CARRICKMACROSS, MAT

A charming piece of contemporary carrickmacross, purchased in Carrickmacross, Ireland in 1996. Carrickmacross was a dying technique. In 1984 Martha Hughes set up a Carrickmacross Lace Co-operative to encourage the teaching, stitching and selling of items in this technique to keep this needleart alive. She searched for patterns from nuns in convents which were closing down.
In the centre, the design has a circle 45mm diameter with a darning pattern. Around this are 4 heart shaped scrolls with Carrickmacross guipure cutwork oval in the centre. Scattered around are tiny floral eyelets and pops.