chain creative

A trip round the East End

2010-09-20T00:52:00.000-07:00

Last week was the start of many a college's autumn timetable. Tutors and staff were shuffling papers and generally gearing up for a bunch of new students. The University of East London was certainly in a fevered state on Friday as it was a staff training day and there were busy groups of tutors and librarians having fun trying out new skills.

Circus skills, origami, photography and (I'm pleased to say) the most popular, crochet. Sixteen of the library staff rolled up at the door for an hour's speed-learning. I must say it was pretty impressive as the majority had never lifted knitting needles let alone a crochet hook and by the end of the hour all of them had got off the starting blocks and some had even got the basic knowledge to enthusiastically go off and continue the good work.

I've since heard that this is exactly what happened and that scarves and I don't know what have been crafted since!

Forget about paint-balling or brain-storming. Just learn to crochet for your training days!!!

Inside Crochet - new designs

2010-08-06T04:52:00.000-07:00

I'm very pleased with the latest edition of Inside Crochet which is featuring the pattern for my mesh dress and their back page column of some of my crochet musings!! My friend and collaborator in makedomend, Claire Montgomerie, has taken over the editorial helm so I'm expecting some super new designs to start appearing between the pages!!!

The mesh dress was actually a project for myself but Claire saw it and whisked it away to the IC studios for featuring in their revamp edition. I had been inspired by the sport wear on the catwalks this season and particularly the shift tunics of the Y-3 collection.

Magazines are often a great way to pick up on good patterns, tips and interviews and coming from the Yarn Forward stable, I'm sure Inside Crochet will become a 'must have' for any ardent crocheter.

Joining up the grannies

2010-07-14T00:42:00.000-07:00

One of our lovely guests at the makedomend London workshops recently wrote to me to ask how to join the motifs of a blanket she's making as a gift. Our granny square workshops are very popular and it would be nice to pass on the knowledge of how to join all the lovely squares that we make.

Well, it's really a question of how many ways are there? Hmm, alot. So here are a few tips I found on the net but if you've got others then send them in!!

http://www.crochetnmore.com/joiningsquares.htm

http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa010999.htm

The last one has some pictures to help you along which always is a step in the right direction.

wood and wool stool

2010-06-24T01:17:00.000-07:00

As you know, I love to bring you little precious gems from the world of crochet and this is a particularly lovely one that I discovered - well, I just don't know how - it was like discovering treasure. Ingrid Jansen is a designer from the Netherlands and she is a very modest person! Her blog profile is so understated but I'll let you draw your own conclusions! I love the inspiring images on both the blog and her website and she has many fans worldwide for her 'little company'! Hope you like it too! And you who love granny squares, it's summertime, so be inspired by Ingrid's bunting garland. The wonderful colours are one of the particular attractions of Ingrid's work and her images perfectly capture this. I really loved the colour punch of the Ionie hanger, you can almost hear the Mediterranean at your open window!!Hej, I'm Ingrid Jansen and I run a little company called WOOD & WOOL STOOL in the Netherlands. A few years ago I designed my first (recycled) wooden stool with a crocheted cover for my home. Since then I've made a lot of stools and other interior objects.'

Loop Knitting Lounge

2010-05-31T11:26:00.000-07:00

Some excellent news for all yarn crazy folk is breaking!! Stop the press - Loop Knitting is moving!!
As many of you already know, Loop is a mecca for all knitters and crocheters both in the UK and from very (we're talking global) far afield. Susan Cropper, who owns this wonder of the London craft scene, has created a unique destination shop for everything you could possibly want to create your own beautiful piece of knitwear. From classes to 4-ply, haberdashery to silken thread, it's all there and now it's expanding and moving lock, stock up the road to 15 Camden Passage, conveniently located a mere stone's throw from Angel tube station and any number of buses to whisk you there and back again barely lifting your groaning bag of goodies.
In addition to all of this there is now more ways than one to get into the Loop vibe from Twitter, Facebook and Loop's very own blog, LoopKnitLounge! Chaincreative welcomes Loop to the world of blogging and will definitely be rushing hot-foot to the new store, opening on Saturday 12 June.

Projects galore

2010-05-27T00:43:00.000-07:00

I've been away from the chaincreative desk these days for a variety of reasons, the most important being that I've been doing some designing for two publications that might be of interest to you. The Art of Crochet is an subscribe-online publication that mixes patterns with tips and techniques so is a big mix of all that you might need to get started with crochet without having to leave your home. I've been welcomed on board with a pattern for an evening top which will be coming out during the summer so if you're interested then mosey on over to them.The other publication I've been contributing to is Inside Crochet which is the sister publication of Yarn Forward and is available through newsagents. It has a good mix of patterns and interviews (look out for my Q & A with Jo Hamilton who've I've featured here at chaincreative!) and has some nicely up-to-the-minute designs which are sorely needed. Keep your eyes peeled for designs by yours truly and I'm really enjoying putting my crochet talents (!) to good use. Hope you agree!!

Crochet a dress - creative stamina required!

2010-04-27T00:44:00.000-07:00

When Claire and I finish a beginners' or intermediate crochet class for makedomend I often wonder what our happy, smiley crocheters are going to make when they get home with their new-found skill! When we ask people why they are particularly interested in learning how to crochet they might say that they want to be able crochet flowers or motifs (granny squares, of course!) or they would love to make trims for well-loved garments that need an update.
I always hope that there will be some maverick who will pipe up that they want to make clothes. It sounds ambitious, I know, but it's not outside the realms of possibility. Problems arise when you realise how few really good commercial patterns there are. In desperation you can resort to the world of vintage. Crochet pattern central is a good place to start if that's your chosen route.I'm quite excited at the moment as I've been asked to design an evening top for an online pattern company (I'll keep you posted when the deal's sealed!!) but on the whole there is a very large and gaping hole.
Inspiration is all over the catwalks and has been for some time. I'm happy to draw your attention to all the wonderful crochet from Chanel, Dolce and Gabbana and Yamamoto. I love fashion and I want to encourage all crochet-addicts to get stuck in and design their own clothes.
Here's some more inspiration from a new kid on the fash block. Mark Fast, a Canadian based in London, has caused quite a stir by using what I would call normal looking models. Women of shape!! Why I appreciate him for in particular is his use of crochet styling in his very fitted garments. It might not be very 'high street' but it certainly is inspiring. Talking of high street, his collection for Top Shop goes on stream in June and there's a wonderful crochet skirt that will have you puzzling how it's made and feeling rather pleased with yourself when you know! The examples I've shown are all from his spring/summer 2010 collection.

Jo Hamilton - artist and crocheter

2010-04-12T00:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I must have been dozing on duty because I missed this Portland, Oregon-based artist. Although trained in Fine Art at Glasgow School of Art, Jo Hamilton has branched out into using crochet as a medium of expression. I'm going to link you to some of the bloggers who have already featured her as her work has been noticed by more observant people than me!!!I'm going to just say that her cityscapes are what attracted me and I'm going to use this introduction to Jo Hamilton's work as a springboard for featuring some other 'landscape' crochet in the future. So - watch this space...crocheted of course.

The BibliophileWeblog

Dangerous Minds

Emma Lamb

Simple mesh

2010-03-29T01:04:00.000-07:00

Over at makedomend you might have noticed that I've gone crazy for mesh. My intermediate class on Sunday were happy to indulge me and they happily crocheted mesh as if their lives depended on it, amongst other things!
The reason why I'm happy to return to the simple things of life is that often they are the most effective. My scarflettes were so easy and allowed me to buy more yarn in order to make them. Hmm, excellent reason!!

Then I saw these fabulous examples in the latest Y-3 collection from Yohji Yamamoto so that's going to be another yarn hunt and then the cute vest from rag and bone. I really like their philosophy of production. See what you think...
'Beginning in Kentucky, rag & bone surrounded themselves with people who had been making patterns, cutting fabric and sewing their whole lives. Working with these kinds of craftsmen taught them the importance of quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail early on.'
To that end, we all want to perfect our craftmanship through workshops, classes and just plain practice.

Simple samples

2010-03-23T02:46:00.000-07:00

When life is a bit too busy to even draw breath it's even more important to have my crochet with me. Lots of train journeys give me plenty of time to get to grips with the project mountain. My latest was using some of my favourite yarns in some simple mesh scarflettes. I had some Habu yarn on a cone which was more beautiful in it's raw state than worked up so I left it. Then I couldn't stand it any longer and out came the 1.75mm hook and away I went with a really simple mesh pattern. I was so pleased with the result that I made another muffler out of Berroco Alpaca Light in the divinest shade of marine blue. I love both of them and was so pleased with the pattern. It's drawn comments but is so basic that it taught me a lesson. Keep it simple for maximum impact.

I like these other examples too.There are still a couple of places left on the Intermediate Crochet at Kingly Court, W1 on Sunday for anyone interested. Contact makedomend@live.co.uk for details.

I maestri - crochet from Dolce e Gabbana

2010-03-11T00:39:00.000-08:00

Completely forgot to mention the house of Dolce and Gabbana in my crochet fashion lace post. How could I manage that?! It was well and truly on my radar this season and there had been some splendid pictures in February Vogue that had set crochet tongues wagging.
So, very sorry to the boys and here is my favourite blooms of the latest collection courtesy of Plays with Needles.

Lace and crochet

2010-03-08T01:07:00.000-08:00

Ooo, lace is sooo crochet. Or crochet can be soo lace(y). We do tend to neglect the lovely laceyness of crochet. I'm up to my eyes in work but can just see the wood for the crochet hooks and wanted to just say that I've been mostly thinking - lace and fashion.

Maybe it's La Gaga or just the passing of the fantastic(al) Lee McQueen but I just can't wait to get my finest crochet hooks out and get cracking on something lacey. Maybe similar to my Nico dress in Vintage Crochet.
Inspiration have come from the fashion shows in Milan and latterly London and it will be a feature of the catwalks for evermore I'm sure. Crochet gets a peek in there too. The lovely striped Missoni top is fresh, trendy and crochet!!! Hurrah.

How crochet is this handbag from Zagliani.

Flying the flag - From Britain with Love

2010-02-24T00:49:00.000-08:00

In my other life as a Mender at makedomend I am so pleased to say that we are listed amongst the wonderful new design-gathering at From Britain with Love. You really can't better their mission statement "Hello and welcome to FromBritainWithLove.com - the brand new online guide to all things beautiful and British made.
Our mission is very simple... we want to let people know that there are beautiful things being made in studios, workshops, factories and farms across Britain every day, and our aim is to help you find them." and I heartily raise a cheer to that!! There is so much talent churning around in field and backstreet and we do need to nurture that. Amazingly, despite the growth and decline of the high street this country still keeps a strong design heart beating but we do need lovely websites like this to keep it in good health. Hurrah.

I thought I'd make a little personal selection from their comprehensive list and this is what I found in a very unmethodical 5 minute survey!!

Smith & Coates - handmade, recycled clothes for adults and children with cute crochet trims and embellishments.

Andrea Williamson - colourful and cosy knitted accessories
Jennifer Collier - innovative textiles and craft pieces

Of course, that is a random and small selection. If you're a design and handmade freak like me then you're going to love visiting From Britain. God save that!!

Leanda Xavian - crochet and colour

2010-02-13T00:44:00.000-08:00

With all the crochet going on here at chaincreative I should be beginning to look like a crochet hook. Preparations for the makedomend are going apace and the granny square workshop is full to bursting and waiting for all the lovely patterns we've devised for them. I wanted to introduce the workshop, not only to the more simple methods of making squares, but to the more challenging and interesting. I felt it was important that we introduced everyone as to how to make the designs really zing. As you know, Sarah London is a big favourite here so we shall certainly be checking out her work. Emma Lamb is another new discovery and we shall be definitely exploring all her beautiful crochet. In addition, we'll take a peek at the designs of a good crochet friend of chaincreative, Leanda Xavian, of One Loop Short and her new persona, One Little Bird. Her inspirations are beautifully illustrated in one of her many lovely mosaics above. Leanda certainly knows how to photograph her work to make it really leap out from the screen and drive you to the yarns you've been saving and get going on yet another blanket.

She very kindly agreed to jot down some thoughts on crochet and her inspirations which I think you'll find very instructive and may ring some bells for you. How many of us learnt some of our skills from a member of the family only to find that there were more things to learn and not enough time.

'I’ve wanted to be able to crochet since I can’t remember. Both my grandmothers crocheted, but they lived too far away for me to sit down with them and watch. My mother taught me to knit a bit. But I always wanted to learn crochet, but thought it was just too difficult.'

Teaching yourself crochet is a minefield. Alot of the students I teach are refugees from their own attempts to learn on their own. Doing so can lead to disappointment and a sense of failure and frustration.

'Every time I picked up a ‘learn-to-crochet’ book I was throwing my hook down in frustration after 5 minutes. That’s because a lot of these ‘teach yourself’ books start with a foundation chain, which you are then supposed to build on with single crochets and double crochets and so on. Not only is working back along a chain one of the hardest things to do in crochet, it’s also boring to work row upon row of the same stitch.'

So using a book or having tuition are one way into the craft. The starting point can be in a variety of ways but Leanda has some suggestions for that.

'If you are learning to crochet you must start with a granny square, as a child would. Working in the round is so much easier than row work and if you end up with something pretty after half an hour you feel like you’ve really achieved something. And this is good news if you have always hankered to make a doily. It’s a lot easier than it looks. Crochet is easier than knitting full stop.'

Now for some design tips. Listen up and really get some inspiration.

'The other advantages of crochet are the amount of yarn you use compared to knitting. Much less that’s for sure. You can make something beautiful from the merest scrap of yarn. And what is particularly exciting about crochet is that there are absolutely no rules when it comes to colour combinations. Just go for it! Just look at all those amazing vintage blankets that your grannies made. They used anything that was to hand. And it just works. So experiment, go wild. You will be pleasantly surprised!'
The next few tips are straight out of chaincreative wish-list. Thank you, Leanda, you've listed all the most important advise I would offer any serious student of crochet. Look and learn!!! I've italicised the bits I particularly love.

'I don’t have any particular method when I’m starting a project. I just remember wanting to be able to do everything at first, so I pushed myself to use a tiny hook very early on. I thought if I could make a vintage doily I could make anything. So I’m very into thread crochet and how beautiful and delicate it is. But I equally love big chunky yarns so it just depends on my mood. I discovered Japanese pattern books, which are simply amazing and they’ve inspired me greatly. And if you can I would advise you to learn to read symbol charts early on. They really are so much easier to follow than written instructions so persevere if they seem alien at first.'

