According to Joana Vasconcelos, an artist who wraps mass-produced objects in lacy, crocheted webs (see right), “Today, there are objects … that anyone can appreciate as being cool and trendy … There are objects that have changed status in this way. Status of people—of objects—changes; it isn’t static. Things that are banal today might belong in high culture tomorrow.”

So it is with crochet.

Do things become more beautiful, interesting, or amazing?

Or, do we just grow to better see how beautiful, interesting, or amazing they are?

Think back to the doilies and afghans of yesteryear.

See the beauty now?

1.  Stitch Diva

The cool ladies at this hipster site dream up sexy and sassy crochet creations (right) that raise the hook to new heights. Since not everyone can make the Bay-area classes, Stitch Diva has plenty of helpful video tutorials, downloadable patterns, and nifty products online to help get you started.

2.  Posie

The crochet patterns at Posie are so adorable you want to scream. Pretty, pretty, pretty! As you can tell from her press page, we aren’t the first to enjoy this inspired website and blog, but we’re still entirely smitten. (Note: Sewers are bound to love the fanciful “memory-keeping projects to sew and share” found in Posie’s Alicia Paulson’s brand new book, Stitched in Time.)

3.  Micro-fiber Militia

The crochet enthusiasts at Micro-fiber Militia have been wrapping public objects in endearing little cozies for some time now. Turns out, when confronted with a bit of crochet where they least expect it – like a sign post, bike rack, or telephone pole – people’s first reaction is to reach out and touch it. It’s an amazing form of graffiti. No laws broken, no property damaged, and no hurt feelings. Just a soft bit of yarn dangled forth to challenge the public’s impulse control. And, make them smile.

4.  The Portland Beanie Company
The Portland Beanie Company crochets outrageously delightful baby and children’s hats, scarves, and slippers (below) in fresh, fun patterns, colors, and styles. Support handmade, buy some on etsy!

 

5.  Carina’s Craft
Carina is a talented Dane living in England who puts a thoroughly modern twist on an old craft (right). Scrolling through her blog, I couldn’t help but think “stop the sherbet colors I’m already blinded by love!” Photo after photo of pure cheerfulness! I wish she’d crochet me something. Anything. 

6.  Crochet Inspiration
Knitter Sasha Kagan’s latest book focuses on her love of crochet. She’s been called the “grande dame of colorwork” and her bold designs, creative spirit, and technical prowess make her the well-known fiber artist she is today.

7.  Dania Taimina
Ok, seriously! I have always believed that crafts are an artistic expression of math. As a child, I spent hours and hours in front of a sewing machine. I’d turn half-finished doll clothes around in my head and hands, trying to grasp just how sewing them inside out and backwards made them come out perfectly. Thanks to all that practice, high school geometry was a breeze (Algebra, however, was a different and much less uplifting story!)

Then there is Professor Taimina. This lovely lady crochets the Hyperbolic Plane (above) in her free time. It just occurred to her one day to do it. Woah!

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 5th, 2009 at 10:24 am and is filed under Appreciating, Beautifying, Changing, Giving, Growing, Inspiring, Learning, Living, Making. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.