Crochet Buddies Aquatic Crafts Season Of Creativity — Week 2
Continuing with our summer theme, here’s a new aquatic crochet idea to motivate you this week… and it’s something you wouldn’t expect. 🙂
If you have so much extra yarn you don’t know what to do… or an unfinished project in your attic you’ve completely forgotten about… or you need a break from the summer heat (or cold, depending on where you are)… or want to try something that’s totally different from the standard symmetrical crochet pattern…
Here’s something to inspire your creativity, and solve some of the aforementioned dilemmas you may have.
I present to you: Freeform Crochet!
The most important thing you need to know about freeform crochet is that it’s patternless — there are no written directions or diagrams to follow. Going “freeform” means coming up with your own pattern and design, however you want to go about it.
(Sounds as though it’s a sort of lifestyle change, doesn’t it? In reality, you can switch back and forth between freeform and standard crochet — what’s more important to remember is that you can be creative in multiple ways, or any way you choose.)
Your projects can be symmetric, asymmetric, or anything else. There are no limits, at all.
You may have seen bicycles, poles, or other everyday items decorated completely with yarn.
The crocheters who create those have gone freeform, highlighting one of crochet’s many artistic purposes. Crochet doesn’t have to be “practical” or “functional” all the time — it can be something else.
Today I’m here to show you a form that is even more “organic” — one that requires you to start from scratch. Completely.
I won’t give you any guidelines yet, because I want you to come up with a project, a design, based on anything fun and creative that inspires you. It can have a set structure, or it can be unlike anything crocheted before.
Starting “from scratch” can be a bit intimidating, so to get you started, here’s my latest “crochet sea creature” project, something I came up with on the spot:
What is it, exactly? Who knows! For now I’m calling it an “underwater whatsit.” (If you have any name ideas, please comment below!) It wasn’t hard coming up with the idea, starting with aquatic colors and a “sea-creature-like” objective; what was harder for me was finding different ways to vary the project, and make it as asymmetric as possible.
I started with a magic circle, and from there, used all sorts of different stitches — sl st, sc, dc, tr, as well as a cluster here and there. Then I switched colors, and added an unfinished project (another way to use up those projects you have started but don’t want to complete).
For your freeform project, you can also attach separate pieces to create multiple “dimensions.”
Remember, freeform art isn’t limited to crochet. Crochet is an example of one of the many ways freeform can be used to create artwork that’s new and different.
Now go have fun making freeform crochet art of your own!
Try out different textures, vary your gauge and yarn tension a bit, and see what comes out of it! Share your creative process on the Aquatic Crafts Forum (you can register free of charge to view and post there), or share your thoughts in the comments below!
Stay tuned for more Aquatic Crafts!
