MAPLE
LEAF IRISH LACE MOTIF
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back to the Sweet Nothings Crochet blog and thanks for joining me once again as
we work on this new idea together.
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I’ve
made a similar Irish leaf motif which was part of a table coaster and then made
it into a pair of ear rings too.
I’m
going to use the similar idea to make this cute maple leaf motif and convert it
into a pendant.
So
come along and let’s see what we’re working on today.
Materials used :
Today
I’m using our lovely fine kankri / kamal kadai / polyester silk embroidery floss with a 1.3 mm crochet hook ;
Kankri
yarn is available only in India – and it is a fine embroidery floss / lace
yarn. This yarn is not specific for this pattern.
If you are making jewelry, may I suggest you use the finest yarn you can, with a suitable hook.
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well
International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.
Difficulty level : Advanced Skill level.
Abbreviations used : (Using U.S terminology)
lp(s) : Loop(s) hk : Hook
dc : Double crochet sp : Space
sl-st : Slip stitch ch : Chain
st(s) : Stitch(es)
yo : Yarn Over
Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot. https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot. https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro
Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k
First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M
What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY
Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo
Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0
Instructions using U.S terminology
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern. For your convenience there video tutorials through the blog too
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement.
This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project.
If
you want to make these into ear rings, just make two sets and show off your
creativity and individuality. I’d suggest that you make one first and see how
small / large it is, and then working with the yarns you have, tweak it to get
the size right.
Do
remember though, that you got these free pattern and idea from me here, so do
share my blog (URL or page link) when you show off your finished product.
Thanks.
How
do we work Irish lace?
We
start with a chain, and then we work up and down this chain in decreasing
lengths to get an off-set pattern. This
is all we basically do to get an Irish lace leaf pattern. To work our maple leaf, we will work one side
of our leaf and then spin around the base to the other side to mirror the leaf
pattern.
Generally
this pattern is worked in back loops only, but you could choose to work in the
back loops or in the sc full stitch. Totally up to you.
Assuming that you’re working the simpler
single crochet all through, that’s how I’ve written the pattern notes.
If you decide to work in back loop, well, you
just work sc-blo where ever you read ‘sc’.
I
have been inspired by this maple leaf motif http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/2737904/post230580999/ which does
not have a written pattern. These are my
notes as I work on my project.
As
we work up and down a row, may I suggest that you start each row with a ch 1 ,
that works as a neat turning chain. I am
not writing this out, just in case you are able to access that first stitch
without a turning chain then go ahead – no fuss and confusion needed.
Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA
Start Row 1 : with 9 fsc.
Turn.
In
the following row, we will work till the end of the fsc chain and then work
around the bottom of the chain to the other side – all in one continuous
movement.
Row 2 : sl-
st in the 1st fsc ; sc in the 6 fsc ;
5 sc in the next fsc ;
Turn
(and working along the other side of the fsc chain),
sc in the next 76 fsc. Turn.
Mark
the centre sc of the 5-sc set right at the bottom.
Why
do we need this marker? If you decide to
make a larger leaf for say a table coaster or another project, you just start
with a different length of fsc, and then using this idea, work your own larger
project. You just need to remember that
each row needs to start at a different level – so just sl-st past the 1st
few stitches and then you need to ‘grow’ the bottom of your leaf – so you will
work extra stitches in that marked centre stitch each row. Easy enough, right?
Row 3 : sl-st
in the 1st sc ; sc in the
next 7 sc ;
5
sc in the next sc ; sc in the next 7 sc.
Turn. Move marker.
Row 4 : sl-st
in the 1st 2 sc ; sc in the
next 6 sc ;
5
sc in the next sc ; sc in the next 6 sc.
Turn. Move marker.
Row 5 : sl-st
in the 1st 2 sc ; sc in the
next 6 sc ;
5
sc in the next sc ; sc in the next 6 sc.
Turn. Move marker.
Row 6 : sl-st
in the 1st 4 sc ; sc in each
sc till 1 st before marked sc ;
5
sc in the marked sc ;
sc
in the each sc till the last 4 sc ;
leave
last 4 sc unworked ; ch 5, Turn.
Move marker.
We
are now going to work a side extension on our leaf with a few chain, and then
work down that newly made chain, and down the leaf we have been working
on.
Row 7 : sc
in the 2nd ch from hk and the next 4 ch ;
sc
in each sc till 1 st before marked sc ;
5
sc in the marked sc ;
sc
in the each sc till the last 4 sc ;
leave
last 4 sc unworked ;
ch
5, Turn. Move marker.
Once again we will extend along both
sides of our leaf.
Row 8 : sc
in the 2nd ch from hk and the next 4 ch ;
sc
in each sc till 1 st before marked sc ;
5
sc in the marked sc ;
sc
in the each sc till the end ;
ch
4, Turn. Move marker.
Row 9 : sc
in the 2nd ch from hk and the next 2 ch ;
sc
in each sc till 1 st before marked sc ;
5
sc in the marked sc ;
sc
in the each sc till the end ;
ch
4, Turn. Move marker.
We
now need to reduce our leaf structure but still build on it along the sides
Row 10 : sl-st
in the 1st 2 sc ; sc in the
next 10 sc ;
Turn.
Row 11 : sc
in the 1st sc and in each sc till end ; ch 3, Turn.
Now
we need to join this little extension to the main maple leaf. So first we work down the row, and then work
under the sts of Rows 10/11 to join onto the main maple leaf.
Row 12 : sc
in the 2nd ch from hk, and in the next ch ;
sc in the next 10 sc ;
sc under the sts of Rows 10/11 ;
sc in the next 2 sts of the maple leaf
body. Turn.
Row 13 : sc
in the 1st sc and in each sc till 2 sc before end ;
leave
last 2 sts unworked Turn.
Row 14 : sl-st
in the 1st 2 sc ;
sc in the
each sc till you reach the main maple leaf ;
sc
in the next 2 sts of the maple leaf body.
Turn.
Rows 15 - 16 : Rep Rows 13 – 14
[You
are now at the bottom (marked) st of your maple leaf].
Continue sc in the
each sc till the 2 sts before the end ;
Leave
last 2 sts unworked, Turn.
Now
we just need to mirror the side leaf for the other side, and we’re done !
Row
numbering wise, we are not ‘technically’ at the 17th row.. as we are
working the sides – but for convenience, I’m going to continue numbering.
Before
we head off, I need you to visualize what we are going to do.
We
have a center maple leaf body, and we have done one side ‘extension’.
Row 17 : sl-st
in the 1st 2 sts ; sc in the next 10 sc. Turn.
Row 18 : sc
in the 1st sc and in each sc till 2 sts before end ;
Leave
last 2 sts unworked, Turn.
Now
once again, we need to join this little extension to the main maple leaf. So first we work down the row, and then work
under the sts of Rows 17/18 to join onto the main maple leaf.
Row 19 : sl-st
in the 1st 2 sc ;
sc in the
each sc till you reach the main maple leaf ;
sc under the sts of Rows 17/18 ;
sc in the next 2 sts of the maple leaf body.
Turn.
Rows 20 – 23 : Rep Rows 13 - 16
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