Ok, because I am still wrangling with the blog ring, and because I know many of you are on blogger, for your convienience I've put a feed from the wordpress blog onto this blog, so that you can keep tabs easier ;)
Yes, it's redundant. But, it's how I can manage things with the limited time I have at the moment. Life's a little bit crochet crazy :)
ABOUT THE CLF
- Fearless Leader of the CLF
- Everywhere, No where
- I started the CLF as a joke on Ravelry, back in July of 2007. The joke was on me, we're a real group, that seeks to liberate ourselves from stereo types about our craft and ourselves. Other than being called "Fearless Leader", I'm a designer, mother, editor, wife, hand spinner, yarn addict, incessant reader, and over all geek in the coolest of geeky ways.
Beware Defamers of the Hook!
Like Joan of Arc, and the Scarlet Pimpernel we are here to seek Justice!
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
CLF Blog moving...
So, I've crocheted some moving boxes, packed up the posts, and am working on making sure all the links are set (you know how much I hate them), so that the Official Liberation Front Blog will have a nice new home.
Yup...moving to wordpress. Why?
Cause I have other blogs over there, and I prefer wordpress from a technical standpoint.
I will leave this baby up but as of tonight this is the last NEW post here...
The new blog? http://www.crochetliberationfront.wordpress.com
Yup...Now to get all the feeds and linkages finished.
Sorry to be a bother and all, but really, it's just that much easier to do it all over there, besides the webcrawlers like wordpress better, including Googles!. Isn't that Ironic?
Yup...moving to wordpress. Why?
Cause I have other blogs over there, and I prefer wordpress from a technical standpoint.
I will leave this baby up but as of tonight this is the last NEW post here...
The new blog? http://www.crochetliberationfront.wordpress.com
Yup...Now to get all the feeds and linkages finished.
Sorry to be a bother and all, but really, it's just that much easier to do it all over there, besides the webcrawlers like wordpress better, including Googles!. Isn't that Ironic?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Call To Arms
As you know we in the CLF are tired of being downtrodden and mistreated. A good example of this was the latest crochet challenge thrown down out of Interweave's PieceWork magazine.
According to the author (not a crochet expert by any means btw) this vintage pattern was not worth her time to finish, or she couldn't understand it, what ever, it was flippant, rude, and why they had her do the article, instead of an expert crocheter is beyond me. And frankly, it's lace, it's not even necessary for an "expert" to do, just someone who does thread work, or has done thread work, or has crocheted more than 20 projects.
One of our CLF members Yarntricia, has suggested that we the CLF (and mad crocheters!) that we flood Piecework in a show of defiance.
Are you game? Check out their website, get the magazine or find a copy and get the challenge information including the pattern. It's a 19th century pattern. But it seems the author was confused by this: "to join in a circle"...um...in crochet we join things to make circles all the time. That's kina basic.
So if you are up for the challenge go for it. Yeah, it's thread, yeah it's tiny hooks, but hey get a good light and a magnifying glass. I'll be off searching for a copy of said magazine. Because as you know finding any fiber arts mags in these parts (other than quilting, and I refuse to get into a back ally fight with a quilter because they have ever SHARPER pointer things), so I'll be wandering and looking for the crochet challenge.
It isn't that I don't have other things to do,because yes, yes I do, but come on...it's lace. Lace is JUST COUNTING...really that's all it is. The most basic stitches are what you use to make the most delicate lace, really, truly and honesty.
According to the author (not a crochet expert by any means btw) this vintage pattern was not worth her time to finish, or she couldn't understand it, what ever, it was flippant, rude, and why they had her do the article, instead of an expert crocheter is beyond me. And frankly, it's lace, it's not even necessary for an "expert" to do, just someone who does thread work, or has done thread work, or has crocheted more than 20 projects.
One of our CLF members Yarntricia, has suggested that we the CLF (and mad crocheters!) that we flood Piecework in a show of defiance.
