Clones Lace Master Class (Spring 2025)

We are delighted to welcome back instructor Máire Treanor for this two-day textile master class dedicated to historical aspects of Irish crochet and Clones lace, a crochet technique that gained popularity for its delicate, intricate design elements. Under Máire's guidance, you'll learn how to crochet the Clones knot and a variety of motifs, including the Wild Irish Rose, shamrock, and buttony; how to combine Clones lace designs; and more.

Clones lace is an Irish crochet created during the Great Irish Famine in the late 1840s and named after the town in County Monaghan. At the height of the Famine, women and children became the main earners in thousands of families, and within a short period of time, nearly every family in the area was involved in its production. Supplying fashion markets in Dublin, London, Paris, Rome, New York, and San Francisco, Clones soon became the most important center of crochet lace making in the north of Ireland, while Cork was the leading center in the south of the country.

Some familiarity with crocheting is helpful, but not required. Beginners and improvers are welcome.

Materials are included with the cost of purchase. If you choose to bring your own, we will be using #10 or #20 hooks with #10 or #20 mercerized thread for beginners, and #60 and #80 thread for improvers with .60mm or .50mm hooks. Máire's book, Clones Lace, 2nd Edition, will be available for sale.