Thank you again, Leanda, for your kind words and help on writing this blog and for the use of all your beautiful images.

I love these designer interviews as they open up a windown on how people go about a skill that I think can give endless possiblilities to your creative instincts. I never thought that after so many years of writing this blog I would still be discovering new designers and ideas. I'm hooked!!

Alexander McQueen - Designer

2010-02-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

I heard with such sadness of the death of Alexander McQueen today. The circumstances and the loss are endlessly sad for his friends and family. For anyone involved with design and the arts, it is a huge cultural loss as he was a supremely talented designer and engineer of fabric and garments. To die and leave the future of his work unfinished is a terribly sad thought for me as I really admired his work. His past archive is a wealth of inspiration and I do urge you to look and explore the many resources he has left.
There will be many obituaries written but I liked this short and simple tribute to him on style.com.
Too often fashion design is dismissed as meaningless and irrelevant to the many other aspects of life. That is not something I subscribe to. Respect to the legacy of Alexander McQueen, 1969-2010.

Waste not!! - 'Handemadeness is an antidepressant'

2010-02-08T00:52:00.000-08:00

I love yarn. Texture, weight (or lack of it as I love fine yarns more than chunky), colour and all it's wonderful variety. I've got a confession though. I've never really been attracted to the possibilities of undoing long-lost garments. Well-worn and well-loved jumpers and sweaters just get more well-worn until they're a rather threadbare wisp of a garment. There are alternatives and I stumbled on them thanks to a new friend on Twitter (I know, it's got it's critics but there are little gems there), Joyce Crochets, and she passes on some great little crochet links and I've followed many a tip-off from her tweets.This week's trail was to the methods of undoing woollen fabric and I never realised what an art there was to it. There are two really informative resources from two favourites of chaincreative, crafty stylish and craftzine. Different seams pose different problems and then there's prepping involved before you can wind up and get working. It's all worth it in the name of wasting not a precious resource and that's a big deal right now. While you're feeling virtuous hanging your freshly laundered yarn on the line (hmm) just think what a saving you've made. Enough to maybe treat yourself with some gorgeous little gem from Loop!
Once you've finished all the processes to turn that sad sack to crochet gold then you need some inspiration and I followed some more trails to a recycling diva called Cecile whose philosophy is very much of the moment and is the quote in the title of this post. Calling her business Recycled by Hyena and quoting her from her Etsy profile, 'My work is infused with my ethic and each of my creations is the result of passion and dedication. My clothes are made from scratch but not from new materials. They are made with fabric from clothes I purchased in Goodwill stores and non-profit thrift stores.

I "believe" in the craft revolution and I think it is our future. The handmade and eco-friendly life is the only alternative to the consumerism destroying our planet and the living beings surrounding us.'I must say I love her designs and the twist she puts on them. Of course, the fact that they're made from the sad, lost and forgotten makes them even more precious. Above is an example of how she encorporates crochet into many of her designs called Empire and below is the patchwork of fine fabrics that she combines in her work which she calls Comie.

As a little postscript, I've been frantically preparing for makedomend 's first outing to Stoke Newington's Tea Rooms for our granny squares workshop. I've been making up samples and patterns for the event and I'm very excited with Sarah London's Wooleater Blanket which is worked as a square and which uses as much scrips and scraps of yarn as you would wish to see the back of!!! It's not quite recycling but is certainly not waste!!!
Here's my humble offering of the pattern but I would suggest you go to Sarah's blog for the definitive example.

Romanian lace crochet

2010-01-25T01:38:00.000-08:00

We've had a few posts about workshops and other such excitement so now it's back to crochet techniques. This is one that I certainly recognise but didn't realise it's name or that it is very much a skill strongly linked to a country, Romania. Lace making is obviously a completely different technique to crochet but this does incorporate the making of crochet cord. The cord forms the basis for the design of the piece being made and then needleweaving is used to fill the remaining space. It's a skill that is mainly 20th century in origin and is hugely popular in Romania.
It's used for decorative work as in this baby's cap and as an embellishment to linen as you can see in the pictures.
The Lacis museum gives a clear rundown on it's history and a slide show of examples and, if you're so minded, you could try your hand at producing your own Romanian cord with Sunshine Creat ions' own pocket guide with video.
If you're an upholsterer as well you'll soon recognise the cords from your trimming work and now you can make your own!! I think the needleweaving may be for another day!

Granny squares - crochet workshops in London

2010-01-19T00:43:00.000-08:00

Following on from the last post about the wonders of granny squares, Claire and I at makedomend are in the final stages of planning our crochet granny square workshop at the delightful establishment, Tea Rooms in Stoke Newington, North London. Our new venture is certainly beginning to hum with activity and we've added some new venues to our portfolio. The Gallery Cafe in Bethnal Green, Bake-a-Boo in West Hampstead, High Tea in Highgate and of course, the Tea Rooms. Our first event is for the Grannies on Thursday 18 February so if you're in London and are interested then pop over to the makedomend blog and sign up.I was teaching a lovely bunch of crocheters over the weekend and they were rather proud (with justification, I might add) with their latest project of making a beautiful motif rug for a friend. However, the problem of how to join all the motifs together was very much at the top of their agenda. I must say that I wouldn't hesitate to point them in the direction of moonstitches. Alexandra is European but lives and works and creates in Japan. She is an observer of life through her lens and takes the most beautiful pictures of her creations and daily life which she posts on Flikr and on her blog. Some time ago I came across her hexagon tutorial and saved it up for just such an occasion as this. Now you can perfect your joining technique as well as enjoy her lovely clear pictures. Each stage is given close attention so if you're feeling unsure you can just wait at each stage until you're really up to speed.
Well, must get back to planning world domination by crochet hook. Hope to see some of you in Stoke Newington. Until later...

It might be snowing...

2010-01-02T09:07:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year and decade to all the crochet world and beyond. I've had a lovely break and am ready and raring to go creatively. I've had a bit of time to travel across the crochet net in between sledding on our first snow of the season. It's been so lovely to see the crisp white fields and my twenty-something kids still get a kick out of flying down the bumpy slopes, get covered in snow and still come out smiling! Pictures later of that and my latest project with pattern. A neckerchief in Habu tumugi silk which needs a teeny hook but can be adapted up to a sport or even worsted weight.
Now back to the reason I posted today. Nice new sites to visit with free patterns and some old friends with free patterns too. All of them are on a theme which fits nicely with a mood for brighter, lighter days. Flowers and lots of them.

Rose Hip is a site I have come across before but for some reason I haven't flagged it up to you. It's a pure joy with lovely cheerful colours and some inspiration and ideas. She is firm fan of flowers (ooo, lots of ffffff!!!) in her use of prints and in the lovely spring-like colours she chooses. The pattern she lets us use is one that alot of my crochet students would be delighted to dip into. I get asked alot for a pattern like this, an Irish crochet flower granny. If you get really carried away she continues the Irish theme with some pretty motifs to sprinkle on yourself and your home!!
The last of my flower theme is from an old friend of chaincreative, Roman Sock (do you remember the meerkats?) and her Mollie flowers which are as easy as ice cream and pretty as a picture. Have a lovely time and look forward to spring.

Back in the house

2009-12-22T01:18:00.000-08:00

Phew!!! That was fun! I've been having a jolly 6 week roller-coaster ride with orders from notonthehighstreet and just couldn't tear myself away to write about, let alone do, any crochet. Now the Christmas rush has fled to the Sales, I'm able to return to much more creative pastures. Mind you, I haven't ignored stitchy stuff and I thought, as we approach a fairly calm time for us creative types, you might enjoy a few suggestions of how to fill your time! Ha!!
With this in mind, I've come across a very nice website, Crafty Crafty. Having a variety of columnists means that it is very rich in source material and their posts are about everything from knitting and crochet to beauty products.
In my trawling through the crochet pages (well, what would you expect) I came across this post about the Woodland Cuckoo Clock. I adore this as it has the look of something out of Grimm's Fairy Tales and northern forests. Very seasonal!
I'm finding it hard to research this as the site where the pictures are taken from is in Japanese. Not my strongest language. So I appeal for help from any of my readers with a greater knowledge than me.
For a taster of what we're missing in our lack of knowledge take a look at the hyperbolic craziness of the clock and it's maker. It's as if Arthur Rackham had taken up a crochet hook instead of a pencil.

Happy Arrival of MakeDoMend

2009-11-28T00:54:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to urge you to pop over nextdoor to makedomend and their latest adventures, We're at last off the starting blocks and we're launched on the world, bringing creative workshops to a clamouring crowd of creativists. We've got beginners' knitting classes, corsage classes and crochetforward which is a step up for the chain gang. So off you go!

Just take a peek

2009-11-20T13:44:00.000-08:00

I know I've been rather absent from blogging but I'm a bit inundated in orders for Christmas so...until we're past that important date, I'm going to send you off to my other home of makedomend. We're very excited about our plans at the moment as we're launching on Thursday at the gorgeous venue of 40 Winks in Stepney. I visited this wonderful hotel and was completely transported to another fantastical world. I hope that we could organise some workshops to take place in this unique location.
Anyway, please visit makedomend and maybe think of booking a workshop. There's heaps to choose from beginning with crochet, knitting and sewing to beading, customising and, I like this one, bunting making. Go on, treat yourself for 2010.

The backroom bites back

2009-11-12T01:06:00.000-08:00

I loved this story when I read it last week in the Guardian. Carmen Colle is a supplier of fabric and crochet to, among others, Chanel and is taking the company to the courts to sue for 2.5 million euro damages for copyright infringement on a crochet pattern. Chanel is counter-sueing and the case is in appeal at the moment.
Carmen Colle is not a woman to be messed with. The fashion houses depend on such people to produce the garments and materials that will best express the designer's vision. The 'petits mains' are the mainstay of any company and are overlooked and undervalued in many cases. Many of these people have years of experience and skill which cannot be easily replaced and to know that such talent goes into couture clothes makes them the valuable artifacts they are.
Colle is unique in that she began the business after a career as a social worker in order to employ deprived and immigrant workers and offer them opportunities not often found. The company, World Tricot Designs employing women from poor neighbourhoods, is on the brink of closure if the counter-claim from Chanel is upheld. Listen to the interesting and at time's depressingly familiar story of David and Goliath at World Vision . I wish Carmen all the luck with her fight for her company and her reputation.

If you go down to the woods - Amelia's Magazine

2009-11-05T00:45:00.000-08:00

Some love it, some hate it. Twitter. Been in the news a bit this week, what with the spat over Stephen Fry and so on. Aside from that, I like it for the occasional little pearl for chaincreative.
Today's little gem is courtesy of lovely Claire at Monty (you need to go there to see her new A/W designs anyway) and her tweet about Amelia's Magazine. As an online resource it's wonderful for paths less visited. As their editor says, ' Amelia’s Magazine online is now the place to come for exclusive articles on the best underground creative projects in the worlds of art, fashion, music, illustration, photography, craft and design.' The issue I was particularly struck by was the fashion designs of knitwear designer, M arie-Louise Vogt. I cannot perfect further on the article at Amelia's so a visit there is essential. Suffice to say, I'll give you some picture tasters to set you on your way. As you probably know by now, here at chaincreative we love crochet and fashion and to see Marie-Louise use it so effectively gives us a reason to smile. Next time you hear someone say they don't know where to go next with their crochet, tell them to visit Amelia's and Marie-Louise Vogt.

Shauna Richardson - Designer Interview

2009-10-27T02:15:00.000-07:00

Many of you will have seen in the UK press the announcement of the awards, Artists taking the lead, which is one of the major projects of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad and is being developed by Arts Council England in partnership with London 2012 and the arts councils of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The project was launched in March 2009 with a call to artists to submit their big ideas in just 400 words. Over 2,000 artists applied, spanning a huge range of artforms and incorporating some spectacular ideas. All were competing for the award of up to £500,000 to produce their designs to be launched in 2012 in a unifying ceremony before the opening of the games.
Chaincreative's interest is in the artist, Shauna Richardson, based in the East Midlands and her plans for three 30 ft crochet lions to be encased in glass and installed in a as-yet-undisclosed location in the heart of England.
Peter Knott, director of arts and development with Arts Council England, East Midlands, said: "We considered Lionheart to be the best proposal as it is unique and on a grand scale. This monumental work will be striking and engaging. Its sheer audacity as an object of art will make it stand out and create considerable interest.

"It will celebrate the region's cultural, industrial and historical heritage."

Shauna, who studied art at De Montfort University in Leicester, said: "I was absolutely delighted to be selected, but I was a bit astounded really because of the calibre of the submissions alongside mine.

"This is the biggest project of my life and it is going to consume my daily life for the next two and a half years.

"I have estimated approximately two years to do the crocheting though I have built in some contingency time.

"This is something I have never done before. I am much more familiar working on a small scale. This is clearly going to be the largest piece I have ever made." (quoted with thanks to thisisnottingham.co.uk)

As soon as I heard that there was a crocheter, in fact Shauna terms herself a crochetdermist, in the short-lists, I contacted her for an interview on the blog and she kindly accepted despite being a pretty busy person at the moment. The fact that she's won is the cherry on the cake as far as chaincreative is concerned. It's a real honour. So here is the interview which I hope will give some insight into how crochet can be used as an art form. Let's have more of that, please!!

Has crochet always been a part of your artistic expression? If so, when and how did you to get to the point where you wanted to create using that medium?
I was taught to crochet at an early age, in fact I can't remember a time when I wasn't free-styling with wool and hook. It was a long time before I utilized crochet in my artwork however - I took the long route via a very enjoyable conceptual art practice

What was the first project that you first used crochet and how challenging was that? Can you just quickly describe the processes that you go through on your crochet work.

For me crochet is the most natural medium to sculpt with. The first Crochetdermy piece I made was a hare head quickly followed by a two metre brown bear. I like a big challenge.If I have a technique at all it could be described as free-style. I use a single colour and one stitch to trace the

different directions dictated by anatomy.
(The lions' bodies will be created by a professional polystyrene sculptor. Each will be positioned in a different pose – one on its rear legs, in a leaping position. As sections are produced they will receive crochet skins which will be created by Ms Richardson using wool and hook.)

Many of the animals aren't small!!! How long does a project, on average, take? How much yarn do you use and where do you source your materials? You're in 'knit' land up there in the Midlands so you must be quite a celebrity!

