If you love the look of vintage lace crochet, but despair of finding something beautiful in thrift shops, you'll love these ways to recreate old favorites and give them a modern new twist.
While lace patterns dropped out of use for a while, now they are right back in fashion and are not as tricky as they look. Have a look at our pick of the best lace patterns out there.
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1. Hairpin lace crochet
Hairpin lace is a very old form of crochet, but worked in a bright modern yarn it looks really fresh and appealing. It's ideal for making scarves and shawls. Find a free download pattern here.
2. Irish crochet
Irish crochet has its roots way back in the 18th century. It became a vital support for many Irish families during the potato famines in the mid-19th century, as the lace could be sold to provide an income. Historically, the lace has tended to be white and involves delicate, inter-connected motifs. One of the prettiest reinventions of the art is this large-scale shawl, here made in white but also stunning in bright colors:
Irish crochet has its roots way back in the 18th century. It became a vital support for many Irish families during the potato famines in the mid-19th century, as the lace could be sold to provide an income. Historically, the lace has tended to be white and involves delicate, inter-connected motifs. One of the prettiest reinventions of the art is this large-scale shawl, here made in white but also stunning in bright colors:
3. Filet crochet
Filet crochet is a delicate web-like pattern which can be used on its own to create dainty window treatments or tablecloths, or can be amalgamated with other stitches to make more complicated lace projects. The great thing about filet is that it is really not difficult. Here's a 1940s filet pattern:
Filet crochet is a delicate web-like pattern which can be used on its own to create dainty window treatments or tablecloths, or can be amalgamated with other stitches to make more complicated lace projects. The great thing about filet is that it is really not difficult. Here's a 1940s filet pattern:
And here's a modern filet pattern.
4. Pineapple Lace stitch
The Pineapple Lace stitch is a vintage pattern which is still going strong. Historically, pineapples were considered to be symbols of hospitality, and you would often find this motif on tablecloths and napkins to welcome visitors. Today, the stitch makes a beautiful lacy shawl or stole.
The Pineapple Lace stitch is a vintage pattern which is still going strong. Historically, pineapples were considered to be symbols of hospitality, and you would often find this motif on tablecloths and napkins to welcome visitors. Today, the stitch makes a beautiful lacy shawl or stole.
5. Broomstick lace
As its name suggests, broomstick lace crochet was once made on broom handles. Nowadays you can use a lolly stick, thick knitting needle or yes, even a broomstick to create the characteristic loops of the pattern. As you'll see, once the loops have been made, they are secured into clusters with single crochets, making this spectacular pattern surprisingly easy to create. Broomstick lace looks wonderful made up with variegated yarn into a scarf or throw.
As its name suggests, broomstick lace crochet was once made on broom handles. Nowadays you can use a lolly stick, thick knitting needle or yes, even a broomstick to create the characteristic loops of the pattern. As you'll see, once the loops have been made, they are secured into clusters with single crochets, making this spectacular pattern surprisingly easy to create. Broomstick lace looks wonderful made up with variegated yarn into a scarf or throw.
6. Modern lace
Proving that crochet is a living, growing art, there are hundreds of modern lace patterns out there which take the basis of lace crochet from centuries ago and update it to suit modern tastes. This simple top-down (unfitted) shawl is a beautiful example of an easy pattern you can make in lace crochet:
Proving that crochet is a living, growing art, there are hundreds of modern lace patterns out there which take the basis of lace crochet from centuries ago and update it to suit modern tastes. This simple top-down (unfitted) shawl is a beautiful example of an easy pattern you can make in lace crochet:
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