Are you game? Check out their website, get the magazine or find a copy and get the challenge information including the pattern. It's a 19th century pattern. But it seems the author was confused by this: "to join in a circle"...um...in crochet we join things to make circles all the time. That's kina basic.
So if you are up for the challenge go for it. Yeah, it's thread, yeah it's tiny hooks, but hey get a good light and a magnifying glass. I'll be off searching for a copy of said magazine. Because as you know finding any fiber arts mags in these parts (other than quilting, and I refuse to get into a back ally fight with a quilter because they have ever SHARPER pointer things), so I'll be wandering and looking for the crochet challenge.
It isn't that I don't have other things to do,because yes, yes I do, but come on...it's lace. Lace is JUST COUNTING...really that's all it is. The most basic stitches are what you use to make the most delicate lace, really, truly and honesty.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Website update, video tutorials, and other stuff
Well, I updated the CLF website. The front page is changed, I added a page of video tutorials that will be added to from time to time. The offerings on the page are diverse from folks within and without the industry! Rock on folks! We are the hooksters (you know like hipsters) and crochet is very cool...as is evidenced in the videos.
I get really frustrated working on the website, mostly because of stupid broken links, everything else is easy. I can do the buttons and scrolling dancing monkies (if I wanted to, but they won't load on my computer at home on dial up!), but broken links, they are my bane. So, when I whine about building the site, just know it's the dang typos that are killing me ;) LOL...I just don't have all the hours in every day to do all that needs doing ;) No rest for this wicked wicked woman.
Speaking of no rest for the wicked, I am working away on the adult book. I extended the deadline on the third book, folks will know if they got in by the 12th of June. I'm taking my time with these things.
Remember, though I have "help", I am doing the book production as me/myself/ and I. I can have folks look over and do some editing. But, ultimately I take on the whole enchelada :) WHOO HOO! Instead of giving myself and ulcer, like I did last year, I am taking it easy.
So while you wait for the second and third books, why not get the first book! You can get it from our website http://www.crochetliberationfront.com/clfbookhome.html if you are outside of the states order your book from http://www.gailsyarns.com/ and if you just want the .pdf download get it from http://www.lulu.com/camanomade it's only $9.99 there ;)
So, folks we're plugging away working, juggling, running, and hooking...Thanks for the thoughts and offers of assistance. It's all appreciated. Oh and I will leave you with this:
We're planning the CLF retreat for October 2010. Yes, that is right!
I get really frustrated working on the website, mostly because of stupid broken links, everything else is easy. I can do the buttons and scrolling dancing monkies (if I wanted to, but they won't load on my computer at home on dial up!), but broken links, they are my bane. So, when I whine about building the site, just know it's the dang typos that are killing me ;) LOL...I just don't have all the hours in every day to do all that needs doing ;) No rest for this wicked wicked woman.
Speaking of no rest for the wicked, I am working away on the adult book. I extended the deadline on the third book, folks will know if they got in by the 12th of June. I'm taking my time with these things.
Remember, though I have "help", I am doing the book production as me/myself/ and I. I can have folks look over and do some editing. But, ultimately I take on the whole enchelada :) WHOO HOO! Instead of giving myself and ulcer, like I did last year, I am taking it easy.
So while you wait for the second and third books, why not get the first book! You can get it from our website http://www.crochetliberationfront.com/clfbookhome.html if you are outside of the states order your book from http://www.gailsyarns.com/ and if you just want the .pdf download get it from http://www.lulu.com/camanomade it's only $9.99 there ;)
So, folks we're plugging away working, juggling, running, and hooking...Thanks for the thoughts and offers of assistance. It's all appreciated. Oh and I will leave you with this:
We're planning the CLF retreat for October 2010. Yes, that is right!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Set My Picot Free Award Winner!
So, I was doing a search for belly dancing costumes...and what do I find?
http://www.crochetkitten.com/ she has tons of patterns she's made, and they are so totally awesome.
I contacted her on Ravelry.com and asked if I could use her images here because they are just too nifty. She wasn't a CLF member at the time, though she might be now, and I'm not gonna check because well..it just doesn't matter...I'm awarding her the Set My Picot Free for some awesome crochet representin'!