I estimate that the upcoming Lionheart project will take approximately 2 years to complete and will require 1 tonne of wool. The project celebrates the textile industry heritage of the East Midlands UK, and I am hoping to use the wool of local sheep in the making.It is my aim to promote and involve people from all walks of life in this project - it is an ideal opportunity to make a real crochet impact. As well as workshops across the East Midlands I would like to make this a worldwide affair and intend to utilize the internet to this end. Early days yet but in due course I will be sending a call out to crochet practitioners everywhere to join in with the fun. Watch this space...

Tell us about the paths you took to apply for the award - your decisions and inspirations etc. Can you give another brief description of the lions and how they'll look in situ in 2012?
Each Artists Taking the Lead commission relates to it's location. Both the wool and the three lions symbol are inspired by the East Midlands. Richard the Lionheart has strong connections with Nottingham not only in the Legend of Robin Hood but also in history. Richard's crest was the three lions, a widely used strong symbol to this day

The piece will be three 30ft life-like lions in different dynamic poses, housed in a walk-in taxidermy style display 'case'. I hope to start crocheting early 2010 and progress can be followed via webcam link up and studio visits.

Finally, from where do you draw inspiration and is crochet always an expression of your work or is it also something intrinsic to your artistic instincts?

Crochet is intrinsic to my work. I enjoy mixing crochet with realism and presenting it as contemporary art.Maybe anything can be art, and anything includes traditional craft.

I wish to extend my thanks to Shauna for taking time out of an already busy schedule to answer the questions. Her website is fantastic as follow up and for more images so leap like a lion over there and check out her other crochet creativity.

Wonders never cease

2009-10-20T01:13:00.000-07:00

Whilst on my wonderful trip to California we visited the fabulous Joshua Tree National Park. I really didn't know what to expect but what we found was beyond marvellous. I'm a bit of a fan as far as 'high' deserts go - I love the nature! Joshua Tree did not disappoint and we stayed in the most delicious guest house, The Desert Lily, owned and run by Carrie and her husband.

Surrounded by mountains and, of course, joshua trees and watched over by red tail hawk, coyotes and mountain lion, this is the place to be to get away from it all.
Over a bottle of wine on our arrival, Carrie asked what I get up to and I had to confess to the crochet. Well, you've got to go to the World Famous Crochet Museu m, she said. That stopped me in my tracks. But not for long.
Next day, it was down to Joshua Tree town and the extraordinary creation of Shari Elf. Despite being closed I was able to snoop about and take some pictures but couldn't delve into it's dusty depths!

I'll have to tip a nod of thanks to Cathy of California (another adorable blog) for the interior shot with poodles. The 'building' itself is a former photomat booth neatly recycled into this petite homage to all things crochet.

Shari Elf (above with her museum) is interesting in her own right and her website, Good and Sturdy Art reveals a creator of art through found things, a singer and traveller. Take time to listen to her songs which some how sum up my time in that wonderful and surprising part of the world.

Hook Heaven

2009-10-12T01:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back and today the weather is a lovely Autumnal glow. The trip away was divine and restful. I know when people go away some like to go shopping too but I certainly lose my shopping mojo - and a good thing too, I hear you say.

I didn't completely go off the radar, however, and found myself back in my old home town of Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula and just happened to drift into Monarch Knitting and Quilts. Sadly I didn't have too much space for yarn but I could easily slip in a crochet hook and the one I chose is proving to be a bit of a find. I don't think it's stocked here in the UK (anyone know?). The hook in question comes from Laurel Hill handmade needles and hooks with the tag-line Exotic, Handmade and Sustainable. All at Reasonable Prices. I like the sound of that and certainly the hook I bought was all of that. Mine was made of palmwood which I couldn't find on the online store but they are such a nice bunch at the end of an e-mail that I'm sure I could track down more.

The hooks are so smooth and are light and comfortable to hold with it's special finger hold. I still love my Clover Soft Touch but this lovely natural alternative is coming into the favourite's paddock as a close second.

Not a granny

2009-09-19T01:02:00.000-07:00

There's been some tedious words written about Cate Blanchett's red carpet moment this week. I can't be bothered to repeat where such nonsense has been published or said. Suffice to say, anything the gal wore would look fabulous and this is such an interesting choice. It certainly puts crochet at centre stage and brought it out from under the blanket. For too long it's languished as the choice for people using up scraps and dismissed as knitting's sad sister.
Now it's got a pair of killer heels and an attitude. Hurrah.
The designers, Romance Was Born, are an Australian duo and they're wonderfully boosted by the criticism of the dress being too reminiscent of something made by a senior, "That's exactly what it is," said Luke Sales, one half of Sydney design duo, Romance Was Born.
"We cut it up and it was hand-crocheted by my mother, so how could we be offended?" he laughed.'
'Sales said Blanchett specifically requested the dress herself and took the star's new moniker, "Cate Blanket", as a compliment. "There is no one else I would rather see wear it than Cate, I just knew it would be amazing on her," he said.

"There's a sense of humour to everything we do, so no one can really offend us.

"At the end of the day Cate Blanchett is wearing our dress and she is who she is."

Ha!

Silence is golden

2009-09-15T01:12:00.000-07:00

Yes, silence is indeed golden and so is California and this beautiful bridge. That's where I'll be for the next few weeks fulfilling my annual pilgrimage to see my brother and check out all my old haunts and pretend I have a cute cottage by the sea. Sigh.

Now, while I'm away, instead of twiddling your thumbs and staring at all the unfinished projects, how about keeping up the enthusiasm for crochet by reading some back copies of posts. Let me make some suggestions:

Several designers all wrapped up in a post!! Guro from Hobbykroken, Maria from Kjoo, Yael from Yoola, Toutes a nos crochets and much, much more!!!

Something completely different. Many love to scumble. Find out more right here!
Now for the finale. Fffff-fashion. The wondrous Sarah Backlund.
Happy reading!

Stand by your crochet hooks

2009-09-07T01:20:00.000-07:00

I was contacted by the nice folks at Craftzine, an online craft blog magaziney type of thing, that has alot of projects in various craft mediums. I like to dip in for tips and links and I'm pretty sure I've pointed you in that direction before. Anyway, do visit because I do feel you'll find something of interest there. Before you reach for the link button, let me just tell you of a plan they've got afoot to get everyone to muster to their stash bag and hook supply.

Starting on Tuesday 8 September, the first lesson to create a wee amigurumi Fuzzy Panda is being featured and I think it could be the easiest-peasiest ways of learning to amigurumi (can it be a verb?). I do know that many people would love to get to grips with amigurumi and make some well-crafted critters and this might be the chance they need. The secret of good amigurumi is in the stitch marker. You really do need to keep an eye on those stitches and that they don't increase or otherwise - well, without being told to. A good eye to the markers is the answer. The pattern, by Tamie Snow, is lovely and clear (but remember, English makers, it's North American terms).

Good luck with that one, my dears, but all I ask is maybe lay off the bubble-gum pink! Unless it's a petit cadeau for a Barbie.

2009-09-01T01:59:00.000-07:00

As you may already know, I've now embarked on another page of the story with the set-up of MakeDoMend with Claire Montgomerie. We're looking forward to organising either tailored tutorial events in creative crafts or being more ambitious and helping in the organisation of hen parties to baby showers. We know that it's going to be quite a mission to let everyone know that we're ready and waiting for lovely ideas so we're booked to 'appear' at MakeLondon's Autumn Fair in Stoke Newington on 5 and 6 September. We'll be offering beginners' workshops in knitting and crochet and some wonderful cake decorating workshops too. If you go to the Make London website you'll get an idea of when the workshops are starting.Many of those able to visit can already knit, crochet and all manner of things but maybe you have a friend who's been badgering you to learn. If so, then bring them along and enjoy their happy face!!!!!

Shauna Richardson - the exhibition

2009-08-25T02:17:00.000-07:00

I overheard last week on the radio a feature about art and the Olympics. There was a mention of a series of installations planned in the East Midlands and among them was to be three crochet lions. That stopped me in my tracks and I vowed that once the dust of last week had settled I would investigate.

The artist involved is Shauna Richardson and she has very kindly agreed to submit herself to a chaincreative interview in the near future. However, before that I'll give you a little sneak preview of her work and an open invitation to her latest exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London. "Taking inspiration from Victorian taxidermy and travelling menageries in order to create life-size animal sculptures - crochet pieces using directional stitches to highlight anatomical features." Brown Bear is a powerful presence (at nearly 2 metres high, that's powerful) and still manages to retain the almost animal quality of his pelt and at the same time representing the movement of muscle and bone.

The exhibition is from the 2-19 September 2009 and is part of the Threadneedle Prize for painting and sculpture, so best wishes and good luck go to Shauna.

For the competition for 2012 run by the Arts Council, Shauna has designed three 30 ft tall lions. 'If successful her work would be visible for miles around from its as-yet unspecified East Midlands location with the three lions, reminiscent of Richard the Lionheart's heraldic crest, housed inside a purpose built glass structure.

Shauna, 41, who first learned to crochet at school before going on to study fine art at De Montfort University, said the inspiration for her enormous artwork came after months of research.
She said: "I was researching symbolism that would represent the area, the nation and the Olympics.
"The medium itself will reflect the textile industry of Leicestershire.
"This is a unique opportunity to create something extraordinary here in the East Midlands and if selected, I aim to leave a lasting legacy."' (Leicester Mercury)

Chaincreative is very honoured to be featuring a UK artist of such quality taking a domestic skill and using it in such a public forum.

The Solomon's Knot

2009-08-17T01:55:00.000-07:00

On my recent trip to Belgium I went to the Antwerp Museum of Fashion, MOMU for a fascinating exhibition on the paper dress. It doesn't sound desperately relevant to a crochet blog but you would be surprised!! Displayed were 19th centuryJapanese Samurai underwear (yes, even they need knickers!!!) made from knotted paper. As you can imagine it was the knotted stitch they used that caught my attention.

The Solomon's knot is as much macrame as crochet but students are still intrigued as to how to make the stitch. Created by lengthening a chain stitch and then crocheting into the back of the chain, this is a simple stitch and a lovely way to create an airy and open-work piece. But don't take my crass description as gospel. Nexstitch offers a very clear, visual tutorial of this and many other stitches.

It has been popular for use in quite utilitarian items (such as underwear) and bags and this little pouch from the 1920's is a lovely example.

New workshops go live

2009-08-13T01:04:00.001-07:00

You may have noticed a few things going on in the next-door sidebar. Creative workshops with Bee!! This has really flowed from all the work I've been doing over the last few years on a group and individual basis and I thought it would be fun to extend it. Workshops will be available in London and the South East at either a location that I can arrange or in your own choice of suitable premises!! Craft is really having a wonderful moment and it would be so good to jump aboard if you haven't already. Give it a go!

More of a good thing

2009-08-11T01:23:00.000-07:00

You know I'm a huge fan of Japanese crochet and knit books and I know many of you are too!! This fires up my research antennae and I'm always on the look-out for new suppliers and sources for our obsession.

Yesterday, while browsing the lovely French crochet blogs that I have listed on the right side of the blog, I came across these lovely bags. I particularly loved the zing of citrus colours that these were made up with. The patterns were, of course, Japanese and that got me thinking that I needed to feed the addiction and see if I could track down some more supplies.

There are certainly plenty of shops on Etsy who have lovely selections. All you have to do is pop Japanese craft books in the Search window and away you go. I wanted to see what else was out there and Bingo! up came Select Yarn and how pleased I was. As well as patterns Norie (the founder) also stocks Japanese yarns and many are the selections for the patterns. I love the way you can 'look' in the books to see the patterns. It all helps with the choice.

At the moment, I'm enjoying crocheting a vintage 30's sweater but as soon as that's finished I'm going Japanese!!!

A lot has happened

2009-08-04T01:16:00.000-07:00

Last week was so buzzy with creative stuff that I'm not quite prepared to not go steaming off with a bag packed full of patterns and crochet hooks instead of boring old shopping!
It all kicked off by Tower Bridge on Sunday with Claire Montgomerie at Kioskiosk. It wasn't the best weather that Doctor London could have ordered but we tied down the table and stopped a few crochet hooks from blowing away on the breeze!! It began to warm up pretty soon with some lovely familiar faces from our classes who started to crochet up a storm that quickly brought out the sunshine.
This began to tempt a few of the curious to try their turn with hook and yarn and by early afternoon we'd managed to inspire quite a number novices and others who had fun showing us how to knit Romania style.

This guy was certainly loving the attention his skill with the needles created! Hmmm.Next step was over to west London for a lovely day of sewing (I'll have some pics soon to post on Sewing Bee). I'm absolutely loving these workshops and really look forward to developing them

through Make & Bake. I'll be featuring contact pages for all the different workshops on offer and would love to see any of you there!!

The week finished with the Felt Workshop held here in Kent.

I tried to bring in some crochet by using the ever reliable felting yarn of Cascade 220. There are so many fab shades but we were going to use a neat little pattern from knotsewcute for a pear doorstop. After that, things got a bit messy in a fun kind of way. Out came the yarn rovings and a bottle of warm water and dish wash liquid! Wet felting is such a magical thing. One minute you have some very sheepy looking wool and then next minute it's fabric!

We certainly had a very amusing time with it, despite some slight mishaps as you can see above, and everyone was able to tuck some nicely felted fabric away to take home.

The big success of the day was the needle-felting as we were able to satisfy our inner child by making some cute little critters.

I'd supplied some lovely goodie bags of needles and holders from Blooming Felt and foam pads so the team was able to create to their heart's content.

Workshops are continuing with a beaded crochet course in London and more sewing tuition. It's such a pleasure to settle into a day of really productive teaching and helping people get to grips with their creativity. If you're keen to brush up your skills then do contact me through the blog.

New kid in town

2009-07-27T01:54:00.000-07:00

I'm jumping up and down at the moment as there are so many plans in the air and it's crackling with excitement. I've been dying to tell you all and now the moment has arrived and we can really hit the ground...crocheting??? I think the best thing would be to let the words tell the story (click on the name to find the make and bake blog!!).

Make and Bake

creative workshops on your doorstep

Make and Bake has arrived to help you find your creative side. From hen parties to children’s birthdays, we will fill your days with clever ways to create with yarn, fabric and yummy cupcakes!Claire, Bee and Catherine are your guides and tutors on this tour of the creative arts and we are looking forward to helping you plan that special day. We will provide the notions, materials and tuition straight to your doorstep and will ensure that you will be able to show off your creations at the end of the day.Make and Bake is happy to organise group or individual tuition.For further details and terms, contact Bee:bee_at_home@hotmail.com

As you can see, Claire, Catherine and I are looking to spread the creative word and hope to even do a spot of travelling but for now we're strictly keeping to London and the South East.

