I've just started trying to do Irish crochet, after thinking about it for several years. (Until recently, I was too busy to do any crocheting.)
I'm using a size 16 thread and a 0.75 mm hook. These are both larger than is usually used for Irish crochet, but they feel very tiny and all ten of my fingers feel like thumbs. Once I get used to working with this size, I'll try to use an even finer thread. In Irish crochet, threads as fine as size 50 are normally used.
For those of you who don't know Irish crochet, it is intended to look like lace, but is rather free form. You make various motifs with very fine thread, often working over one or more lengths of thicker thread to give a three-dimensional aspect to the motifs. The motifs tend to be flowers, vines, leaves (including shamrocks, of course), and scrolls. When you have enough of these motifs to form a desing, you then make a long chain to serve as the outline of the final piece, and baste this chain to a piece of paper or firm fabric in the shape you want. Then you baste all of the motifs inside the frame you've just made, and fill in the gaps with one of several special stitches that are usually composed of chain stitch and picots or knots. When it's finished, you cut the basting threads to free the piece from the paper backing.
I've decided to make some bookmarks to learn some of the stitches and techniques. It seems to me that the hook I'm using isn't really ideal for this kind of work. The thread tends to slip off it while I'm trying to pull it through. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good brand of steel hook for very fine work?
I'm also having a little trouble working over the padding cord, but I think that's getting easier.