Josephine Scarf Front
Originally uploaded by Selena K
Saturday, June 6, 2009
OMG I finally got it! Crochet Today Article!
WOW! Ok, I owe Tina Barseghian a HUGE thank you for taking the incoherent ramblings of a mad woman and writing a very very smooth article!
Yes, today I managed to track down TWO copies of the magazine at a Barnes and Noble and hour south of me (it's the closest one to me), and I have another two ordered. Yeah, I'm a nerd, I get excited to see my picture in a magazine. Yup, I do.
Yes, I have forced people to read the article in front of me, while I stand their grinning like the proverbial cat with feathers AND cream dribbling out of my mouth. Yes, I looked at my husband and said, "Not bad for a joke!"
And yes, I did giggle for almost half an hour after reading it.
Who knew a joke could be this funny for so long!
Our beloved Dora Ohrenstein of Crochet Insider fame is quoted, as is Jennifer Reeve of www.craftkitten.com, thank you guys!
In honor of this moment, I have made a new reference page on our website: Video Links.
http://www.crochetliberationfront.com/Videos.html
They aren't all how tos, some are just cool crochet. Though I think my favorite how to is the How to crochet a hackey sack, the young man doing the video is so cute (though he's of an age where that would cause eye rolling.)
There will be more on the list, but so much crochet goodness out there, just need to get it in one spot!
Happy Hooking to all!
Yes, today I managed to track down TWO copies of the magazine at a Barnes and Noble and hour south of me (it's the closest one to me), and I have another two ordered. Yeah, I'm a nerd, I get excited to see my picture in a magazine. Yup, I do.
Yes, I have forced people to read the article in front of me, while I stand their grinning like the proverbial cat with feathers AND cream dribbling out of my mouth. Yes, I looked at my husband and said, "Not bad for a joke!"
And yes, I did giggle for almost half an hour after reading it.
Who knew a joke could be this funny for so long!
Our beloved Dora Ohrenstein of Crochet Insider fame is quoted, as is Jennifer Reeve of www.craftkitten.com, thank you guys!
In honor of this moment, I have made a new reference page on our website: Video Links.
http://www.crochetliberationfront.com/Videos.html
They aren't all how tos, some are just cool crochet. Though I think my favorite how to is the How to crochet a hackey sack, the young man doing the video is so cute (though he's of an age where that would cause eye rolling.)
There will be more on the list, but so much crochet goodness out there, just need to get it in one spot!
Happy Hooking to all!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Musing and Wondering...
It is no secret that I am a feminist, or as I like to call myself a Neo-Feminist. Why the "neo"?
Because, I think the original movement was important, but instead of creating a real equality where women were viewed as valuable members of society equal due to the fact of their humanity, the matra became that we could be "like" men. That attitude just doesn't turn me on.
I was a 1980's teenager, so not only did I get the indoctrination that unless you wore a power suit with power heels you were a nobody, I also got told I could be "super-mom", "have it all", and that if I took on the masculine power system I would be the "perfect" woman. I tried it on, went to college, did a bit of ball busting, became an executive, got married, had kids, worked 16 hr days, had a nanny, was one of the pretty people, Prada Hallowed Be Thy Name, had a pretty pretty husband, ball busted some more, proved I could run departments, and divisions, bring home plenty of bacon, kept my crocheting and embroidery a secret, and found myself mentally and spiritually exhausted.
By the time I was 25, I knew that something had to give, and if I didn't figure it out what was going to give was me.
What does this have to do with crochet? What does this have to do with feminism? Lots.
Traditional Feminine handcrafts, or "gentle pursuits" if you want to put into 19th century terms,
were thrown to the way side, seen as non-important and symbols of repression. So that our old stand by magazines that used to have lovely tips and hints for women on all kinds of subjects (such as Good Housekeeping, Women's Day, Family Circle...etc) now just run articles on how to work 12 hrs and still have good sex. They also promote the tired stereotypes of women who look good all the time, because God-Forbid we age at all, because our attractiveness is above all our greatest asset! Hold on a minute? What happened to feminism?
