Irish Crochet Collar and Cuff Set Pattern #2254

Starting at neck edge, ch 238 (to measure about 14 inches), turn.

Sc in 3rd ch from hook (1 p made), ch 4, sc in 3rd ch from hook (another p made), ch 1, sc in 10th ch of foundation (counting back from 1st p made), ch 4, * make a p, ch 4, make another p, ch 1, skip 4 ch of foundation, sc in next ch, ch 4. Repeat from * across (46 loops). Ch 5, turn.

* Make a p, ch 4, make another p, ch 1, sc in loop between 2 p's of previous row. Ch 4, repeat from * across. Ch 5, turn. Hereafter repeat 2nd row increasing 4 loops at equal distances apart on next row, and every other row thereafter, until there are 70 loops in the row. Do not have increases fall over those of previous row. Work straight until work measures 2½ inches.

Work in pattern across 1st 15 loops, ch 5, turn. Hereafter decrease 3 loops at end of each row until 3 loops remain. Break off. Attach thread at opposite side and work to correspond. Break off.

Attach thread at beginning of foundation ch and work an edging around outer edges as follows: Ch 3, 2 dc in next loop, ch 2, 3 dc in same loop (1 shell made), * ch 2, sc in next loop, ch 2, in next loop work: 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc (another shell). Repeat from * around. Break off.

Starting at center, ch 8, join to form a ring.

Ch 6 (to count as dc and ch-3), * dc in ring, ch 3, repeat from * 4 more times, joining last ch 3 to 3rd st of ch-6 first made (6 sps).

Over each loop work: 1 sc, 1 half dc, 3 dc, 1 half dc, 1 sc.

Ch 5, * sc in 1st dc of 1st rnd, ch 5, repeat from * around.

Over each loop work: 1 sc, 1 half dc, 5 dc, 1 half dc, 1 sc.

Ch 7, * sc in sc between petals of 3rd rnd, ch 7. Repeat from * around.

Over each loop work: 1 sc, 1 half dc, 7 dc, 1 half dc, 1 sc. Break off.

Starting at center, ch 20, sc in 1st ch, * ch 20, sc in same place as last sc, repeat from * once more.

Make 24 sc in each ch-20 loop.

Sc in each sc of previous rnd. Then ch 24, turn and work 1 sc in each ch across, thus forming stem. Break off. Make 6 rosettes and 4 shamrocks and sew them on as in illustration.

Starting at lower edge, ch 188 (to measure about 12 inches), turn. Work in pattern as for collar (36 loops) for 1 inch. Hereafter decrease 1 loop at both ends of each row until 18 loops remain. Finish outer edges of cuffs as for collar.