Crochet Art - Ugly or Fab?

For some crochet, art is a waste of yarn that could be used for charity. Crochet is an art form, like it or not.

I was literally blown out of the water with the ugly and hostile comments when our team had crocheted the nutcrackers that were 10 feet tall. Months of work only to face off with really ugly comments that were encouraging as holding an anvil while treading water! It's demeaning and intentionally to ruin someone's joy! I'm not having it today Satan! 

What the hell is going on? Is our creativity so limited by the practical use of an item? Look around your house and see what you thought was cute but is collecting dust or something you don't take a mental sigh of relief that you got something that gives you joy!

The nutcrackers, while it appears that it's sheer luck was actually partially planned with creative juices constantly thrown at it. While I won't lump everyone into the same character but I know people who have complained to me about me wasting 'my own yarn' that don't even participate in charitable giving. PERIOD! So either hook up or shut up!

Am I sounding a bit feisty today because I think I might had a bit bowl of b@#$ Flakes this morning? 

You're An Artist

I don't even know if crocheters realize they are an artist. Do you think they do? I sure as hell do! I mean, seriously think about this. You have the ability to take a strand of yarn and form it into a shape. Whether it's utilitarian for practical use or something absurd that gives you joy.

Like an artist learning to paint, they picked up the skills of the strokes of the brush. Then applied their own colouring and movements to their brush to form it. What's so different about crochet with the same regard. Not much I tell ya!

Do you realize how many people wish they would take the time to learn a yarn art like knitting or crochet? Time gets in the way and so does desire. I believe if you really want to create something unique or even to follow the pattern, you have to flick away Satan whispering doubt into your ears. Or maybe even a friendly punch in the mouth of some negative family and 'so-called' friends that have your back if you know what I mean! Negativity is so counter-productive. 

Learn to Shut Up or Put Up

One of the funniest projects I ever did, at least to me, was this soccer ball bird. I called it the Boss Bird Rooster.

It was a project we had done for charity with the intention to give it to a child in need. So the double whammy of creativity and multi-purpose of this project was there. It checked all of my boxes of what I thought would be neat.... BUT NOOOOO! Of course there has to be negativity tossed back into the fishbowl of joy!

It was a project where the ultimate creativity to add to a soccer ball was there. Upon revealing the base model of this bird. A person right in the front row, within a few feet of me, said, "That's the ugliest thing I have ever seen!" You might as well just told me to open my legs while you take a few moments to put on some steel toe boots and take a running kick at my crotch! Feel better? Mmmm huh!

I pushed off the comment but the person wasn't getting the reaction she was desired. Said it again, and again and again. The person not releasing that she was tearing the fabric of my being with her critique. Say it once, I get it... again and again, and again. I pulled away from my mic and leaned over and asked her to stop. She didn't and I expressed to her, "You're hurting my feelings!" because she wasn't picking up on my sinking and theft of my personal joy. She just couldn't stop herself.

As a person trying to live in a society where my gayness is an issue for many people, to constantly be judged and to spill over to robbing creativity is the tipping point. It's awful as sometimes the only thing left you have to cling onto is your uniqueness and expression of creativity. I'm not alone.

It doesn't take much to see what brings joy to others that you follow suit in their joy, even if it's not your thing. It's a small gesture of kindness that can go a long way.

There are things I see online that aren't my taste. The big crocheted tapestry in my office is by my own hands. I call it my Studio Art.

To some this wall art is ugly. To others they love it. To me, it's my joy on the wall. It's one of my afghan designs miniaturized so I could display it. The randomness of the colours and where the squares are positioned bothers people.

Create what you love and let Satan find its way back to the firey pits of hell.

Don't let others steal your joy! Life is short. Live to your fullest potential and for me, I have to learn to compartmentalize myself so I don't take the criticism to heart.

Phil Ferguson

Phil Fergusion, aka ChiliPhilly is incredible with this artistry. Like who doesn't want to wear a drumstick as a head piece. It's comical and definitely will stand out from the crowd.

Phil is excellent with shapes and structure. Don't let his serious face fool you. I bet he is smiling from ear to ear on the inside. This would bring me absolute joy.