So, I have to be tough as nails, exhausted, a sexual siren, own false tits, have zero stretch marks, bust balls, can't create pretty things with my own two hands, have perfect kids with perfect teeth, and have no crows feet? In the words of Fee from the book "Blessed are the Cheese Makers", Feck that.
We, my friends, have been sold a bill of goods, and we have bought it. With cold hard visa cards.
Guess what? We all get old, natural tits and asses do sag, and it is the most human thing in the world to create. Create with our hands, create with our bodies, that is what women (and men) do. Period, we create, and that should be something in which we revel, and it should be lauded from the roof tops.
As women in traditional roles we do have power, a different kind of power, not saying that them were the good old days, cause they weren't. But we didn't need to throw the female baby out with the bath water.
Crochet and all other hand crafts have taken a hit because they were associated with being a feminine pursuit, an entire generation chose not to do handwork because it was seen as a symbol or our repression. Just like cooking went the way of the dodo...Come on, cooking is NOT hard people. Cooking over a wood stove is a challenge, and um last I checked most of us don't have wood stoves any more, and most of us do have washing machines (which make life considerably easier than a wash tub, I know I've used one) but all of the fabulous things that make life on a daily basis happen fall into that very self same category of: Women's Work.
Say it: Women's Work.
I bet you say it some how without pride, and with some kind of negative tone.
Now say it happy: Women's Work.
Say it louder...WOMEN'S WORK!
The mega corps and investment companies are benefitting from our "modern" woman status, they have us convinced that to make things for ourselves is both old fashioned, and arduous. Wanna know why? Cause that way they don't make a dime from their factories in third world countries exploiting our brothers and sisters who are doing "women's work" for a dime a day (oooh maybe a whole dollar), so we can pay for shoddily made clothes in inferior fabrics, cheaply.
I know I may not win the battle or even the war on this one, but people, be proud of your creative abilities, be proud of being moms, grandmoms, executives, SAHMs, Working out of the House Moms, what ever you are, not moms, single, married, or other, same sex, different sex, omni sexual...and men too, be proud you craft with your hands. But for some reason when men do it it's either cute, cuddly, or sexy...Frankly, my husband finds it really sexy when I crochet, which is good, cause I do it all the time. (Oh and he likes my sagging tits and ass too, but maybe he's just perverse.)
The key is, as long as we buy the bullshit, they sell it. All it costs? Our collective human souls.
/end rant
Because, I think the original movement was important, but instead of creating a real equality where women were viewed as valuable members of society equal due to the fact of their humanity, the matra became that we could be "like" men. That attitude just doesn't turn me on.
I was a 1980's teenager, so not only did I get the indoctrination that unless you wore a power suit with power heels you were a nobody, I also got told I could be "super-mom", "have it all", and that if I took on the masculine power system I would be the "perfect" woman. I tried it on, went to college, did a bit of ball busting, became an executive, got married, had kids, worked 16 hr days, had a nanny, was one of the pretty people, Prada Hallowed Be Thy Name, had a pretty pretty husband, ball busted some more, proved I could run departments, and divisions, bring home plenty of bacon, kept my crocheting and embroidery a secret, and found myself mentally and spiritually exhausted.
By the time I was 25, I knew that something had to give, and if I didn't figure it out what was going to give was me.
What does this have to do with crochet? What does this have to do with feminism? Lots.
Traditional Feminine handcrafts, or "gentle pursuits" if you want to put into 19th century terms,
were thrown to the way side, seen as non-important and symbols of repression. So that our old stand by magazines that used to have lovely tips and hints for women on all kinds of subjects (such as Good Housekeeping, Women's Day, Family Circle...etc) now just run articles on how to work 12 hrs and still have good sex. They also promote the tired stereotypes of women who look good all the time, because God-Forbid we age at all, because our attractiveness is above all our greatest asset! Hold on a minute? What happened to feminism?
