Learning to Crochet; a lesson in perseverance

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Art, Arts, Aurélie Mathigot, Calico & Ivy, Colour, community, craft, Crochet, Crochet Class, Crystal Gregory, Design, Emily Barletta, Fiber art, Knitting and Crochet, Margaret Oomen, Nathan Vincent, Olek, Purl Bee, Sophie Digard, Surface Design, Sydney

Crochet has morphed from homespun to hot. (Janet Bennett Kell)

Regular TSL readers will know that I am attempting to learn the craft of crochet. I’m adding it to my growing list of ‘haberdashery classes‘. Last Wednesday, I had my first crochet class. Apparently, anyone can learn to crochet. This is according to my lovely crochet teacher, Jane. I think I may be the exception. I’m not kidding. There are four of us in the class. For the purposes of this post, let’s call my fellow students Lucy, Hermione and Elle*.

Lucy, I already know. She and I went to surface design school together, She is an amazingly talented seamstress, who also knits. I can’t knit. I can’t be taught to knit. This is a fact. I have accepted this failure in myself. Everyone says crochet is easier. I think they are lying. Anyway, back to Lucy… Of course, given her previously listed talents, you know I’m going to tell you that she is a natural. Her crochet sample looked perfect. It was flat and symmetrical. Her tension was consistent.

Then, there is Hermione. Hermione seems just lovely. It may be a front, though – Hermione has ‘taught herself to crochet from You Tube‘. Seriously. I think she’s our girly-swat. There’s one in every class. In addition, she has almost completed the blanket from the Purl Bee that was one of my inspirations for learning to crochet and attending a beginners crochet class. This just blows my mind. Here it is:

The ‘one of my reasons for learning to crochet‘ Granny Stripe Blanket from Purl Bee
(Image sourced from Purl Bee)

I kid you not – Hermione has almost completed this gorgeous blanket.

And, then there’s Elle. Elle, who is a hoot, has decided she has reached an age where she should take up some form of craft. I hope I’m not giving any of her secrets away when I say she bought back her two recent knitted contributions to the school fair. It does mean that she can knit, which is a lot more than I can do. But, Elle gives me some hope…

I know you think I am exaggerating about my incompetence. That’s because you’re all so lovely and generous. I’m not exaggerating. Here is the evidence:

The TSL Crochet Sample
It is supposed to be a neat rectangle. Jane thinks it looks like a fish.
(Image by TSL)

Just in case you’re wondering, class ran for 4 hours. This tiny wee sample is the sum total of my efforts. 

The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it (Molière)

I have determined, thanks to my mate Molière, that I am not (yet) going to let the craft of crochet beat me. I will persevere. I am so in awe of many of the incredible fibre artists out there.  Here are just a few examples of why I will continue to try and learn the, possibly futile, art of crochet:

Little Urchin Covered Sea Stones by Margaret Oomen
(Image sourced from Purl Bee)

I am so enamoured of these beautiful sea stones. I’d like to make a bowl-full.

Crochet Piano by Olek
(Image © Olek)

The amazing Olek and her incredible crochet installations are inspiring.

Foundation 1 by Crystal Gregory
(Image © Crystal Gregory)

I love how Crystal Gregory’s crochet art explores ideas of pattern and gender within domestic spaces.

Radical Linen by Aurélie Mathigot
(Image sourced from Feel the Yarn)

I would like a few pieces of Aurélie Mathigot’s imaginary forest from her Radical Linen installation.

Male Symbol by Nathan Vincent
(Image © Nathan Vincent)

I would love a piece of Nathan Vincent’s work for my wall.

Flesh Spot by Emily Barletta
(Image © Emily Barletta)

I have already blogged about the very talented Emily Barletta here.

Alpaca Brooch by Sophie Digard
(Image sourced from Art at Heart)

And, the delicate works of Sophie Digard here.

If you live in Sydney and you would like to learn how to crochet, Calico & Ivy run classes for the absolute beginner.

I’ll keep you posted!

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent

Emily Barletta and Her Red Thread…

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Artist, Colour, Crafts, creativity, culture, Design, Emily Barletta, Exhibition, Fiber art, Fine art, Maryland Institute College of Art, Photos, Stitch, style, Thread

Fresh after her recent exhibition at the group showing, ‘The Sum of the Parts’ at the Maryland Art Place in Baltimore, the very talented Emily Barletta has just added some new works to her portfolio.  I think they are gorgeous in their simplicity, especially when compared to some of her more complex (yet equally fab’) pieces.

Have a look some of the new stitched pieces and see what you think:

Untitled (big circle) by Emily Barletta (2011)
thread and paper

Untitled 2 by Emily Barletta (2011)
thread and paper

Untitled 10 by Emily Barletta (2011)
thread and paper

Apparently, Ms Barletta has loved needlework and crafts since her childhood in Utah.  After graduating from Baltimore’s Maryland Institute College of Art with a bachelor’s degree in fibre arts, she embarked on a path utilising techniques she had previously used in her hobbies and applying them to fine art.

I love the way her work has an organic feel to it, and the way she interprets old home-style crafts into incredible and detailed modern works of fibre art.

I would love the ‘untitled 10′ piece for my wall.

Alternatively, a bowl of these would make me happy:

Untitled (rocks) by Emily Barletta (2010)
thread, felt, and rocks, mixed sizes

Go and check out some of her other work at EmilyBarletta.com.  It’s amazing!

(All images sourced from Emily Barletta’s website)