5 New Materials to Crochet
August 22, 2009 | By
To some, crochet may have the unfortunate reputation of being a bit antiquated or uninspiring, but it doesn’t need to be with the wide variety of materials available to today’s crocheter. While most projects crocheted from yarn and thread are stunning and heirloom worthy, if you’re looking to add some zest and singularity to the craft, then it’s time to expand your workbasket to include a whole new assortment of materials.
Any material that is long and flexible can be crocheted, not just yarn and thread. Some innovative women have even crocheted their hair! The key to finding new materials is to begin looking at the world with your crochet hook in mind. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Plarn
Going green is one of the latest trends in crafting, and one way to apply some eco-consciousness with crochet is to make plarn. Plarn is recycled yarn made from old plastic grocery bags, and while it may not be the best material for making a sweater, it works up nicely for a reusable shopping bag. It’s simple to make, and MyRecycledBags.com has a great tutorial.
Fabric Strips
Do you have a pile of old T-shirts waiting for the next yard sale? Or perhaps you are a sewer with fabric scraps in need of a project. Consider this: cut them into 1-inch strips, sew them together end-to-end, and crochet them into a rag rug for some kitschy, 1940s appeal. The Vintage Chica shows you how.
Twine
Twine is the perfect medium for a summer tote bog, a decorative doormat, or a fashionable sunhat (with a soft lining, of course!) A word to the wise, however: crocheting with twine is very rough on the hands. You may want to wear gloves while working with it. Also keep in mind that twine is much thicker than yarn, but a size J hook or higher should allow to you work with the twine with ease.
Ribbon
There are some stunning dress patterns from the 1950’s that were crocheted entirely from ribbon, which must have been very expensive. For some the splurge may be worth it, but for others, why not whip up some crocheted ribbon jewelry? You’ll get the same upscale style without breaking the bank.
Wire
If you are a jewelry maker who is into crochet, then crocheting with wire is the next logical evolution. Use a pliable gauge, no thicker than 22 gauge, and let your imagination run wild. Don’t forget to add beads! The stiffness of the wire may take some getting used to, but the results are extraordinary.
These are just a few materials to get you thinking about crochet in inventive ways. When you look around your home, you may find other candidates, such as kite string or raffia, which could also lend itself well to crochet. When you don’t limit yourself to yarn and thread, you may find a brand new material that you will enjoy working with—and that will make your work truly remarkable.
Further Reading:
Vintage Patterns: The New Retro
Grand-Maman’s Hand-Knit Slippers
Connect-the-Dot Crochet
Mad Men Fashion
Chanel Fashion: Just Add Pearls
Glamorous Costumes: Project Runway Takes Inspiration from the Movies
Paper Dresses: Project Runway Flashes Back to the 60’s
Photos courtesy of Happy Together and S. Vaka.
<--- Go back to the Just for Fun department homepage for more crafty fun!
S. Vaka has a love for all things creative and feline, and the only thing keeping her from becoming a crazy cat lady is her encouraging and indulgent husband. You can follow their adventures at CrochetKitten.com.
All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior
written permission of HandmadeNews.org.