So, I have to be tough as nails, exhausted, a sexual siren, own false tits, have zero stretch marks, bust balls, can't create pretty things with my own two hands, have perfect kids with perfect teeth, and have no crows feet? In the words of Fee from the book "Blessed are the Cheese Makers", Feck that.
We, my friends, have been sold a bill of goods, and we have bought it. With cold hard visa cards.
Guess what? We all get old, natural tits and asses do sag, and it is the most human thing in the world to create. Create with our hands, create with our bodies, that is what women (and men) do. Period, we create, and that should be something in which we revel, and it should be lauded from the roof tops.
As women in traditional roles we do have power, a different kind of power, not saying that them were the good old days, cause they weren't. But we didn't need to throw the female baby out with the bath water.
Crochet and all other hand crafts have taken a hit because they were associated with being a feminine pursuit, an entire generation chose not to do handwork because it was seen as a symbol or our repression. Just like cooking went the way of the dodo...Come on, cooking is NOT hard people. Cooking over a wood stove is a challenge, and um last I checked most of us don't have wood stoves any more, and most of us do have washing machines (which make life considerably easier than a wash tub, I know I've used one) but all of the fabulous things that make life on a daily basis happen fall into that very self same category of: Women's Work.
Say it: Women's Work.
I bet you say it some how without pride, and with some kind of negative tone.
Now say it happy: Women's Work.
Say it louder...WOMEN'S WORK!
The mega corps and investment companies are benefitting from our "modern" woman status, they have us convinced that to make things for ourselves is both old fashioned, and arduous. Wanna know why? Cause that way they don't make a dime from their factories in third world countries exploiting our brothers and sisters who are doing "women's work" for a dime a day (oooh maybe a whole dollar), so we can pay for shoddily made clothes in inferior fabrics, cheaply.
I know I may not win the battle or even the war on this one, but people, be proud of your creative abilities, be proud of being moms, grandmoms, executives, SAHMs, Working out of the House Moms, what ever you are, not moms, single, married, or other, same sex, different sex, omni sexual...and men too, be proud you craft with your hands. But for some reason when men do it it's either cute, cuddly, or sexy...Frankly, my husband finds it really sexy when I crochet, which is good, cause I do it all the time. (Oh and he likes my sagging tits and ass too, but maybe he's just perverse.)
The key is, as long as we buy the bullshit, they sell it. All it costs? Our collective human souls.
/end rant
Hunt for Crochet Today...
Ok, the world conspires against me.
It appears the distributor of many magazines in this region (NW Washington) has gone under. Magazine racks in three counties are bare, of much except muscle building magazines. (ew?)
So, I'm heading down to Lynwood and the Alderwood Mall B&N to see if I can find the damn magazine. If I can't get it there, I will drive to Belleview and the Crossroads Mall. I want you people to understand I will have driven an accumulated 120 miles to find the damn magazine.
You know what, It's time to just subscribe to them all. Cause I'm sick of this.
LOL...
I have hope though, I can't wait to read the article. I've been teased and I want my satisfaction.
It appears the distributor of many magazines in this region (NW Washington) has gone under. Magazine racks in three counties are bare, of much except muscle building magazines. (ew?)
So, I'm heading down to Lynwood and the Alderwood Mall B&N to see if I can find the damn magazine. If I can't get it there, I will drive to Belleview and the Crossroads Mall. I want you people to understand I will have driven an accumulated 120 miles to find the damn magazine.
You know what, It's time to just subscribe to them all. Cause I'm sick of this.
LOL...
I have hope though, I can't wait to read the article. I've been teased and I want my satisfaction.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Fearless Leader in Crochet Today!
Ok, I've said it was coming, I really did, but I didn't realize the July/August Issue of Crochet Today was out in June! Egads!
There is an article about yours truly, and the Crochet Liberation Front and I hear it's pretty good ;) It was a fun interview (which of course happened months ago), and now I need to hunt down me a copy! It's like trying to catch a rabbit in a brier patch in these parts, I may have to take a 40 minute drive to my nearest Fred Meyer's (store) to see if they have a copy.
