the dress in the summertime, and it made a perfect outfit for those balmy late August and early September evenings.

But by the time my lovely team of testers finished testing the pattern, October has arrived.

You can get the pattern on ETSY | RAVELRY |THIS WEBSITE | RIBBLR (coming soon)

Hence the dilemma:

How can I wear my lace dress in autumn and even later into the cold season? Is it even possible? Is this dress just for warm season or can it be realistically worn during the chilly months of the year?

So to answer these questions, I grabbed my Lavender Fields Dress and headed for the shops.

My plan was to find at least two warm undergarments that I could easily pair with my lace dress.

So here are the results of my little ‘Ways to Wear’ experiment in the changing rooms:

Black knit pullover and a black slip paired with black suede boots.

Ways to Wear Lavender Fields Dress Black Background

I really love this look where black background makes the lace texture stand out.

The turtleneck keeps me warm and cozy, and I do not have to think whether or not it sits well. Yes, am keeping this set, it’s a winner!

Other dark monochrome colours would also work very well, and they would be really effective, if you could keep the footwear in the same colour.

2. Ribbed jumper dress in nude colour and brown suede boots.

Before going into the shops, I actually thought I will simply buy a few knit jumper dresses in different colours and be done with my experiment. Turns out, they are not so easy to find!

I found this dress in nude colour, a size smaller than what I would normally wear, but it doesn’t really matter, because the material stretches and my intention is to only wear it as an undergarment.

Ways to Wear Lavender Fields Dress nude ribbed Background

As you can see, a simple swap of colours, lends the lace dress a totally different look and feel.

This time, the dress seems more toned down, definitely a casual daytime outfit.

As you can see from a close-up picture below, the nude colour dress has a basic ribbed pattern, which is not ideal for wearing it with my lace dress. The reason, I think, I can just get away with it because of the totally neutral colour which does not draw attention to itself.

Another aspect to keep in mind if choosing a nude fabric as an undergarment for this dress, the first impression can be that you are not wearing anything underneath. So you may sometimes get some startled looks…

Apart from the two variations above which I’ve decided to keep, I tried on a number of different tops and dresses and took some close-up pictures to see how different fabrics, textures, colours and knits work with the lace of Lavender Fields Dress.

Here are some more pictures and conclusions from my fitting rooms adventures.

One important conclusion – my black knit pullover works the best, because the knit is very fine and plain, there isn’t any pattern on it.

The minute a garment has some sort of pattern, even a simple ribbed one, it starts clashing with the lace. Sometimes, like with my nude coloured dress, one can make it work, but very often, it’s not the best option.

Another discovery is the choice of fabric. This jersey pullover (picture below), for example, seemed like a good option while it was on a hanger. The minute I put it on, I realized it was not. It has strange, messy folds around the neck and in the chest area. So it was a NO from me.

A maroon T-shirt dress (below) seemed like an option while I was in the lovely fitting room with dimmed lights.

Ways to Wear Lavender Fields Dress synthetic marron background

When I got into the daylight though, I changed my mind. This is because the shade of the dress looked totally different and the synthetic material seemed very cheap.

So another lesson learnt – always check an item in the daylight. Especially, if it is something you will be wearing during the day.

Another discovery I’ve made is about the shape of the neckline.

So for example, I thought it would be a good idea to layer my warm tailored vest on top of the dress, just to have a different option for chillier days.

Ways to Wear Lavender Fields Dress neckline

You can judge for yourself, but to my mind, having a pullover, a V-shaped and a round neck line on the same neck at once, does not look like the best option out there. So I am not going down this road either.

So there you have it, my ‘Ways to Wear’ adventures 🙂

I hope that my little experiment will give you some ideas of how you could wear your Lavender Fields Lace Dress (or any other lace item) during the colder months.

Get instantly downloadable Lavender Fields Lace Dress pattern here:

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Posted on February 5, 2021March 9, 2021 by Vytene — Leave a comment

Dreamy Collar Styling

I have recently completed a very detailed crochet CAL pattern for my Dreamy Collar with a vintage feel and a contemporary look.

I thought I’ll show you some ways I am going to style it, so as to give you an idea of how it could be worn.

Did you know that removable collars like this are back in fashion in 2021? Although I don’t think they ever went out of fashion in the crochet world 🙂 🙂 🙂

How to wear your Dreamy Collar.

