Designs and Instructions for Irish Crochet Lace #225854

In the sprays the cord padding is an important factor, for by its tightness or looseness, stems or leaves of various designs can be curved in any direction desired and give a life-like appearance to the flower, which the counted stitches alone can never give. The directions for a spray may be followed very carefully by two work ers, and yet they may obtain quite different results. When a spray shows signs of getting either saucer shaped or frilled, when it should lie flat, the worker will have to use her own discretion, increasing or diminishing number of stitches in order to bring out the desired result. The aim of the worker should be, to pro duce the most artistic work she is capable of; if, by altering a curve or adding a leaf to any spray she can create a design more pleasing to herself, she should not hesitate to follow her own inclination. These instructions are intended for those who wish to become good workers, and to them it is necessary to explain the object in View. They must understand that two workers seldom work alike, and the same spray from these directions, by two different persons, might turn out to be of a different size. In order to teach each detail in a clear manner it is necessary to give exact number of stitches for it, but when it is once mastered a worker may discontinue the counting. Every worker after a time should be able to work from a drawing and until she can at least to some extent follow one the highest perfection in Irish crochet can not be obtained. Careful observation, however, will soon enable anyone to work any flower, composed of rings and petals, from a drawing.