My Irish Crochet sample is growing, slowly but surely. I had to redo some sections of the background several times before I was pleased with it. See the pink line in the photo? It shows, more-or-less, the direction of the very simple background mesh I am crocheting between the motifs.
Inside the turquoise circle at the right, you can see how the background isn’t quite level with the corresponding rows elsewhere in the sample. That’s one section I will pull out and redo. Keeping rows even and level will get easier with practice.
One of my favorite tricks is to crochet a good-sized sample of the background stitch. It helps me get used to the stitch pattern for one thing. Also, I can use the sample to help me visualize how the ground will meet the motifs.
Here’s a photo of the background sample lying on top of the actual piece. In the pink circle the sample lines up with the background I have already crocheted. In the turquoise circle, you can see how the stitches might meet up with the flower motif. I will use this as a guide to help me place the stitches when I get to that point.
Speaking of Irish Crochet, I have been working on some class proposals for the Knit and Crochet Show in July 2010. One of the classes is about Irish Crochet. Wish me luck!