Let me tell you a little about ourselves -Well, I suppose you already know about me. Crocheter and stitcher and enthusiastic fan of all the creative arts. I've been teaching for more years than I'll tell you about here and hope that I've managed to pass some of my skills to others. Here's examples of what I like to do.

Claire Montgomerie is also a talented teacher but is much else besides. She has published books on knitwear to her name and her signature style is well-loved by all yarn addicts. You may need no introduction but you may recognise her cuddly retro bunnies at the top of the post.

Catherine Knight (website soon!) was formerly a journalist but obviously her writing skills were effortlessly transferred to cake making and decorating which the picture can only give a flavour of. Yummmmmm.

We all hope that you might be interested in our little idea too!!

Day for your diary

2009-07-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

Sunday 26th July is a date for your diary if you're in London town. Down on the South Bank, the Queen's Walk to be more precise, just by the London Assembly Building. This is the venue for a wonderful creative opportunity for designers in Kioskiosk established for the summer months by Wayne Hemingway and the Design Museum. Claire Montgomerie is basing herself there on Sunday, running mini-workshops and knit fun and I'm joining in on the vibe with crochet and sewing workshops and selling a few accessories in crochet and fabric. It should be a terrific amount of fun if our days at Loop are anything to go by and we'ld love to see some friendly creative faces looming up out of the London smog. Ach, don't talk rubbish, it's going to be a fabulous day with heaps of sun and laughter.

If you're around please join us and maybe pick up a new crafty skill!

More Down Under

2009-07-22T00:37:00.000-07:00

More on my trip to Belgium later. I just haven't stopped to even download the thousands of pictures I took and I definitely want to show all my chaincreative friends what a fab time I had.

Whilst all those thoughts are cooking, here's something to keep you busy. It follows on really nicely from the interview with Sarah London a few posts ago and certainly lifts the spirits when it's so blustery and rainy here.

So it's out to a wonderful sunny garden with tea on the lawn. And bunting!!! Sarah has crocheted some bunting that would kick start anyone into action and there's a pattern too!

I'm off to get my primary colours all sorted!!

With big thanks to Jennifer at The Make Lounge for the tip-off to these lovely flags.

Jolly hols

2009-07-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be taking that crochet news from Ghent to Aix this week. Visiting Belgium for the first time and staying in Ghent. It's the destination du jour don't you know!!!

Great new venture

2009-07-11T10:10:00.000-07:00

Take a little trip over to Sewing Bee to see how the new baby in the chaincreative stable is doing! Sewing classes are now part of our productions and look set to become quite popular as a chance to escape the city and learn a new skill. It can range from a full-on 'teach me how to sew' to a way of getting to grips with making a particular garment.

This is exactly what brought Anees to Kent and I think we both agree it was a great success. We didn't get to the end of the story as far as the project was concerned but I was able to send Anees off home happy in the knowledge that she can finish what she has started and have a lovely dress to wear at the end of it.

Of course people don't need to come all the way down here to the South East coast. Within the M25 area, chaincreative is happy to travel and I shall be at the Kiosk on Sunday 26 July to bring sewing to the nation. Find your inner thread and get stitching!

Designer interview - Sarah London

2009-07-07T01:06:00.000-07:00

I think it's time for another visit with a crochet icon. I know from my travels over the networld that Sarah London really does generate alot of respect and interest from crocheters for the shots of colour she injects into her work. On another level she also turns the 'granny' into something joyous and bold. For all you square dancers here's the interview. I have to thank Sarah who is very busy person and kindly answered the questions amidst much other work.

Chain Creative Interview
Questions of creativity and inspiration Your name
Sarah London

Where you’re from
I live in the country with my husband and three children in Australia.

Blog address (if you have one)
http://www.sarahlondon.wordpress.com/ Describe your various creative skills.
I love working with colour in various applications, whether it be crochet, knitting or patchwork.

When did you start to crochet and who taught you?
My grandmother taught me to crochet at an early age, and I immediately became hooked, drawn to the colourful wool and I was amazed that a ball of wool could be transformed into many things.

What was the inspiration behind developing your interest in crochet?
To crochet, is just part of my make up I’m sure of that.

What influences your style and output? What are your inspirations?
Women from past generations who amazingly made something from nothing as such. Transforming scraps of wool into unique items of necessity, resulting in unusual combinations of colour and composition. What are the most important aspects of your work to you?
Exploring different colour combinations is important to me, inspiring others to experiment with colour. I love it when colours just click.

Which project or piece of work are you most proud of?
Most often or not it’s usually the latest piece to come off my hook.

Describe your favourite working space.
Surrounded by many balls of colourful wool, sitting on the sofa is were I usually do most of my crochet.

Thank you for chatting!

Love Bee
The last picture is a free pattern from Sarah called Wool-Eater Afghan.

New Post

2009-07-03T01:04:00.000-07:00

Brand new and hot off the press post at Sewing Bee. Lots of nice fabrics to choose from and some sewing tips too.

Chaincreative confidential

2009-06-30T01:33:00.000-07:00

There are plans afoot here at chaincreative Central and the first summit meeting of it's personnel took place yesterday in my flowery garden. It really was a gorgeous day and I hope it is like a great send-off for all our schemes.

The glittering cast list consists of myself (natch), Claire Montgomerie (who many of you probably are acquainted with already) and Catherine with her adorable sidekick, Edie.

We spent alot of the time oohing and ahhing at E but the rest of the time was discussing our various talents and what we plan to do with them.

You already know about me, crocheting and sewing up a storm. Claire is a published knitter and crocheter and general all-round doer of things creative. Catherine, as well as giving tons of cuddles to Edie, is a baker of extreme talents and I've got a sample to show you which might get the digestive juices gurgling a bit.

Claire looking very passionate about her craft - eating!!!

We're all very passionate about what we do and we want to channel that into some sort of productive venture. To that end, this lunch. Obviously, we licked our plates clean!!

You'll be kept in on the secret as it progresses, so regard this as the first installment!

It keeps on giving

2009-06-24T00:38:00.000-07:00

They said you could get a bit obsessed!! Wire crochet, bead crochet. Not everyone has given them a try for various reasons. Many think only in yarn and are happy to stay there. Following the Jewellery Workshop, however, I have discovered my inner bead!!! The task was to start and, hopefully, finish a beaded rope bracelet. Made using slip stitch crochet, on paper it all looks so easy!!! The reality is less rosy. The experts work in 11/0 or 8/0 beads which are the delicate seed beads you see in many beaded projects. Sadly they proved too tiny for me so I upgraded to 6/0 which are approximately 3.5-4 mm. I actually prefer their relative chunkiness. Thread is a problem too. Beading thread is fine and that spells problems for beginners. With the size of beads I used I sized up to viscose twisted floss from Texere yarns. Called Prism, it comes in loads of lovely shades so should suit any project.

It seems that the first 3 rounds are the trickiest and that is definitely true. The circle can quickly end up in a funny beady ball very quickly. To keep your head, you string however many beads that the circle calls for in a larger contrast bead and start crocheting with a firm view of the sequence. After much trial and error (that's quite a few times, in other words) you realise where you're going and then you're off and running. Then the obsession kicks in and you want a whole bunch of bracelets. I'm on my fourth and still planning!!!

The sites I found most helpful and where I bought patterns and advice pdf were -

Need for Beads - patterns and handy guides

McKenzie Designs - a primer with wonderfully clear illustrations

GJ Beads - supplies in UK

The Bead Shop - in Tower Street, Covent Garden, London town

To be honest there's lots of sites on the net that help so don't give up if you want to try this challenging skill.

Talking of challenges and skills may I introduce the production of another brilliant student. Me Ling came to the Workshop and went away and came back with this!!! How fabulous is that!

Nice things happen

2009-06-21T02:34:00.000-07:00

Several nice things in fact!!! Lovely Friday at Loop (by the way, the online shop has a new address, loopknitting.com so don't forget!!! Old address users will be re-directed) with Claire. Claire has her own home, Monty, and she's got some exciting news which I'm going to share with you as I'm going to be involved too! Hurrah!!! Claire and I make a great crochet team at Loop on Fridays, so if you're in London and need some extra crochet juice then pop in for a chat.

Claire is a great discoverer of all things creative and ways to be creative. Her latest venture is going to include you, the great public. Called Kiosk it is, as Claire says, a way for designers 'to take part in a collaboratory exhibition with Wayne Hemmingway Design and the Design Museum. They have set up a Kiosk by the Mayor's fab building with a view to supporting young British designers. It is a great idea and I recommend you all head down there at least once over the summer to support the innovative design and participate in some workshops.' Isn't that fantastic?! And I'm going to be there as crochet and sewing sidekick!!!

Claire has kindly asked me to join her in giving crochet advise and workshops and my own sewing workshops. Yippee!!! I plan to run workshops in simple start-up sewing with basic stitch guides and making opportunities to design and make your own accessories either in crochet or fabric! Anyone in the South Bank area on Sunday 26th July put it in your diary now and head down to our Kiosk for a day!!!Finally, I want to give a big crochet hurrah for my Improvers' crochet gals yesterday at Loop. I adore all the classes at Loop and if you've wondered about attending then wonder no more. They're grrrrrrrreat and rewarding. Yesterday's Improvers were a case in point. Everyone there arrived with alot of doubts about their ability and conviction that they'd be pleased if they managed a row of trebles. Stuff and nonsense. They finished with the entire stitch lexicon done and dusted and the start of a beautiful scarf or trim. Doubts have vanished and they're off to becoming experienced crocheters.

Crochet Jewellery Workshop 2009

2009-06-15T00:58:00.000-07:00

About to begin.

The first of the workshops for 2009 kicked off on Saturday. The students that came were the bravest of guinea pigs for this new class and they certainly had quite a work schedule to face. Whether to sit in the garden room or out in the rose-filled garden!! Whether to keep the sunglasses on or if the sweater was redundant!

Where's that stitch? Preparing the motif prior to starching.

Then it was down to the real deal of the start of the journey of enlightenment with some good old crochet. A simple motif in crochet thread and fine hook. Alot of crochet students are unfamiliar with this more rarified medium so it's an exercise in itself to get your eyes focused on the tiny stitches. How did people cope before the days of chunky and aran crochet!?
Is it time for lunch yet?!!

Motifs completed, we starched and left them to dry before breaking for lunch. I'm a pretty hard task-master and hate to see people enjoying themselves so after about, ooo, well, an hour we turned our attention to bead crochet. The temperature began to rise and that wasn't because we were sitting in the garden. This did test the skills and needs to have the patience to do and then re-do those opening rows. The results are there for all those who persevere and then you're off! I used patterns from Need for Beads with the Bead Crochet Primer produced by Leopold McKenzie. Lots of super design ideas sprang from this part and I hope to post the outcome later.

Keep your yarn from twisting! Beading tips for you!

The last part of the puzzle (and I use that word with a reason!!) was the wire crochet project courtesy of Yael Falk of Yoola Designs. We used her patterns for the Glamorous Bracelet and the Sunflower Earrings. The method is more like knitting with a crochet hook so did give my crochet gals something to think about.

A break for cupcakes courtesy of Me Ling. They were YUMMY!

The day was drawing to a close and there was some tired folk who scrambled onto the train. But these people are crochet heroes and the hooks continued to work after the sun set and results of their work continue to flow in.

Wire crochet tube from Me Ling

I hope they would agree with me that it was very successful launch of our year of workshops.

I think this testimonial from Kate might sum it up:

"I always love coming to the crochet days, it's such an oasis of calm and so nice to be with other obsessive crocheters/knitters. "

Flying without wings

2009-06-10T00:51:00.000-07:00

It's almost a year ago that the Crochet Coral Reef project rolled into town at the Hayward Gallery. I know that many of you were able to visit the exhibition and those who could not were able to follow it's progress round the globe.

The principles involved with 'hyperbolic' crochet are deeply imbedded in the freeform crochet movement (or vice versa). I'm going to confess some lack of knowledge and experience here, but I know that it's pretty huge!!! There's someone freeforming somewhere at this very moment!

I mentioned that pintangle had called over to chaincreative the other day and, calling in on the blog yesterday, I see that she's writing about a rather special exhibition and competition which might interest the freeformers. At the International Freeform Crochet Guild you can find details and further explanation. Reading more about the freeform movement, however, I'm guessing that if you're a real fan then you already know all about it. It sounds like a great clan of like-minded people who share their knowledge very happily. Anyway, get scrumbling!!!

Take a bow

2009-06-08T00:43:00.000-07:00

Chaincreative really loves attention! Who doesn't, and it's often completely unexpected. The blog has had a mention on a website called pintangle included in a list of blogs all beginning with the letter 'c'. It's not just random addresses either. The author, Sharon, from Australia curates this comprehensive blog on the creative arts and chose the blogs with a special purpose in mind, 'I choose blogs that stay on topic, written reasonably frequently, by textile practitioners and designers who do such things as quilt, stitch, dye, sew, embellish fabric,and bead. Or who are interested in art and design and perhaps are interested in paper related crafts, such as bookbinding, or use visual journals.'

I thought that there might be something else in the list for you. I've posted a picture from the pin tangle blog which is perhaps more suited to Sewing Bee but it's good to diversify!!!

Alive and kicking

2009-06-03T01:16:00.000-07:00

Dig deep!

I've often wondered what bloggers get up to when they 'disappear' for a bit. Work, illness, lack of material, all of the above and more. I know that I'm always thinking of what I'll post but when there's hundreds of Very Important Projects all shouting for attention then I'm afraid that the blog has to take a backseat. Summer does seem to take people out and away from the computer - I wonder why. The northern bloggers particularly are passionate about the 'outdoors' (I know, we all are) but as I visit many blogs from Scandanavia, the number of posts dwindle as the summer months start. I don't mind. I'm out there too and that's with English weather.

My lovely salad garden -yum!

So while the blog suffers, rest assured I am working on it's behalf. Loop in London gives me loads of inspiration, so when I'm in the shop Claire and I are often to be found up to our arms in lovely, lovely yarn speculating what to sample next. And how do you teach left-handers when you're right-handed. Important stuff!!!

Jewellery-making never ends!!!

The rest of my week is taken up with many of the projects I've set up for the summer. The Jewellery Workshop is appearing on the horizon swiftly followed by two sewing events and the Felt Workshop. I'm also struggling to finish many of the projects I'd started of making up a series of vintage patterns that I can gather in 'book' form and publish.