It's always kinda funny when these articles happen, I know it's gonna happen, I did the dang interview over the phone, but until you see it in print, it's not really real. It feels weird when you see yourself or read your quotes, and you think, "Did I really say that?" sometimes I think I sound silly, and other times I wonder at how those words came from me!
It's kinda fun to see all of this happen, especially since it started out as a joke. We're obviously not a joke any more, but I like to pretend we are, because then I don't get all nervous like...cause really folks, I'm kinda shy ;)
Oh, and look at the bottom of the page. I put up our store on Zazzle.com, we have all kinds of CLF goodness. I'm working on coming up with more bumper sticker ideas. I kinda like the "Stash" one, it made me chuckle, and would work for those who enjoy crafting in general :) LOL
Remember every little bit adds up and helps this Fearless Leader keep working on CLF stuff!
There is an article about yours truly, and the Crochet Liberation Front and I hear it's pretty good ;) It was a fun interview (which of course happened months ago), and now I need to hunt down me a copy! It's like trying to catch a rabbit in a brier patch in these parts, I may have to take a 40 minute drive to my nearest Fred Meyer's (store) to see if they have a copy.
It's always kinda funny when these articles happen, I know it's gonna happen, I did the dang interview over the phone, but until you see it in print, it's not really real. It feels weird when you see yourself or read your quotes, and you think, "Did I really say that?" sometimes I think I sound silly, and other times I wonder at how those words came from me!
It's kinda fun to see all of this happen, especially since it started out as a joke. We're obviously not a joke any more, but I like to pretend we are, because then I don't get all nervous like...cause really folks, I'm kinda shy ;)
Oh, and look at the bottom of the page. I put up our store on Zazzle.com, we have all kinds of CLF goodness. I'm working on coming up with more bumper sticker ideas. I kinda like the "Stash" one, it made me chuckle, and would work for those who enjoy crafting in general :) LOL
Remember every little bit adds up and helps this Fearless Leader keep working on CLF stuff!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Crochet Uncut E-Zine: Summer Issue & other stuff
Hey CLFers!
Our friend's over at Crochet Uncut (The Official Unofficial Magazine of the CLF) have the Summer Issue up and running! Fabulous issue! Check it out! It's free to join, but if you could donate a little something, something or if you have a small crochet/yarn related business and want to sponsor their efforts, I'm sure Darlisa would not take offense to having some $$ come her way! She does this as a labor of love folks, and I think she does a fabulous job!
Speaking of labor's of love, I'm working on the CLF second book: Crochet In Chains (The CLF All Growed UP)... It's coming along even though I've had to fight with Titan on some software miscommunications...stupid software! It's fixed and I'm on a roll...
The deadline for the third book has been extended until the end of next week...so if you want to send in patterns for the 400 yds or less book, please feel free to do so...You guys are all so damn hard on yourself! Stop beating yourselves up for having lives and priorites that supercede the CLF books...DUH...it's not the end of the world.
Speaking of books! If you haven't bought the CLF First Ever Book...it's still available on the Official CLF Website for only $24.50 (includes shipping), or from Amazon.com click the ad for it here :) or as a PDF Download from Lulu.com for only $9.99 now that's one hell of a deal!
All proceeds help the CLF (and it's fearless leader) function in the world, and will help get more books out into the universe! So help a sister out :)
LOVE YA ;)
Our friend's over at Crochet Uncut (The Official Unofficial Magazine of the CLF) have the Summer Issue up and running! Fabulous issue! Check it out! It's free to join, but if you could donate a little something, something or if you have a small crochet/yarn related business and want to sponsor their efforts, I'm sure Darlisa would not take offense to having some $$ come her way! She does this as a labor of love folks, and I think she does a fabulous job!
Speaking of labor's of love, I'm working on the CLF second book: Crochet In Chains (The CLF All Growed UP)... It's coming along even though I've had to fight with Titan on some software miscommunications...stupid software! It's fixed and I'm on a roll...
