Irish Crochet Motif

Love Letter

4 1/4" x 3 1/4"

by Ann Reillet 2015

www.crochetthread.wordpress.com

DIY Pattern

by Ann Reillet

www.crochetthread.wordpress.com March 11, 2015 California

Don't get me wrong, I love flowers. I'm just unconventional. I think any item of nostalgia is congruent with Irish Crochet. That's why I include skeleton keys and archery sets in my IC layouts.

Inspiration

Material Used: • Aunt Lydia’s Fine Crochet Thread, Size 20 (Ecru/Natural)

• DMC Perle Cotton Thread, Size 8 (Red)

• Steel Crochet Hook, Size 11 (1.10mm)

• Scissors, Needle (for weaving in tails)

• Sewing Thread and Sewing Needle

• Michael Miller Script Fabric Swatch (7"x8")

• Paper, Ruler, Scissors, Pen, Scotch Tape

• Scrap Lace Trim & 1/2" Velvet Ribbon

• Hook & Eye Clasp or Button

Tip: Start with the end in mind and work toward that achievement. 1. Fold a sheet of paper to the desired size and tear out the design.

2. Chose an open work crochet pattern such as a v-stitch, shell or strawberry lace. I’m using a 4-dc stacked shell.

Options:

3. Allow for shrinkage. Since my target size was eight (8) inches width, I started with a chain of ten (10) inches and even that was less than anticipated. It worked out to seven (7) inches, but that’s okay; finished size = 4 1/4" x 3 1/4"

Envelope: Chain 10" in., dc in 4th ch from hook, *sk 3, 4 dc in next, *repeat to end/ending with 2dc in last st. ch2 turn dc in turning st, working in the 2nd dc of each shell, work 4 dc in each shell across to end/ending with 2 dc in last st. ch2 turn, continue for 3 1/4" (17 rows). End. Break thread.

Back Sides and Bottom Fold. Fold sides at 3 shells on each side, in the remaining 4 1/4" area join thread on either side and work one (1) row of sc, then continue pattern for 17 rows, routinely narrowing the edge to a rectangular point. End. Break thread.

Tip: After working about 3 of the 17 rows, stop and sew the sides to the sc. As you work the 17 rows, fold the bottom over the sides to check progress on narrowing the edge. I used a piece of scotch tape to mark the ideal narrowing and used that as my guide.

Top Opening Fold. Join thread to top area and repeat pattern for 9 rows, sharply narrowing to a full triangular point. End. Break thread. Additional Decoration. Since the back of the envelope is "front side," decorate the top and bottom folds. Add flowers, vines or motifs and sew atop the fold in the area showing when the envelope is closed. I made a rick-rack border and sewed it around the top fold; any edging pattern will work. Another option would be to add lace or embroidered tulle trim.

Assemble Envelope. Iron, block and hand sew the side fold to the back fold. Leave the top flap open.

Letter. Cut a piece of Michael Miller Script Fabric to about 7 3/4" x 8" and fold, script showing. Iron with starch. Insert letter in envelope.

Wax Seal. Using red size #8 perle & #11 (1.10mm) hook, crochet a small circle to serve as the wax seal.

1) ch 4, 2dc-tog in 4th ch from hook, *ch 2, 3dc-tog in same, *repeat around 6 times, join with sl st 2) in each ch2 sp: sc-ch3-sc, join with sl st 3) in each ch3 sp: sc-sc-ch3-sc-sc, ch 5 between, join with sl st 4) in each ch5 sp, work 5 hdc and in each ch3 sp, work 3 hdc, join with sl st 5) work a sc crab-stitch around perimeter. End. Break thread. Weave in tail.

Accents. Embellish the back folds by adding lace, velvet, satin, etc... I tea-stained scraps of embroidered tulle trim and sewed that just under the rick rack trim on the top fold. Then I affixed the wax seal to the velvet trim and wrapped the trim around, tucking it under the top fold so the letter could still be opened. There’s a hook & eye clasp on the lower side of the wax seal. If you want to decorate the front of the envelope as well, add scrap sewing fabric, lace or Venise applique in the area for the stamp, addressee or return address area and hand sew.

The concept can be used to make other packets, like tea bags or flower seed packs.