Traditional Irish Crochet | Mastering the Padding Cord

Irish crochet lace is more than just beautiful — it’s structural, sculpted, and deeply rooted in history. In this video, I’m introducing one of the most important techniques in traditional Irish lace: padding cord. Developed in 19th century Ireland, Irish crochet became known for its raised, dimensional motifs — flowers, leaves, shamrocks — all built over a cord foundation to create that iconic sculpted effect. Padding cord is what gives Irish lace its strength, texture, and unmistakable vintage character. In this tutorial, I cover: • A brief history of traditional Irish lace • What padding cord was historically made from • Why it was used • How to lay and crochet over padding cord • A clear demo using standard yarn (so you can actually see what’s happening) Whether you're new to Irish crochet or refining your technique, understanding padding cord will completely change how your motifs look and feel. This is the foundation of authentic Irish lace. More videos in this Irish Crochet series coming soon — including motif construction and joining techniques.