Play with contrasting colours. If your collar is light, then wear it with a dark blouse or shirt.

Dreamy Collar Styling - on a black blouse tied up on the side.

You can tie the collar up on the side, like in the picture above, or centered in the front, like in the picture below.

Dreamy Collar Styling - on jeans shirt, tied up in the front.

2. Wear your Dreamy Collar on a matching colour background. If your collar is light, like mine, wear it with a cream shirt. The collar will give the whole outfit a very subtle finish and dress up even a very casual top.

3. The fashion now seems to turn around the idea of matching items that at first sight don’t match. I matched my Dreamy Collar with a leather jacket and keep thinking I should buy a leather shirt and wear it with that.

4. Wear it with other accessories such as a faux fur collar or a long necklace.

You can get a very detailed pattern CAL for this Dreamy Collar

Tools and materials used:

Anchor Freccia mercerized thread, 100g/570m approx. (For this Dreamy Collar I used up less than one 50g ball of the thread.)

1mm size hook.
You can use any size of yarn and hook, but keep in mind that the larger the hook and yarn size, the chunkier your collar will be.

Parchment paper and a measuring tape for collar shape cut out.

Soft board or a flat cushion for pinning your collar cut out and individual motifs on and assembling the collar with the lace.

Pins, needle, scissors.

Create beauty one stitch at a time!

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Posted on November 4, 2020November 4, 2020 by Vytene — Leave a comment

How to Crochet Spiky Snowflakes?

Crochet Spiky snowflakes and decorate your Christmas tree, home or office this Holiday Season!

These spiky snowflakes also make a beautiful unique gift for anyone who appreciates handmade items.

To get your FREE Spiky Snowflake pattern:

I created this spiky snowflakes pattern after looking at lots of real snowflake photography online. So this pattern resembles a spiky snowflake variety in real life.

But to be honest, I found so many real snowflake variations that I realized, you can crochet almost any kind of imaginary snowflake and it will resemble a real-life one.

One common snowflake feature though, is that each snowflake always has 6 ‘branches’. That’s apparently, a scientific fact. But don’t quote me one that! I am only a crocheter and not a snowflake scientist J

If you want to learn to crochet these beautiful Spiky Snowflakes, you can get a FREE PATTERN HERE.

Level: Beginner friendly.

It is a very easy snowflake to crochet and is perfect for beginning crocheters because you need to know only very basic stitches – slip stitch, chain, double crochet (US terminology).

Materials and tools you will need:

0.75mm size hook. You can get it HERE
The yarn is 100% mercerized cotton 100g/ 570m approx. Anchor Freccia 12. You can get it HERE
Fabric stiffener. I have used Mod Podge Stiffy, you can get it HERE
Pins.
(Optional) Soft flat work top, you can also use a flat cushion.
A piece of cardboard and a plastic bag.
(Optional) A small painting brush.
Scissors and needle.

You may also like to crochet:

Sunshiny Snowflake, pattern HERE

Ornate Snowflake, pattern HERE.

Finishing Stage for Spiky Snowflakes

If you want to use your Spiky Snowflakes as a hanging décor element, you have to stiffen them after you have completed crocheting them.

For this step I use fabric stiffener called Mod Podge Stiffy, you can get it HERE. It works perfectly for me.

But you can also use homemade stiffeners such as water and glue mixture. Make sure the stiffener is strong enough to hold delicate branches and elements of this Spiky Snowflake.

For laying out and drying my snowflake, I use a soft board (a flat cushion will also work), put a piece of cardboard on top of it with a plastic bag covering.

For ease of access, I also use a small painting brush to apply the fabric stiffener. You can also apply your fabric stiffener with your fingers.

In many cases crocheters first apply the fabric stiffener and then lay out their snowflake to dry. In this case, I reverse the process because the snowflake has lots of small details, and it takes time to lay them out and pin them down precisely, the way I want them to look.

So I first lay out my snowflake and pin each detail in the way I want it to look in the final version. I prefer to lay it out with the wrong side facing up. This particular snowflake design has lots of small spikes, so I need quite a few pins to keep each spike in shape.