Sweet Treats by Yarnspirations

I had crocheted several of the Snuggle Sacks for the tutorial series one summer. So I had these sleeping bag like structures for kids lying around. A Halloween Crochet Cruise comes around. I deconstructed the sleeping bags to make them a pull over instead.

I resewed the edging to include arm and and head holes and opened the bottom of the sacks up. Being a larger boy, I added an additional strip to red to front and back panels so I would go around me and then went crazy making more popcorns to fill in the open sections at the top.

Sherry, aka Ice Cream Girl, I customized a hat out of my head. There's no pattern for it. It was a cherry top. Daniel, the hot dog was running around the ship swinging his hot dog and asking people to ask him about his wiener! I know, mature but laughable to those with a sense of humour.

Creativity such as this just needed a bit of imagination. By the way, wearing this in the Caribbean was hotter than hot! But so much fun! Would do it all over again.

Nathan Vincent

I've met Nathan Vincent along my journey in an exhibit he did in California for Lion Brand Yarn. Down to earth and easy to approach. You would never know he's in the crowd unless you knew of him or about him.

I took pictures at the show to share with you.

Sphynx Yarn Art - Nathan Vincent

Michael Sellick

The general public was asked many moons ago, if money were no barrier, what would you do with your time? Most people would say to create. It doesn't mean crochet and knitting but just explore creative arts and hobbies. I fit this narrative.

I prefer to do sculptures that have a purpose and the stitchwork is intentional. Not just stretched but fitted. So if the body of the structure were to be taken out, the covering made would be intact.

This bike represented a stitch sampler. I put the call out online for anyone with a damaged child's bike they are going to pitch in the garbage. This bike came to be.

Everything was covered on the bike. Including the gears. Measurements and customization to the extreme was done.

On this project, I have been excused of taking a bike from a child, though the bike was damaged and was going to be tossed in the trash. I have been accused of wasting yarn, though this bike is a stitch sampler for teaching purposes.

This bike eventually found its way to an art studio for display. I've not seen it since.

Outdoor Yarn

Using projects outdoors have a limited shelf life because the acrylic yarns are not forumalated to hit constant sunlight and battle the outdoor weather elements. While outdoor yarn bombing can be fun, you should plan to remove it after the statement is completed. It will not hold up and then border like appear to be like graffiti of an eye sore, unless the art installation has that in mind.

Olivia Laws

The first person that comes to mind for yarn art and a point of view is Oliva Laws. Her work is extraordinary and can bring thought and a smile of joy at the same time. Definitely a noteworthy crocheter in today's era.

London Kaye

London Kaye has a completely different approach in doing a mesh-like work in creating artistry. Incredible interpretation of art and includes some activism for getting messages and points of view across. Of course, with activism, you can land on both sides of political opinions. She uses yarn art as a form of expression.

Olek

Most crocheters and likely regular non-artist folk has seen Olek's work . To spend a day in her mind would be a dream come true for me. She just doesn't cover something, she goes well beyond and in grand scales of sizing and detail.

Our Personal Collections

Some of us collect an unexplainable amount of yarn in our collections. For myself, I would have a lot of yarn if this wasn't my business but not to this degree... I think. 

The way I see it, the yarn in my own is mine to do as I please. Some yarn is sponsored, others are my own wishes to purchase for online sales at Yarnspirations. I have the staple yarns like Caron One Pound and a mix and match of other varieties of yarn.

I have seen people online claim they have enough yarn to stock an entire house and they aren't even in the business. However, that's none of my beez wax! 

Yarn is a tool to form an expression. You need tools to create, yarn is our choice to get there.

You may seen absurd possibilities with a few simple ideas or form a really big idea.

Yarn Artisty, Even Every Day Crochet

It takes a bit of skill, luck and thoughtful process. Ever wonder why people ask for colour and pattern options, like all the time on the social media. We are looking for inspiration.

Conclusion

Ease up the judgement of yarn artistry. Remember, that whomever created something and it's on exhibit took hours of time not only to make it but to think about execution. In some cases, others are involved in teamwork.

Before throwing an accusation of yarn waste, you only need to look at your own yarn stash and ask yourself the same question. Be creative and enjoy the fibre arts. Encourage others to explore a yarn journey.

If money were no object, I know exactly what I would be doing with my life. I would be creating things that bring a smile and a few nostalgic feelings. That's what brings me joy.