Our day with Máire Treanor was absolutely wonderful!  Our small class of 7 learned the secret of the Clones knot and a little irish rose.  Irish lace crochet is the original freeform crochet, with individual motifs joined with a mesh as the designer/crocheter sees fit.  I am now SO inspired to dive deeper into some lace projects and not be afraid of the thread and hook.

Máire crochets swiftly and gracefully and her creativity shines through in her work.  She is so kind and she puts you at ease – if you chain 3 instead of 4, that’s ok because it’s freeform!

All of us completed a rose and worked on our Clones knot, each of us finding our preferred number of wraps to complete the knot.  Next time I pick up my hook, I’ll start in on the shamrock included in her class instructions.  You can bet I have stashed the last few issues of Interweave Crochet, in which Máire’s designs and articles have been featured!

 

 

 

In addition to our crash course in Clones techniques, Máire brought a wealth of information on the history of Irish lace with some beautiful antique samples and a slideshow presentation.

 

 

I hope you feel inspired to click over to Máire’s website, browse her designs on Ravelry and check out her videos on YouTube.  Just prior to visiting us, she was in Colorado filming a DVD with Interweave!  We know that this is just the beginning for her and the promotion of Clones Irish lace in the U.S. and were so happy to be a part of it.  Her book, Clones Lace: The Story and Patterns of an Irish Crochet is available here at the store – 3 signed copies are in stock!