I then take my paint brush and apply the fabric stiffener quite generously, especially around the base of each branch. Make sure that each corner, each little spike and each branch vein have enough stiffener on them, so as the snowflake would hold its shape perfectly when dried.

Leave it to dry out.

24 hours later (or maybe even less)…

Voila! Your snowflake is ready for beautiful winter décor!

Get you FREE Spiky Snowflakes Pattern HERE

Create beauty one stitch at a time!

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Posted on October 8, 2020March 9, 2021 by Vytene — Leave a comment

Auntie Monika’s Granny Squares

A little story about this granny square pattern, which I have called Auntie Monika’s Granny Squares.

A couple of years ago, I inherited a couple of small handmade items when my Auntie Monika passed away. Among them, there was a set of crochet granny square napkins with a table runner. They were made from a very simple, crude-looking thread.

The set was lying there peacefully in my cupboard until one day I came rummaging around looking for some napkins for my glass dining table.

At first, I couldn’t find anything suitable, but then I noticed Auntie Monika’s set of granny square napkins…

I picked them up and thought to myself they will have to do for now until I find something better…

…and placed them on my glass table.

Suddenly, an unexpected transformation!

These granny square napkins transformed from something ordinary-looking, something I had seen a million times before, to unique table decor enhancing my contemporary and somewhat eclectic setting.

And it didn’t matter that the napkins were about 50 years old, made from the crudest thread you could find.

Suddenly, from an interim fill-in item, Auntie Monika’s granny square napkins transformed into something I absolutely love!

Auntie Monika's granny squares on tablecloth

I use them on my glass dining and coffee tables, I use them in my caravan. I use them as napkins for coffee cups as well as for placing hot items such as coffee pots or hot serving bowls.

And a huge bonus to all this experience is that every time I pick up the napkins, I spare a little thought to my auntie Monika, who crocheted these delightful napkins all those years ago.

My auntie didn’t leave the pattern. In fact, crochet and knitting was something she did but didn’t really talk about. For people of her generation, it was something ordinary, something everyone could do, like cooking a meal or weeding one’s garden.

But I think, these delightful granny squares deserve to be shared with the world!

Auntie Monika's granny squares made from DK yarn

So I reverse-engineered the pattern, wrote it down, took lots of process pictures and am happy to say the pattern is available now! Click HERE.

Auntie Monika's granny squares mint green napkin

These granny square napkins are so quick and easy to make. Plus, as any granny square, they have lots of potential uses!

For Step-by-step instructions downloadable PDF pattern:

Create beauty one stitch at a time!

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Posted on September 4, 2020March 9, 2021 by Vytene — 1 Comment

Crochet Monstera Leaves

Three Crochet Monstera Leaves – the newest addition to my collection of Irish Crochet patterns (available HERE).

Originally, I planned to crochet a set of Monstera Leaf coasters, like this one:

But, somehow, this project just grew the legs of its own and took off in a completely different direction than I originally planned!

So I ended up with a pair of earrings for a day

… a crochet Monstera leaves canvas…

…and no coasters at all…

I am glad to report though that the crochet Monstera Leaves picture has survived the creative process and is actually on my wall now.

Himself also likes it, and even uploaded the image as his smartphone screen background – I feel really flattered 🙂

I crocheted these Monstera Leaves using irregular Tunisian lace, a process I described before when creating a Rose for my Irish Crochet Dress.

Materials and Tools used for Monstera Leaves project:

The yarn is 100% mercerized cotton 100g/460m approx.

2. 1mm hook for two larger leaves and 0.75mm hook for the smallest leaf.

You could potentially go up to 1.5mm hook, but anything larger than that, will make the process very difficult as you will be crocheting on a flat surface.

3. Soft worktop or a flat cushion.

4. Pins, scissors, needle.

5. Printer to print out Monstera Leaves drawings.

The way the process works is:

You attach your drawing of a Monstera Leaf to a flat soft worktop (or a cushion).

You crochet irregular Tunisian lace looking at the wrong side of your crochet Monstera leaves. This is the same procedure as in any Irish crochet project when you are working on the lace. Keep attaching your lace to the surface as you go along.

After you have filled the space with the lace, remove your crochet Monstera leaves, turn them around and see the real picture. Finish off the edges, sew in the thread ends. And now repeat the process with two smaller leaves.