1950's capelet in Frog Tree Alpaca Sport Melange

Whilst that's all going on, I've got the outdoors to contend with!!! Mind you, with the gorgeous weather (yes, we do have divine weather in England so don't believe the myths!!!) we've been experiencing there's tons of things to do in the garden.

A girl's gotta have a rest some time!!!!

Then there's the family. My son's moving and my lovely L is starting an internship at Vivienne Westwood. Yelp!!!!!!!

Beady eye

2009-05-27T00:59:00.000-07:00

The table is covered with my 'homework' for the Jewellery Workshop in a few weeks. Beads, thread, hooks all tumbled out ready for action. I'm really excited about the opportunities the planned day has created to get acquainted with skills that I think will be new for everyone. I must say, bead crochet is not an area I've explored to date but I'm beginning to realise it isn't something you tackle lightly. You need sharp eyes and oodles of patience but once you've started (and re-started several times!) it's really rewarding.I've gone to several sources for advise and patterns and I'll pass them on to you. First off came from Mknze Designs, A Bead Crochet Primer. The PDF costs $9 but is the clearest description I've found on the net.

I really think if you're starting out, you need a pattern. The principles and pattern layout is such a different ballpark for a crocheter and a clear pattern is such a help. Need for Beads is where I turned to for a large selection of patterns. Be careful, however, that, if you're a beginner, you choose wisely and don't get over-ambitious. Once you get all your materials and get started you soon realise that your over-confidence has led you into a real maze and starting simple means you're more likely to succeed.

I searched on the net for beads but decided that, although there are hundreds of suppliers, nothing beat actually handling the supplies before I bought them. Luckily, I live near London so went to The Bead Shop in Tower Street which supposedly has 'the finest bead shopping experience in Europe'! I was very happy with my purchases I must say. However, you can buy online too. Now I just have to find the time to really get cracking. That's something you can't buy!!!

New workshops with Bee

2009-05-23T05:42:00.000-07:00

The summer workshops are beginning to take shape nicely and I've decided to add some new dates for those of you who perhaps wanted to try out a new skill but couldn't make the earlier workshops. I do need at least 4 people to run a class.

The jewellery workshop will comprise 3 projects; a bead crochet bracelet, a wire crochet pair of earrings and a starched crochet medallion. (5 hrs £65). The felt workshop will also be made up of 3 projects; dry needle-felting, wet felting and a small crochet project. (5 hrs £45)

All the workshops will take place here in Kent (1 hr 30 min from London, all main rail and road links) and include lunch and materials.

The dates:

Jewellery - Saturday 22 August and Saturday 12 September 12 - 5pm

Felt - Saturday 5 September and Saturday 19 September 12 - 5pm (there is still one place for Saturday 1 August).

Obviously I'm still happy to arrange some private classes by appointment, so if you want to refresh the creaky crochet joints then please get in touch.

At Loop there is an Improvers crochet class on Saturday 20 June 12 - 5pm.

Designer interview - Knotsewcute Kim and Tara

2009-05-20T01:27:00.000-07:00

I'm a big fan of many things. You know that!!! I'm a big fan of talent with crochet. Promoting it, using it to develop and inspire. Just being downright enterprising. That's alot to be fantastic with!!! The names behind Knotsewcute are pretty fantastic and they've been so kind as to give some of their time to a fantastic interview for chaincreative. They even let you have a piece of their cleverness through their PDF patterns available in their Etsy shop. I know you'll want to visit there when you've read their revealing interview. Enjoy!

Your names?

Crochet designers - Kim Miller and Tara Schreyer.

Where are you from?

The interior of beautiful British Columbia, Canada.

Describe your various creative skills

Kim: As a mom of 4 I am always looking for ways to cut corners without sacrificing quality and style. As such I have done a bit of everything from sewing to furniture refinishing, but my passion is crocheting and designing.

Tara: My grandmothers were very creative women and they would often share their newest interest with me, so I think I've tried my hand at almost every craft out there. I can't say that I've been great at all of them but it was fun creating just the same. I was completely obsessed with cross-stitch for quite some time, but soon realized that I could never complete all the patterns that I had accumulated. While I do bring it out from time to time, I have found that crocheting fits the best with my busy life as a mother of two little ones and satisfies my creative side.

I love the name. What's the story behind it?

When we researched names on the internet we were overwhelmed by the volume of Etsy shops. All of the nice whimsical names we thought up were already taken. In order to come up with something original we jokingly said that we will have to call our shop “NOT SO CUTE”. We changed up the spelling and it just seemed to stick.

When did you start to crochet and who taught you?

Kim: About 14 years ago, I was going through a divorce and I wanted something positive to focus on so I asked my aunt to teach me to crochet.

Tara: My grandmother taught me to crochet as a young girl. My very first completed project was a afghan that I did in grade school.

What was the inspiration behind developing your interest in crocheting?

Kim: I have always had a lot of creative energy, but it wasn't until I learned to crochet that I found my medium.

Tara: When I first saw felted items and learned that they were created by knitting or crocheting with wool, I was inspired and realized as I started creating that the possibilities were endless. Felting added a whole new dimension to an already favorite hobby. Crocheting with other materials also has me intrigued and I just might try my hand at it in the future.

What influences your style and our output, and what are your inspirations?

For both of us our family has been our biggest inspiration and support. We found that our kids are 100% honest about our creations : )

There's two of you! Do you divide the work or is it joint inspiration?

We both love having a partnership as it is someone to share the load with and bounce ideas off of, yet at the same time we are still able to express our own individuality. We both have different talents and experiences that we bring to the shop, and we've shared many good laughs over mistakes that are best left unsaid.

What are the most important aspects of your work?

To create practical designs that fit into our modern, busy lives. Also, by creating patterns, we are able to give people the opportunity to continually create for their loved ones without much expense.

Which project or piece of work are you most proud of?

Kim: For me it is always the ones that I struggled the most with. I've learned that mistakes are not disasters but rather they are opportunities for new ideas and growth. With that said, the projects that I'm most proud of are my Elegant Evening Shawl and the Simply Felted Ladies Slippers. With both of these patterns I went through a lot of trials before I came up with a fabric and design that captured my vision.

Tara: I've always been drawn to simple things. By that I mean, simple lines, color, and design. So I would have to say the Felted Baby Slip-ons are my favorite creation.
Describe your favourite working space.

The studio that we saw in Fiber Trends Magazine :) We can dream!

Thanks again, Bee, for this opportunity!

Your friends,Kim and Tara

Aren't they lovely!!! Now, go and find a friend and start designing!!!

Sandra Backlund - slow fashion

2009-05-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

I discovered this extremely talented designer through many websites linked to design rather than craft and have found that crochet and knitting hold their own in such august places. The skills involved, particularly with the more architectural quality of crochet, means that it can rise up from the prosaic and become a real artform.

Sandra Backlund has gained her design chops in establishments like Louis Vuitton and has been acknowleged by the international design community. Not bad for someone who first enrolled in a textile class when she was bored at university.

Hidden away in her studio in Stockholm, she works long and meticulously on her designs. Not for her the throw-away fashion we're so used to. As she says, "It depends how you see luxury. For me luxury is if something is made especially for you and it is made by someone, not just a machine that does it for anyone. And good quality fabrics and of course nowadays you want it to be friendly to the environment. It’s not about a logo or what it costs. But about how it is made, that it is unique, special. I see fashion as an art form. I could have chosen any direction for myself, design, photography, but for me fashion is a way to combine art and crafts and techniques. And fashion is such a big thing, everyone is involved with it one way or another. It’s pretty unavoidable which makes it very interesting to me."

She works up to 20 hours a day and the work is still unavailable which really raises its worth and quality. I'm very glad to see that she gets her mother to help out. Collaboration in the family is something to treasure.

Her design processes are fascinating and certainly ring some bells for me (in a modest way!).

"Mostly the possibility to improvise. I build the fabric and the garment while working on it, I can change my mind all the time. And of course knitwear is stretching so you can shape it in a different way than with fabric. It’s a bit like sculpting with clay. The material is alive. I invent the pieces while doing them."

The quotes are from an extensive interview which I would recommend anyone interested in this designer, giving real insight into what goes into such amazing pieces.

For your notebook

2009-05-14T00:22:00.000-07:00

I have changed the URL of my sewing blog, Sewing Bee, so do please note the change. Lovely posting about Lucie Summersville this week.

While you're waiting

2009-05-12T00:54:00.000-07:00

As a postscript to yesterday's post that I might be less evident in the next few days, why not trawl the chaincreative back catalogue? Although I might be in danger of blowing my own trumpet, there really is an awful lot of crochet material in the posts from last year and the year before. I must say I've accumulated many favourite posts and crochet material that I revisit from time to time for inspiration and information. Often I have the feeling that like a library, there are unvisited shelves that people may have forgotten about.

With this in mind, how about picking a post-from-the-past? May I recommend this one from the Voyages strand about Portugal with a great designer interview with Maria from Kjoo.

Treasures

2009-05-11T00:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you to lovely Yael of Yoola jewellery on Etsy who included me in her Treasury. These lists of carefully chosen collections are very highly sought after by Etsyers and shoppers alike as they are wonderful showcases for the very talented people on Etsy. They can be collated by colour or theme and I love to browse the hundreds (yes, that is really true) of fabulous treasurys on offer. I've always lusted after curating my own but they are incredibly difficult to obtain and you have almost to sit up all day and all night to get one! So congratulations to Yael.

Posting at the moment is a bit of a luxury for me as I'm up to my ears (and everything else, it feels like) in preparing for my jewellery workshop in June. I know it sounds pathetic. It's still 5 weeks away, but the amount of preparation is quite alot. It's better to be away from the computer and go and sit with a crochet hook, beads and wire.

Sorry but I will be back later in the week.

Finally there

2009-05-07T01:17:00.000-07:00

At last I've posted my first thoughts at sewing bee. It's really an introduction but will set the tone I hope. I want the new blog to have the same feel as chaincreative but with threads!
Of course I won't be neglecting my lovely crochet blog...it's far too precious. I'll be posting next week about a fantastic fashion designer from Sweden who uses crochet in extraordinary ways.

Plans afoot for Sewing Bee

2009-05-05T01:12:00.000-07:00

Planning to start another wee blog. Sewing this time!!! I'll be rummaging round the virtual world searching for all things needle and thread to bring to any of you who are fabric friendly. Let me know of any finds you make and we'll try and feature them. Crochet will always be there too but now it'll have a useful neighbour if a button falls off.

In a few days I'll be more prepared to let you through the door, but the packing cases are in the hall and you'ld only see it's bad points. Give me a few days and the welcome mat will be out.

Staying in touch

2009-05-02T02:02:00.000-07:00

I'm now officially a twittering wreck! As if it isn't enough that I babble away endlessly about stuff, I'm now going to tell everyone. You can now catch (if you want!!!) my daily musings on Twitter and check out the vibe at chaincreative, my twittering tag. Let me know if you're listening!

The latest pearl of wisdom is available here on the right or at twitter.com. I'll keep you notifyed of my favourite crochet finds on the web, yarn fave raves, tips and gripes and much, much more, as they say.

Nice touches

2009-04-30T00:55:00.000-07:00

It's happened again! I've been purchasing Japanese craft books again!! This time the offending book is a lovely felting book with lots of ideas for my felt workshops in the summer.

Etsy is wonderful for the number of businesses in Japan who supply books, fabric and notions that all have that wonderful delicacy that is so typical of many Japanese products. I find that the delivery is fantastic from Japan to the UK. That's a long way and anything I order seems to arrive super-quick.

This week, however, came with an extra, and really beautiful surprise! Everything I've received so far from different suppliers comes beautifully wrapped with lovely little thoughtful touches. A ribbon here, a special bag there but the book I ordered this week came with a very special present. My own orgami swan. Neatly tucked in a wee envelope with Miss Bee on the front. Fabulous. I was completely charmed. Could we start a trend? Surely it could certainly cheer the world up as much as it did me.

Here's a list of my favourite sellers on Etsy for Japanese products -

The orgami bird and felt book came from Rocobee

Pompadour's Craft Cafe

My Etsy Shop

CottonBlue

Matatabi

A Little Goodness

Saucy Louise

Now you can see why it's a bit of an obsession of mine. Have fun browsing!

Message Monday

2009-04-27T01:10:00.000-07:00

Last week on chaincreative was a bit like Grand Central Station with visitors from toutes a nos crochets who brought alot of new friends to my little blog. Hmm, very chaincreative! It's so lovely to have feedback and new input to the whole crochet thing. What is also nice is that the friends return and last week also brought some established friends of chaincreative into the studio.

First off is Guro from Hobbykroken (please check out the adorable little vest she's made for her little boy. Aw, cute!!). Guro has long been a blog friend and being Norwegian she knows all about the fabulous blogs from there. One particular one that she drew my attention to is Pickles and their gorgeous Nordic light pendant. The best bit is that they have provided a free pattern for it. That's the generosity of crocheters, I'd say! I love the very Scandanavian chic of it!

At the same time as all this, I've been scheming over my jewellery workshops that I'm running at my 'home in the country' for all my London crochet students. I really enjoy this cooking process that goes into a workshop. Planning projects is so much fun and I like to draw in any contacts I might have made and call on their expertise.

Two such friends are Maria from kjoo and Yael from yoola. Both are firm friends of chaincreative and you would know them both from Designer Interviews and many mentions in the past. I had contacted both for information and, as often happens, they were more than generous with their advise and direction. I thought I'd pass on some of their words of wisdom to you in order to complete the chain.

This first from Maria:

'Some tips about crochet jewelry: First of all, chose the best cotton thread possible, always mercerized cotton thread, or some organic threads, the pick gorgeous colors. This will make all the difference! Then I like to make the crochet as tight as possible, even it takes the double of the time to accomplish the work. It will make the item looks more three dimensional because the good quality mercerized thread plus the very tight "knots" will give the crochet a very "strong body", will make the item more heavy so will fit better.'

Now from Yael on her lovely blog, Design with a crochet hook, you'll find that we agonize constantly about our craft.

'Some people say that because I use a crochet hook it should be called crocheted, others say that although I use a crochet hook it should be called knitting.I needles say that some were VERY confident about which term should be used. I kept apologizing that I wasn't an English speaker, as if it wasn't clear.... and that maybe they were right. To be honest it wouldn't have been anymore easier in Hebrew, my mother tongue, or maybe it would have been because in Hebrew you use the same verb for both techniques =(SRIGA). But I think that all of this in the past now, yesterday while I was discussing this issue with a very experienced lady both with crochet and with knitting we came to term that actually I was working on an invisible spool.... I immediately fell in love with this term and decided to adopt it, I wonder how it will be accepted. I hope it will be clear that it is NOT real spool knitting (personally I don't really like spools, especially with metal). I would love to hear what you think.'