The deadline for the third book has been extended until the end of next week...so if you want to send in patterns for the 400 yds or less book, please feel free to do so...You guys are all so damn hard on yourself! Stop beating yourselves up for having lives and priorites that supercede the CLF books...DUH...it's not the end of the world.
Speaking of books! If you haven't bought the CLF First Ever Book...it's still available on the Official CLF Website for only $24.50 (includes shipping), or from Amazon.com click the ad for it here :) or as a PDF Download from Lulu.com for only $9.99 now that's one hell of a deal!
All proceeds help the CLF (and it's fearless leader) function in the world, and will help get more books out into the universe! So help a sister out :)
LOVE YA ;)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Cry Free Form!
Free form crochet is becoming more and more popular, as people begin to experiment with yarns and hooks, it’s another exciting time to be a crocheter. However, there is one thing about free forming I want to make absolutely clear: Scrumbling is not the only thing that constitutes free form.
Scrumbling, or crochet doodling, is what is most commonly seen as free form. Don’t get me wrong, scrumbling is fun, and can be a gorgeous and fun way to create in crochet. But it’s not the only way to free form, it is a way of freeforming.
I don’t scrumble often, mostly because I’ll loose all the darn pieces before I ever get them sewn together. I most often free form using lace, I’ll free form sleeves, or borders to sweaters, occaisionally I’ll free form hats and scarves.
No, I don’t mean just going patternless, that’s commando crocheting ! You can free form with squares, motifs, plain crochet. It takes a couple different kinds of yarns, a few different hook sizes, switching up stitches, or yarns. I’ve done a free form piece only using HDC, but changing my yarns throughout allowing the yarn to do the work for me. I’ve used the same yarn, and changed hooks and stitches and let them do the work.
I’ve done a straight sweater and free formed the sleeves. It all depends…
Oh, and I love bullions they are fun to make, but you can free form without using those too! I know, I know blasphemer that I am! Personally I love surface crocheting, and structural crochet for free forming!
In Portland, I took Myra Wood’s Advanced Free Form class and it was absolutely lovely. I got tons of new ideas. Yes, I knew many of the techniques, but what I got out of the class was a new way to look at putting it all together! That was so much fun!
So, if you are lured into free form but don’t want to work with itty bitty pieces, don’t worry about it! You don’t have to…and there are some scramblers who will tell you that scrumbles don’t have to be little either!
Remember, there are very few rules to free form: It’s freely forming something…It’s very liberating!
Scrumbling, or crochet doodling, is what is most commonly seen as free form. Don’t get me wrong, scrumbling is fun, and can be a gorgeous and fun way to create in crochet. But it’s not the only way to free form, it is a way of freeforming.
I don’t scrumble often, mostly because I’ll loose all the darn pieces before I ever get them sewn together. I most often free form using lace, I’ll free form sleeves, or borders to sweaters, occaisionally I’ll free form hats and scarves.
No, I don’t mean just going patternless, that’s commando crocheting ! You can free form with squares, motifs, plain crochet. It takes a couple different kinds of yarns, a few different hook sizes, switching up stitches, or yarns. I’ve done a free form piece only using HDC, but changing my yarns throughout allowing the yarn to do the work for me. I’ve used the same yarn, and changed hooks and stitches and let them do the work.
I’ve done a straight sweater and free formed the sleeves. It all depends…
Oh, and I love bullions they are fun to make, but you can free form without using those too! I know, I know blasphemer that I am! Personally I love surface crocheting, and structural crochet for free forming!
In Portland, I took Myra Wood’s Advanced Free Form class and it was absolutely lovely. I got tons of new ideas. Yes, I knew many of the techniques, but what I got out of the class was a new way to look at putting it all together! That was so much fun!
So, if you are lured into free form but don’t want to work with itty bitty pieces, don’t worry about it! You don’t have to…and there are some scramblers who will tell you that scrumbles don’t have to be little either!
Remember, there are very few rules to free form: It’s freely forming something…It’s very liberating!
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