Irish crochet lace dates back to the the 19th century famine in Ireland, where it was a way for women to make money. It used several weights of thread, and motifs were made separately, tacked to paper, and the spaces filled in with mesh. Specific patterns and designs were often closely guarded secrets, and the finished lace was highly valued! Today, Irish crochet lace has evolved and expanded a bit, but the mesh and the rose are still iconic facets of the art. And luckily, it’s no longer a secret! Here are 10 free Irish crochet lace patterns that you can make today!

10 Free Irish Crochet Lace Patterns

The Irish crochet lace industry died out as fashions changed and machine-made lace took over. The original pieces that survive can be seen in museums and are considered quite rare and valuable. Nowadays we can make our own – and as you can see here, “delicate” is no longer a requirement! I hope you found something here to inspire you to give Irish crochet lace a try! UPDATE! Be sure to also check out Crochet Thread where you’ll find lots more Irish Lace inspiration, including a Tutorial!

Be sure to check out and like the moogly Facebook page to get the latest updates, links, and sneak peeks. Moogly is also on Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, Sulia, and Google+ – come join the fun! You can contact me via the Facebook page or at [email protected]