Attention crochet

2009-04-21T01:25:00.000-07:00

I have found a fantastic blog called single crochet and in-keeping with the theme this week, it's French!!! I wanted you all to go there as it's fantastique and will give alot of people inspiration and pleasure I hope. More later I'm sure.

I found single crochet through another adorable blog, sissi et loulou, which lifts the spirits with it's jolly colours and light and just check out that skirt. I adore it!!

A bientot!

And another thing

2009-04-20T01:17:00.000-07:00

Just one last word from the French!! This is such a cute idea for a bolero and you really could pick it up and run with it. Think of as many motifs as you can and adapt the pattern to suit.

We're back at Grannymania (you have to scroll down 3 posts to where I'm talking about) and there's more than just crazy granmothers who would wear this little number. It obviously started life as a Japanese pattern and you know I adore them.

I will pass you over to Granny and she in turn will redirect you to Talons Aiguilles. If you're not too savvy with the diagrams and ask sweetly, then there is a pdf pattern available. Maybe, if I'm feeling focused enough I'll post a quicky guide to diagram reading. I swear by them but I know alot of people are a wee bit scared of their squiggly little legs.

Bonjour, mes amis!!

2009-04-19T02:01:00.000-07:00

Give a big chaincreative welcome to all the French friends who have arrived from Toutes a nos crochets. Across the language barrier, crochet jumps over the divide!

Something for the weekend

2009-04-17T01:09:00.000-07:00

I love the French blogs that are listed on the right. My French is diabolical but I can understand enough and you can definitely pick up the enthusiasm despite the language gulf.

My travels without a suitcase brought me back to Toutes a nos crochets and I found this scarf project with links that brought me to a very nice step-by-step guide which I thought might interest you.

As well as Toutes a nos crochets, the scarf project has many French fans and different incarnations.

Heres Hier peut-etre with the pattern used as bracelet.
Then Adeltrala has made a choker.

She even posts a schematic pattern.

The best method is the one where you can look and learn and this one is available on Grannymania! What a fabulous name. Just what it says on the tin!!

Using the schematic pattern and the pictures gives you some idea without having to resort to the dictionary if you must. I just loved the way the motifs switch-backed onto each other.

A very nice way to create something on a sunny day.

Designer interview - Without Seams

2009-04-14T01:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I think it's about time for another Designer Interview. I've got a few bubbling in the stove and this one's baked!!! I love these interviews as they just keep giving! I'm so reassured when I learn the many ways that people come to crochet and how holistic it often is. Learning whilst awaiting for a baby - what a wonderful image. I also love the idea of adaptability that Michelle describes of her patterns and stitches. That is an aspect I particularly appreciate of crochet, it's general adaptability and ability to be changed. Anyway, enjoy the interview and hurry to this interesting and thoughtful blog. The patterns are beautifully written and the designs are very tempting. Chevron Lace Cardigan

Chain Creative Interview Questions of creativity and inspiration

The creative mind behind Without Seams!

Michelle, describe your various creative skills.

Knitting, crochet and I also enjoy dyeing and spinning.
When did you start to crochet and who taught you?

Eva's Shawl

My mother tried to teach me as a child but I couldn't get beyond crocheting a chain. I finally learnt when I was overdue with my second child. My mother-in-law was staying with me, and we both decided to learn from a book to pass the time whilst waiting for my second daughter to arrive.
The name of the business is interesting. What was the inspiration behind it?
My blog name Without Seams comes from my love of knitting and crocheting seamlessly in the round.
What influences your style and output? What are your inspirations?
One of the big influences in my crochet design is Elizabeth Zimmermann - even though she didn't crochet.

I am influenced both by her interesting, and often seamless construction techniques, and also by her concept of writing recipes rather than row by row instructions. There is usually some adaptable element to my designs, they can either be worked with different yarn weights or the size of the finished project can be varied to suit the intended recipient.
What are the most important aspects of your work to you?
I try to make my designs simple but adaptable so that whoever tries the pattern can add their own touches to make their project their own. I try to use simple pattern stitches, which hopefully do not require too much concentration.
Which project or piece of work are you most proud of?
Probably Eva's shawl - this is one of my most popular designs, and I love seeing different variations of it.

Eva's Shawl

When are you most happy when you’re working?
When I am trying out a new idea and it actually works out!

Thank you for chatting!

Love Bee

The Italian Earthquake and how crochet can help

2009-04-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

Although I don't want to downplay the enormity of this, I never thought that crochet could be mentioned in the same sentence as the telling of the stories of survivors from the terrible devastion in Abruzzo, Italy. My heart goes out to those trying to make sense of it all and tremendous respect to the nonna of ninety plus who resorted to her crochet in a time of crisis. How many times have I (and many others, I guess) said how relaxing I find it but never could I have imagined that it could also be a protection of sorts from a horrifying situation. May she have a speedy recovery with her crochet and her life! Here are two reports on the story from The Australian and Italy Mag.

A 98-YEAR-OLD woman was pulled from the rubble of L'Aquila last night, 30 hours after an earthquake devastated the historic Italian town.
The rescue came as the death toll in Italy's deadliest earthquake in nearly 30 years rose to 207 and left tens of thousands sheltering in makeshift camps.

Maria D'Antuono told the ANSA news agency she whiled away the time by "doing crochet". Sky TG24 said the woman was in good condition.
A 98-year-old grandmother rescued 30 hours after Monday's earthquake in Abruzzo said she had whiled away the time ''crocheting'' amid the rubble.
Firemen on Tuesday morning found Maria D'Antuoni waiting in her bed surrounded by fallen plaster in the small village of Tempera.
D'Antuoni ate some crackers and told television crews ''at least let me comb my hair'' as they waited for an interview.
''What did I do all this time? I was working, I was crocheting,'' she said.

Love Summer

2009-04-06T00:32:00.000-07:00

The wind still has a bite in it but summer is around the corner so it's important to forward-plan!!!

Making a dress might be a thought - time to figure out patterns and then get the darn thing made!

I was immediately put in mind for this idea by the fashion section of the Sunday Observer last week. Stella McCartney often champions the craft industry by including knitwear and crochet and I love the dress/tunic at the top of the post.

Filet crochet is an area that is a little neglected in the pattern books and it is nice to see it brought right into style.

In my collection of vintage patterns I rustled up a great publication from 1976, McCall's Summer Crochet and I thought a pattern for the blog might get the ball rolling.

I was a bit spoiled for choice as there alot of filet patterns but instead I went for a hoodie (no jokes here please) which could look stunning as a stand-alone dress.

If you try it out then let me know how it goes.

Secret Spring

2009-04-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring to all of us in the Northern Hemisphere. The light is brighter, the birds are singing and the flowers are blooming.

Here is a beautiful spray of cherry blossom from Suili. The secret is...they're crocheted!!!!!

Time to crochet

2009-03-30T01:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the pun title but the post was crying out for some sort of comment!
Lovely Aveen from angeltreats sent me an e-mail the other day about a post on design*sponge (the loveliest of the design blogs) and she wanted to pass on to us crochet fanatics. These clocks are from an Etsy designer at andfurthermore and are so quirky and useful at the same time.

The print is from dee beale and, although not a doily in the strictest sense, gives a crochet-girl pause for thought. It really puts me in mind of those beautiful sculptural doilies from Suzy_12 in my starch post last week.

The clocks are such a cool idea and would lend themselves to so many projects, both large and small. It runs nicely on from the starching ideas of last week. Isn't it funny, when you think of something then lots of ideas seem to leap to your attention? The starch post seems to be so relevant to many things I've been reading about this weekend (doily clocks being one of them) and I'll be posting about another at the end of the week.

So time marches on!

Summer of '68

2009-03-27T02:11:00.000-07:00

Alot was happening in 1968 and not least some fine crochet!!! I've just taken delivery of yet another vintage Vogue Knitting book from Summer 1968, chock full of the most wonderful patterns and all set in around Shannon Airport in Ireland. Do not ask me why but the emphasis is Irish which means we all get to enjoy many an Irish crochet pattern. As this week is 'starch' week, I thought that it all blends together nicely.

As a little spring gift, I'm posting the motif pattern to this dress for you to adapt and experiment with - even throw in some starch. Enjoy!!!

A little starch

2009-03-25T03:54:00.000-07:00

My jewellery projects and plans have set me thinking of different types of crochet. Wire is, of course, the obvious. Jewellery needs structure to be effective. There are other ways, however, of giving your crochet work some 'backbone' and starch is one of them. It's an area that I haven't strayed into but many others have and on Flikr there is a whole group devoted to it, Starch It! started by Inger Carina who some might remember for her starched crochet TV!!
You can really starch anything but some items lend themselves better than others and filet crochet seems to be the favoured medium. It has some pedigree as the Victorian method of crochet, filet, really blossoms with a bit of starch. It really shows off the lacey effect. Many people stick to the doily idea and I think that this crocheter, Suzy_12, that I found on Flikr really can 'do' doilies. I love these, they're so structural which is what I'm drawn to. Of course, there are many other ideas you can go with. Tea-cups for some reason are very popular. Perhaps because they work so well. Pushing the idea further along, designers have made lamps which I think are stunning.

A designer who keeps popping up in this context is Marcel Wanders and his lighting and seating ideas. Strangely I think we're coming full circle as these designs are very much in a tradition that we've explored before with Joan Vasconcelos from Portugal.

For us mere mortals, a few lessons might not go amiss and there are plenty of how-to sites to dip (without the starch!!!)into. I've selected a few but there are many forums that will help you if you do decide to get the starch pot out.

The basics

Questions of starching

Good luck and please let me know if you've ever tried this out.

Designer interview - Steph from Hook and Scumble

2009-03-20T02:22:00.000-07:00

Well, it's a real pleasure to have an interviewee who can really demonstrate the healing properties of crochet!!! I think we'd all agree but it's never been documented so clearly as with Steph Phillips of Hook and Scumble. It just goes to show how a love of crochet from an early age can be used as a means to recovery after a serious health event! It's also a great opportunity to read about a designer's work with wire rather than yarn.

Chain Creative Interview
Questions of creativity and inspiration

Hi Steph! Let's get the preliminaries over first! Whereabouts are you from? A small Georgian Market Town in rural Bedfordshire.

And your business details?
Blog address (if you have one)HookandScumble

Describe your various creative skills.

My mum always tells the story of me as a 4 year old discovering how to make making paper doilies as Christmas decorations ... she reports they were massed produced until at least Easter ! Consequently from a young age I dabbled in all sorts of crafts but am most at home when sewing and crocheting. However I also enjoy embroidery, patchwork and quilting, felting , designing and making jewellery , drawing , baking and gardening ( in the allotment sense i.e edible !).

When did you start to crochet and who taught you?
I was taught to crochet when I was about 8 by my mum, and became so frustrated with it did not pick my hook up again until I was 17, when I was taking my Art A-level Exam. The brief was “ interwoven” and so I went back to my mum and asked her to try again... I spent every spare moment trying crocheting with different materials – yarn, wire, plastic bags..and also went onto develop a technique for producing porcelain crochet pieces. The work gained me a place at art college.

The name of the business is interesting. What was the inspiration behind it?
Last year I became seriously unwell, and following some life saving surgery came home to find myself facing a slow and lengthy recovery. I decided that crochet was the medicine needed to help my recovery, but got tired so quickly I was unable to concentrate on reading a pattern. All I was able to do was pick up my hook and scumble ( freeform crochet). I decided that when fully recovered, this would be the name I would use to launch my work.

What influences your style and output? What are your inspirations?
I have always been fascinated with the properties of metal, and studied 3 Dimensional Design for 2 years where I focused on jewellery. I later combined this with my interest in textiles by exploring crocheting with wire – both using a more structured design approach as well as a freeform approach. I have been influenced by the work of Arline. M Fisch as well as James Walters and the late Sylvia Cosh.

What are the most important aspects of your work to you?
I think I’m most happy when I’ve finished the design process and I can start swatching, and making up samples. At this point I find it easier to see whether the finished piece will look like my original design, or whether I need to make adjustments in colour, texture or the overall look. Nothing however is ever wasted, just recycled or added to one of my journals as reference for the next time.

Which project or piece of work are you most proud of?
Hmmm, a difficult one. Recently, I’ve been putting a collection together for an exhibition at a local gallery and have been enjoying free forming with wire ...I ended up designing and crocheting a “hyperbolic” freeform brooch...which I loved so much I’ve decided to keep !

Silver plated and coloured copper wire, Hyperbolic freeform Crochet Brooch

Describe your favourite working space.
I used to have a workshop in my parents garage that my father built – but they have recently downsized and moved so I lost that work space. Most of my work now is done roving around the house trying not upset to many people with bags and trays full of various projects....so I dream of a purpose built studio where everything is light, bright, organised and at hand....but for the time being I will have to be content with my dining room table !

Silver plated Broomstick Crocheted wire , Textile , beaded “Frost Fusion” cufflett

Silver plated Hairpin lace crocheted choker with shell .

Thank you for chatting!

Love Bee

Updates and some jewellery highlights

2009-03-16T02:20:00.000-07:00

I'm in the early process of thinking about my jewellery workshops in the summer. I want to be able to create an atmosphere of feverish creativity!!! Or just a really pleasant day in the country with some like-minded crochet addicts and some wire and beads!!!

Anyway, when you're starting on a project like this, it's a good idea to get lots of material to inspire and inform and of course the best place is with those who are talented and prolific. Immediately I thought of a couple of chaincreative's friends, Veerle at nevousinstallezpas and Yoola at Design with a crochet needle. Both designers are wonderful for the amount they tell you about their creative thoughts and for a look at what goes into the making of crochet jewellery and, in the case of Yoola, working with wire. I hope you love their work as much as I do and visit their blogs which are personal journeys with their work.

Now I can find some starting points for my thoughts for the summer workshops. They should be really inspiring!

Woven crochet

2009-03-13T02:07:00.000-07:00

Back from a quick trip to Norfolk (the big sky of England) and fooling around on the internet I stumbled across an Australian designer who I've passed on to you before - Sarah London, who I featured as part of the granny square thread. This time was after I had been viewing some vintage patterns on ebay and a particularly good source, Patrician 1098. In amongst the many wonderful vintage Vogue magazines was one for gloves and mittens and a pattern for Norwegian woven crochet. Hmm, woven crochet? So I googled and found Sarah's flikr pages which certainly gave me a lovely jolt of colour this morning. The room positively lit up when the Wool-Eater Blanket came on the screen and you can see the pattern on her ex-blog (she's just moved to another address). Wow!

