HOOKY TREASURE

A modern Irish freeform pullover inspired Gwen McGannon to make her dress

My love affair with crochet began over 20 years ago, and has never stopped. I still crochet every day – I love the art of it and really enjoy learning new techniques whenever or however I can. To feed my obsession for hooky progression, over the years I’ve sigend up to a whole host of online classes with Blueprint (formerly Craftsy). One of my absolute favourites is modern Irish freeform with Myra Wood. As I followed along with this class, I made a lace sleeveless pullover. I absolutely loved it and even as I was finishing it, I knew I would make another. Interestingly, later down the line I wore my crafted pullover when attending my first CGOA (Crochet Guild of America) Chain Link conference in Chicago and was delighted to have a chance meeting with Myra, the class creator!

It was at my second Chain Link conference in Portland that I had the idea to crochet a dress in the modern Irish technique. It started with crocheting a collection of motifs, in total about 300 flowers. The size of the flower motifs ranged in size from very small to fairly large. For the neckline I created a Bruges lace band that included the neckline and armholes. I cut out a gridline template for the finished shape, then arranged the motifs. Then I started connecting them with a crochet netting, occasionally pausing to try it on to make sure it would fit. The process of connecting all the motifs took about three weeks to finish. My family was delighted when I was finally finished as while I was working on it they’d had pitch in and help out with cooking dinners! To finish the dress, I crocheted a band of Bruges lace for the bottom hem.

I completed the dress in time to submit it to the CGOA design competition, and the fashion show for the Chain Link conference earlier this year in Manchester, New Hampshire. For me, the best bit of the conference was taking part in the fashion show, showing off the gorgeous dress that I had created with the art form that I love.

Now that have made one dress, maybe I will make another. And hopefully, my work will inspire others to learn this technique and create beautiful freeform crochet pieces of their own!

Check out Gwen McGannon’s pretty clasp purse, part of our quick-hook Christmas gifts collection from page 14. Find her online at www.gwengoods.com