The woven crochet came to light with her picture and tutorial for a fascinating little sample which leaves so much room for adaption and is a simple as waking up on a bright morning!!! Check her tutorial for this as well.

So back to the original motivation for this, Norway. I found a beautiful example from Etsy and The High North out of Oslo. The warmth of this cosy blanket must be enhanced

by all the woven work.

Plans for the summer

2009-03-09T01:54:00.000-07:00

This is my latest 'baby' and very exciting it is too!!! I'm very lucky in that I live in quite a pleasant part of England and it's great fun to organise the occasional crochet get-together away from the smoky city. This year is particularly interesting as I'm planning events that are specific rather than general crochet projects. I'm keen to delve further into jewellery and felting so that's it for 2009. Sorted!!! It seems that every year there is more and more interest in developing skills and I'm always happy to encourage that!!! I know that many readers of chaincreative live far from South East England but anyone out there who might be interested then get in touch!

Designer interview - Fringe

2009-03-06T01:05:00.000-08:00

As promised in the preceding post, I am happy to introduce (but then, you might know her work already) to a very talented crochet designer whose work features extensively through the markets of the internet sphere. I know from my teaching and working experience that most crocheters love to create something wearable and Fringe is a perfect example of someone who also makes a business of her skill. I hope that hers and other designer interviews might give you the inspiration to start your own business.

The pictures I've chosen I think give a real flavour of her work on Etsy.
Your name
Fringe (aka Dennice)
Where you’re from?
San Diego, California
Website
http://www.fringe.etsy.com/
Blog address
http://www.dennicemankarious.blogspot.com/
Now we have the preliminaries out the way can you describe your various creative skills!
I knit, crochet, embroider, sew, and design the items I make. I love doing all kinds of creative things, but for my business it’s the previous skills I mentioned.
When did you start to crochet and who taught you?
My babysitter taught me to crochet when I was the ripe old age of 4. Her name was Lucy and she was the sweetest, gentlest woman. I remember very clearly asking her to teach me.
The name of the business is interesting. What was the inspiration behind it?
A dear friend of mine came up with the name Fringe when she and I were brainstorming for a name for my business. She thought of it because so many of my pieces have fringe on them. (I hope the picture I've chosen gives a nice visual for your name choice!)
What influences your style and output? What are your inspirations?
My inspirations are music, nature; many, many things inspire me. Ideas come to me while I’m sleeping, or driving down the road, or cooking. I can be in the middle of a conversation with someone and an idea will hit me. I always carry a pad of paper and pencil with me. Classic movies are a big influence to me as well. What are the most important aspects of your work to you? The designs themselves are important. Also, the quality of each piece. I spend a great deal of time and effort with each piece. I take pride in my work. For me, it’s very important to that I love my designs. I have a passion for them.
Which project or piece of work are you most proud of?
That is really hard for me to answer. I’m proud of all my pieces. I don’t mean that in a bragging sort of way. I mean I love all of them. They are all a piece of me. It’s been an honor for me to have one of my items chosen to represent Etsy on the Martha Stewart Show. Also, I was given the grand opportunity to be featured in Knitscene Magazine’s Fall ’08 issue. Wow!!!!
When are you most happy when you’re working?
I’m most happy during the design process and then when that design comes to fruition. There is such a sense of accomplishment. I guess I love the entire process! I’m always so thrilled too when a client writes to me to say how much she or he loves their Fringe original. It’s what makes my work so rewarding.I’d like to say thank you for your interest in my work. It’s an honor to be featured on your blog. I hope everyone who reads this will be inspired to create with their own original style.
Thank you so much, Dennice, I'm sure it will spark alot of interest in business-minded and just plan envious crocheters alike!!!
Bee

Spring cover-up

2009-03-03T01:05:00.000-08:00

I love to travel the net looking for crochet and gorgeous design and there are many of my favourites listed on your right. There is, however, one designer and blogiste who I visit alot. She has an inspirational eye for a brief window in time which she captures on camera and we have the pleasure of sharing that perfect moment. Jeanette Lunde at Fryd + design has been on my radar since the first days of chaincreative and I know many of you are keen fans too.

I wanted to draw attention to some of her recent projects as they are a nice introduction to our Designer Interview at the end of the week.

Jeanette has been doing a little featurette on Spring, which in her native Norway, is probably welcomed with open arms! Although we may not all have severe winter weather, a little shrug or shawl can be a lovely alternative on a sunny spring day. Jeanette's take on this is adorable and such delicate colour. It really inspired me to finish a capelet of mine and sort out a pattern to put in my Etsy shop.

An up-and-coming interviewee, Leila and Ben, have an adorable capelet pattern in PDF format which might set your crochet creative juices going.

Take a look at the picture and see what you think. I love it, it's almost an evening project for the snow predicted tomorrow!!

Back to Fryd + design and an idea that obviously interests Jeanette. Taking a simple, and easily obtainable, lamp frame she's decorated these and kept the design 'light' but springy. Such a simple concept but so effective.

As I said at the beginning of the post, Jeanette's collar is a nice intro for a designer who is a stalwart of Etsy and appears regularly in Poppytalk handmade markets. Dennice at Fringe is a prolific crochet maker and designer and I'm sure will be an inspiring interviewee. See her thoughts on the subject at the end of the week.

Mean anything?

2009-02-26T09:53:00.000-08:00

I've been chatting to a crocheter struggling to finish the Nico dress in Vintage Crochet. I loved her comment!!!!

“So you crochet, so shall you undo.”

Shop windows

2009-02-23T00:59:00.000-08:00

I'm spreading my wings a wee bit as you'll see. As well as having online shops with notonthehighstreet and Etsy, I now have a shop at Da Wanda and an 'exhibition' at papernstitch. Although my products pretty much are carried by all of the companies, as an experience they are all completely different and are great to visit for retail therapy or as a way of realising how much talent there is globally! We've never had it so good. To be able to go from high street to main street to whatever street in whichever country. Wow, that's some adventure.

Bags of fun - Lisa Stickley

2009-02-21T02:07:00.000-08:00

Despite the gloom I've been shopping. Only a teeny bit because we've all got to be a little 'sensible shoes' at this moment but anyway... A lovely shop in my local cathedral city is having to close due to the recession, Baby Love (they're online so I don't have to be completely deprived) and so I rushed in there before the final day and bought my beautiful project bag for all my...projects!!! They're stocking lots of lovely bags from Lisa Stickley which they'll be selling through their new venture, LinetheNest, in the Spring.

Lisa Stickley is someone I've clocked before for her style and sensitivity and her website is a joy. And I can go shopping there too!!! Virtually or by hopping on a bus south from Charing Cross. Hurrah! But if that isn't possible then there's online. It'll be the saviour of us all if the rents go up and the shops close.

My projects are now very happy but haven't disappeared. There's a hat for Fiona and a hooks bag and sewing kit for Rose and Susan. There's a pinafore I'm making from a Japanese book in Mericash which is also what I'm using for my Sunday Morning gloves which are in a heavenly blue and a pious (I'm carrying on the Sunday theme!!) brown.

I don't think my pussycat liked being snapped. He's such a divo!

The woods are alive

2009-02-18T01:06:00.000-08:00

Bio-diversity isn't a speciality of nature alone. It's alive and very-much kicking in crochet!!! I found a wonderful designer through the wonderful blog Lime and Violet. I love it's sub-title, The Daily Chum! Let them speak for themselves. 'Lime and Violet is a mostly-weekly podcast about life, yarn, and knitting (in that order), started in June, 2006. In August ‘06, it was expanded into a message board community, and in May ‘07, an online shop.
Now, there’s a centralized place to come to online every day to find the newest books, yarns, and media reviews to enrich your knitting life.'

Whilst there, I spent a happy half hour or so just browsing their 'crochet' link and found a gem to pass onto you. Under their 'Freaks of Nature' post I found this amazing designer, Elaine Bradford.

So I grabbed my butterfly-net and went a-hunting on her web-site. Her vision of animals and nature in a state of change or distortion isn't frightening and really gives rather a warm, fuzzy image. As she says in her own statement, 'My sculptures are both sad and amusing, straddling the line between reality and comfortable, warm nonsense.' As readers to the blog know, I'm very happy to study all the multi-flavours crochet comes in, the small, the large and the weird. I've got a nice little collection of building projects to share so I think that'll be coming up shortly.

Until then, enjoy the wonderful world of Elaine Bradford and watch out for bears!

Blogs we like

2009-02-10T01:16:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to shout about two blogs that I really like and thought that they needed signposting to you crocheters. Both are great for seeing the thought that goes into making something and I'm sure will ring some bells for all of us. We may not take pictures of our work in progress but we can all identify with the many ways we consider what to do next.

First up is from Denmark and is written by Mette an art director and crocheter. Mettetations is a meditation on crochet and very readable.

Next is withoutseams which has some fascinating stuff to look at - not least free patterns which are fabulous for a soggy winter's morning. I'm hoping that Michelle will submit herself for a chaincreative interview in the near future!

I popped in a picture from my gallery of projects to illustrate today's post. Meditations on a beach cover-up!!!!

Designer interview - Cheri Sanders (mother) and Tracey Galloway (daughter) from Cosy up

2009-02-07T00:58:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know I said that I would post this interview yesterday but suddenly there were orders to get out and I wanted to finish everything in the Bee@Home inbox. This got me to thinking and it leads neatly into our Designer Interview. Working from home is a wonderful way to earn a little money but, more importantly, fulfill a skill and dream you may have. It's made even better if you can share some of that with another member of the family and our interviewees today, Tracey and Cheri of cosyup, are perfect examples of that family spirit of co-operation and mutual respect. Tracey shows how wonderful it is to learn a skill from her talented mom and I'm sure alot of us have mothers to thank for their crochet abilities. I think the Camille Capelet at the top of the post is beautiful.

Describe your various creative skills.

Tracey: My mother and I have always been creative in one way or another. Our home growing up was filled with mom’s lovely creations, from handmade tables and stools, to dolls and doilies. She was always making something to make our house a cosy home. In addition to crochet, I enjoy painting and scrapbooking and taking photographs of my adorable baby nephew.

When did you start to crochet and who taught you?

Cheri: For me it would be when we lived in El Paso and I was pregnant with Danielle and had no car in the beginning to get around. I couldn't cook because I was always sick so decided to teach myself macramé, knitting and crochet. I kept it up when we moved to Georgia and was making mostly doilies for the house and doll clothes for Barbie and Cabbage Patch dolls.

Darby Cowl

Tracey: Most of the items in our shop are made by my mom, but shortly after we started selling her creations on Etsy I asked her to show me how to crochet. Since then I’ve been addicted and have added a few pieces here and there to the shop. It is such a wonderful (and therapeutic) hobby that has been a special craft my mom and I can share.

The name of the business is interesting. What was the inspiration behind it?Tracey: I was trying to help my mom start up her business on Etsy, I knew if she could get her work seen by more than just friends and family that the public would love her work as much as we did. I was brainstorming for some name ideas and had been reading an article about ways to cosy up your home, and the idea of “cosy up” just stuck with me. It seemed like the perfect way to describe mom’s scarves, handmade goodies to cosy up your closet!

Carly Mini-scarf and flower

What influences your style and output? What are your inspirations?

Tracey: I think the biggest inspiration for our shop is the yarn itself, we both could spend all the money we make on all of the different and beautiful yarns out there! The gorgeous colors and textures just beg to be made into something lovely.

What are the most important aspects of your work to you?

Cheri: I guess that would be the end result. I'm always amazed at the beauty of each piece and that I was able to accomplish that.

Darlene Capelet

Which project or piece of work are you most proud of?

Cheri: I think each new piece is always my favorite and I can't wait to begin the next one.

When are you most happy when you’re working?

Tracey: I think I can speak for us both in saying that we are happiest right in the middle of a project, sitting quietly and feeling the softness of the yarn between our fingers, knowing we are creating something comfy and cosy that will hopefully find a perfect home with someone special. xo,

Tracey and Cheri

Friends fantastic

2009-02-05T00:45:00.000-08:00

My wee blog is doing just what it says on the tin. It's chaincreative!!!!! Nearly every day now I take a peek at who has been visiting and increasingly I can see that there are new friends joining in and they, very kindly I must say, mention me on their blogs. As I said in an earlier post these are really good places to visit and get new ideas and when you go travelling you some times get tempted off into all sorts of new avenues.

Today, chaincreative was visited by a crocheter from London who I met in real time too when she came to my crochet classes. Now she's all grown-up and has a blog of her own, Angel Treats, and that certainly makes be twinkle with pride!!! It's a lovely, friendly place and there's crochet! Amigurumi to be precise.

Another visitor is Hook and Scumble, and there is crochet jewellery there too!

Amigurumi. Jewellery!!? These are my two choices for summer workshops here in Kent. Isn't that just synchronicity!

Tomorrow is interview day here at chaincreative. I wonder who it will be??

Snow crackers

2009-02-02T01:23:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, that alot of you have enough snow to keep the whole world in snowballs and too much of the stuff is really annoying but...We love it here at chaincreative as it comes only once (if we're lucky) a year and doesn't stay long enough for us to bitch about it!!! Anyways, the start of it was very fortunate as all my kids and their wives and girlfriends were home and they had soooo much fun. Even the snowman was a bit of a dandy with his jaunty hat. He'll have a scarf today once I've kitted myself up in arctic wear!
Anyway, once that's done and the birds have something to get their beaks into instead of ice crystals, I've got projects and this is just the tip of my crochet iceberg!!

I love this as an opportunity to focus on all those little niggling crochet jobs that need doing but get put to the back of the pending cupboard. That is, however, after I've gone to play in the snow!!

In the laboratory

2009-01-30T00:55:00.000-08:00

I'm plotting a new idea which is always fun but does, sometimes, feel like pulling teeth!! You'll be walking along and not looking where you're going because you've got a head full of stitches and a plan brewing.

Anyway, I'm very pleased as my plan is to use some yarn that I bought at Prick Your Finger from Jamiesons of Shetland - this is a quote from their website which sets the mood - 'In the early 1890's, Robert Jamieson started up a small business in Sandness on the far west coast of the Shetland Isles. From this shop he bought, or exchanged for goods, knitwear from the local crofters. These hand-spun, handknitted garments were made from the wool of their own native sheep, every piece unique. Hats, gloves, mitts, stockings, underclothing, sweaters (known locally as 'ganseys') and in particular, the intricate Shetland lace shawls, veils and stockings, which were at the height of their popularity at the turn of the century.'

The yarns are coarser than traditional shetland yarn in order to be more durable but the yarn has such an authentic feel to it and I really liked the colours. It is great for crochet as it is 'smooth' and keeps it's shape well. Perfect for my little idea which is keeping me from walking in a straight line!!! I'm also putting some chain into the mix so you might be getting a clearer view of my plans!!! As I said, Etsy is marvellous for supplies and I've had super fun ordering different lengths of chain and charms from various companies. My favourites have been Patina Queen, Olay and Share Living. These people are scattered across the world, Turkey, USA and Hong Kong, but delivery was speedy and friendly and everything I ordered was perfect!!

That really is Chain Creative. Ha ha.

A good place to visit

2009-01-27T01:06:00.000-08:00

I do love taking a peep at who is visiting the chaincreative studio and I wondered if you're intrigued too!! I thought I'd just list a few here and start a little roll of honour to them and many more on the side bar (take a look at the (chain)Creative Blog list on the right).

First off is Peony Designs who keeps a discreet list of so many interesting links that I love to dip in and go off into the world of virtual crochet and design.

The Kids are Alright is another happy place to go and pick up on a little design with a typical English twist.

Now, as you know, I'm a bit of a fan of all things Scandanavian and I will always give a shout for Jeanette at Fryd + Design but there are many more in the land of snow and here is Hilde at Muskrat.

Do you mind if I knit is very much a diary of one creative person's life with some beautiful work on display.

Delicious is a 'bookmarks' site that allows people to gather their favourite blogs together with tags which just adds to the fun! Just search for crochet and you'll see what I mean

Of course, there are visits from Alicia Paulson's wonderful blog, Veerle at nevousinstallezpas, Helle at gooseflesh, Marianne at heegeldab and Guro at hobbykroken. These are top friends too and they have their pride of place on the right as well.

Just to whet your appetite for more, I've found some French blogs that are fascinating even to the non-French speaker. Petite Pimprenelle has some terrific crochet as does Crochet City and Toutes a nos crochets which rounds up this little post. These were all links I found on another regular visitor from A petits pas et librement.I will add to the list as friends visit so keep your eyes firmly to the right!!

Vintage performance

2009-01-22T00:56:00.000-08:00

Apologies if this reads a little like an advert but I wanted to let anyone interested know that I've started filling my wee shop, Bee@Home, on Etsy with PDF patterns of my own crochet designs and selections of my extensive vintage pattern collections. So if any of you are interested in creating something typical of the 1940's or 50's then there's a pattern for you!!! This number will increase throughout this and the following weeks so keep checking. The majority of the commercial patterns are from the States as they were pretty 'out there' on knitwear design in those decades. As I said on Monday, the challenge of these patterns is in the extensive use of stitches that are now rarely used so it's our duty to keep these things alive.

This one I saw earlier

2009-01-20T00:52:00.000-08:00

In an earlier post I wrote about A Stitch in Time by Jane Waller and it's enduring appeal. It's the only book of it's kind that collected such a diverse selection of vintage knitting and crochet patterns over a 60-70 year period. For all us vintage fans that's quite a book to have in one's library. The problem was that for a long time it had been out of print since it's publication in the 1970's. It had become a collector's piece with a price tag to match. Now, hurray, the lovely people at knitonthenet have revived this grand old lady and spruced her up with new colour shots of the patterns and it is perfect. Even better is the price you'll have to pay, about £28 direct from knitonthenet. Their introduction sums it all up beautifully, 'This book is inspirational not just to the knitter but also to the designer, collector, fashion student, dress historian, stylist and anyone in love with yesteryear.'

If you are a lover of all things vintage then the internet will really cater for your needs. crochetpatterncentral is an ever-changing and increasing collection of many of the vintage patterns out there and is worth checking regularly.

My usual port-of-call is ebay and there are several sellers there who have regular sales of vintage knitting and crochet patterns through from the 1930's to the present day. If you're beginning to want to spread your wings into more challenging patterns then you can't go far wrong with a pattern from an earlier time. The 1940's and 50's patterns use techniques and styling that is sadly missing from many of the present day fashion patterns. I really recommend a visit.

I've included a couple of images from my collection of patterns from 1940's USA. Chic!!!

As a footnote to last weeks 'rug' posting take a look at this picture. Isn't this a great way to bring the floor to you!!! And, of course, you recognise the design from last week from the wonderful Paola Lenti.

Just to remind you

2009-01-16T00:48:00.000-08:00

Thank you for all the nice comments you leave about the blog and my creative musings. It's really terrific to know that there are people from around the globe that like to read all about crochet.

While I was pondering on the next post I was still thinking about the last and I suddenly realised that there was a great example of what I'd been talking about, and right under my nose! Vintage Crochet by Susan Cropper at Loop with, of course, many wonderful designs (and some by me!!!).

The one that I was particularly recalling was the Picnic Blanket and the lovely picture that Kristin took on the gate into our neighbouring field. Lots of nice memories and I was especially pleased with how the blanket turned out. With a central panel crocheted in fabric and outer motifs in a combination of fabric and linen yarn from Texere, this was a project that worked out really well. The book is now in it's second print-run so it seems there are many crocheters who love it too.

Please take off your shoes

2009-01-13T01:18:00.000-08:00

I was horrified this week when I realised how many unfinished projects I've got on the back burner. I'm starting to work my way through them but then I find some gorgeous pattern or yarn and then I run off in the wrong direction again!!!

This kind of disorganisation means I've got so much yarn and I've even got it colour-sorted in an effort to kick start some action. This got me thinking how I could use it all up and still love what I've made. I've also got alot of short measures of fabric and then I really had a light-bulb moment. Rugs!!!
This got me exploring the virtual stratosphere and I found the familiar and the inspiring.

Let's start with inspiration and Paola Lenti in collaboration with Patricia Urquiola and Eliana Gerotto as collaborators she uses crochet as a design inspiration for a number of beautiful rugs. As described on bonluxat 'Crochet, produced with a wool rope, becomes a refined rug for indoor environments. Flowers and leaves are hand crocheted, assembled and sewn by hand to a support net.' and further on architonic, 'Crochet is a precious hand crocheted floral rug for indoor and outdoor. The flowers and leaves that form the rug are hand crocheted and then sewn by hand to a synthetic net backing which allows them to hold their shape and position on the floor. Crochet is produced with a wool braid for indoor use and with a Rope braid for the outdoors. Rope is a Paola Lenti’s signature material, conceived and developed to offer high performances in outdoor environments, in terms of endurance and resistance to atmospheric agents.'

I find these designs really exciting and imaginative. Their origins are very much in the craft area and this got me thinking about the homespun rather than manufactured. There's lots of inspiration to draw from and the free pattern from Blue Sky Alpacas still holds the strong simple colour palette of the designers.
To get a more log cabin feel then you can't go wrong with a bit of a tear-up and make a rag rug. There's alot of info out there and I knew that craftystylish would come to the rescue with a tutorial and I also found a really helpful resource with Vintage Chica. So grab that gigantic hook and a pair of scissors!!

If you're looking for patterns, I can only recommend the Vogue on the Go series and Felted Crochet with this beautiful rug by Simona Merchant-Dest.

Finally the Circle Motif Rug from Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution by Kim Werker from Interweave. I'll finish here but I think this subject is going to need some expansion so put your feet up and relax till I'm back!

New Year's plans

2009-01-06T01:14:00.000-08:00

We're so excited at chaincreative with lots of new plans for the blog this year and the most exciting project at the moment is planning the Designer Interviews for the next few months. They're a positive flock of talented contenders lined-up for your delight and I know you'll not be surprised to learn that they're all just the nicest people. Let me give you just a sample of their kind and generous replies to my interview request.

'Oh yes we've seen you're blog, it's fantastic. We would love to answer some questions. Anything that helps spread the love of crochet.Cheers,Brigitte and Janine'

'What a lovely message you have sent me. I would be delighted to answer some questions for your wonderful blog. I'm honored that you asked. Dennice.'

'Thank you so much for your beautiful message. We are thrilled by your interview request. You have the most amazing crochet blog we have seen on the net. We can not thank you enough for this lovely opportunity. Asyegul'

To whet your appetite for this exciting event let me just let you into a sneak preview of the proposed list of crochet heroes with their beautiful creations that I've pictured (from the top of the post down)with their creations in brackets:

IrregularExpressions (fabulous Lavendula necklace)

Gitte (cute Boo pendant)

LeilaandBen (Earflap hat pattern)

Hedda Vatter (decorative felt stone necklace)

Fringe (Out-of-the-Past Capelet)

Cosy up (Camille Capelet)

Is that enough to get the creative juices flowing? I think it's going to be a very happy crochet new year!

Before you do anything in 2009

2009-01-02T01:04:00.000-08:00

The reason I set up this blog was to keep the crochet community informed. It all started with my classes and an attempt to capture the enthusiasm I found there. I figured that if people loved crochet they'd love to read about it and extend their new-found knowledge.

I don't know if that worked out but I did find out that I really enjoyed the research and I found lots of crochet-crazees like me. It might not be the most read blog in the world but it did seem to be exactly what it says at the top. It has become a creative chain of like-minded people.

The important thing is to keep growing. If you love crochet as much as me, then check out these places for many hours of happy browsing. First off, Etsy, a terrific gathering place to buy and sell the handmade. I bought a ton of presents this year for Christmas and I was confident that what I was buying was a product of the designer. As far as crochet is concerned, apart from the many creators of crochet products, there many designers on the site who offer great pdf patterns for us to take a peek at.

Stitchdiva (one of their patterns is pictured here) is a treasury for the crocheter and knitter and I go there for any queries or info that I need. They love their crochet and there are tons of patterns on offer there and any amount of advice and help. Knitty (the lovely earring picture is at the top of our posting today) and Ravelry come into the same category. Ravelry is huge and you'll find many designers publish their ideas and patterns here. You have to submit for membership but that is a formality and once you're there then it's happy reading and discussing.

OK, that's a start on your journey and if you want to spread your wings a bit and have a good look at the chatter out in crochet land then you need to follow the chain. I find that there are a few really good general sites that I visit alot. Crochetinsider has some interesting interviews with crochet designers which will give you some idea of the process involved in design. Craft magazine is for all the craft skills but is a terrific resource for crochet ideas and links. In the same stable comes craftystylish which lets you into all sorts of crochet secrets. Last, but not least, Lion Brand yarns have free patterns and advice galore.

So now we begin another year and I'm ready with my hook to teach a few more to enjoy the skill as much as I do and to inspire more interest in its craft and design. Happy New Year!!!!!

What chaincreative loved about 2008

2008-12-31T01:42:00.000-08:00

So much has happened on chaincreative this year and as it draws to it's close I thought it would be fun to just take a long look back.
Great crochet blogs are such a treat to find and I found some gems. From Belgium there were our friends Karlita and Veerle with their blogs. Chaincreative travelled virtual-style to Belgium to check out their home turf and found a very inspiring buzz happening there. Veerle gave us a real insight into her technique and we count her as a real friend to this blog. The Voyages strand was so much fun to research and write and after Belgium we went to Portugal and Israel. Both countries have a long tradition of crochet and some exciting talent is out there for us to enjoy. From Portugal comes Maria with
her wonderful work on Etsy under the name kjoo. Her work is stunning and constantly changing.
Another great artist is from Israel. Yael is a designer in metal and this really allows us to see the versatility of crochet. Her work on Etsy is under the name of Yoola and we've done a great profile of her work and inspirations on the Visual Arts strand.
Well, this is just a taster of what's available for you to browse in the comfort of your home from chaincreative. A few more choices on Friday I think and then planning meetings for 2009.
Have a very wonderful beginning to this coming year and look forward to your visit in 2009.

Happy happy holidays

2008-12-23T03:37:00.000-08:00

Wishing all the readers of chaincreative a restful and craft-filled Christmas and on into 2009. I think that next year is going to see an explosion of design and creativity as we look to our own skills to get us through any mess the others have made. When large department stores report that the sewing and knitting accessories have been the best performing sections of the season, and when Loop has been filled with clamouring customers frantically buying yarn and patterns for Christmas gifts, then I know we're onto a winner.

After Christmas I'm going to look back at some of the best and the rest of chaincreative's 2008.

Have a wonderful time!!!

Distressed or de-stressed

2008-12-12T00:53:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again when it seems the only option is to be rushing about trying to remember all the things you need to do that day. I love being busy but some times think it can get a bit crazeeee. Anyway, at the moment I'm listening to Frank Sinatra (don't ask but it's a Christmas number ''ll be home for Christmas'and this, his 93rd birthday!! It's pretty atmospheric), snuggled up against the frosty morning (very pretty) and writing about...felt. The pictures above are by the danish felting artist Yvonne Bavman, which makes you understand how versatile the medium is.

There's alot of talented accessory designers around and alot of their work is in felt. Last week at Loop there were quite a few customers in asking about suitable yarns to use for felting. Animal fibres are the obvious answer and the more the better. 70% pure animal fibre seems to be the accepted rule, with man-made taking some of the 'power' away from the distressing of the fibre. Machine washable also affects performance as it's been pre-shrunk.

This all got me thinking about posting about the topic so I did some research and this is the result of my findings.

Well, if one starts at the best place, the beginning, you can start with 'rovings' the base component of yarn, the unspun wool. You can buy this on Etsy and just checking out my post on Etsy yarns gives some names to choose from. Then follow these simple instructions. Of course, you're most interested in felting crochet so some further instructions might be useful!

Looking for yarn is half the fun and I won't go on at length, but I did find these rovings on Etsy that I loved for their colour palette. From Vanda Souza, these are beautifully packaged and really whet the appetite.

Once you feel confident that you know what to do and you have researched your materials then maybe some inspiration wouldn't go amiss. I love these gorgeously quirky critters from Sebold's Originals.

A pattern might be useful. Now, this is where Etsy is sooo useful. Lots and lots of patterns are available as PDFs. I'm going to zip through my faves. thebirdsandbees have lots of patterns and this mouse is so cute. little projects cater for the accessory lover, and this satchel bag fits the bill. knotsocute has loads of (cute) patterns and I love these children's slippers.

Well, is that enough to be going on with? I think so. I hope you're all busy preparing lovely gifts and enjoying the run-up to whatever holidays you may be having.