Freeform Knitting and Crochet
75Scrumbles
Are you one of those people that never wanted to color inside the lines? Are you happier inventing your own way of doing things than you are in following a pattern? Do you love wild shapes and textures?
Then Freeform Knitting and Crochet may be for you.
I first got into this in the 1970's when it was called organic fiber arts. At the time macramé and hippy crafts were having a revival and folk art was making a big impact. Then in the 80's I made a fantastical rock opera style robe to wear to street fairs. People stopped me constantly to ask me how to make one just like it! I told them it was a one of a kind original and I couldn't make another one just like it even if I tried.
Since then that creative process has been bubbling away and gathering momentum.
Freeform crochet is a modular form. You make random sized pieces sometimes called "Scrumbles" and then you put them together to form garments and purses and wall hangings. It's a lot of fun because everything is original and very much like painting with yarns, ribbons, beads, seashells and found objects.
Some people like to toss each ‘scrumble' in a bin and figure out what to do with it later.
Others sort their piles by color or texture.
It really helps to have a dress form. Or talk a friend into helping you pin it all together. I love to use safety pins to temporarily attach all the parts together.
To be good at freeform you need to know how to increase and decrease so you can make squares, triangles, circles and amoeba type shapes. It's a great way to use up leftover bits of yarn. Sometimes freeform artists swap pieces with each other to add more variety to the look.
Don't be surprised if people stop by to ask what you are making. I usually answer, "I don't know yet, but I bet it's going to be awesome."
More about freeform
More photos here: http://flickr.com/groups/scrumbles/
A very busy Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FFCrochet/
Freeform piece waiting to be part of a garment
Need more knitting info?
Teaching Free Form Crochet and Knitting
I just found out I'm going to be teaching FF crochet and knitting in November at a major retailer. So I'm going to make up a bunch of samples to give people the idea. What a great opportunity to help people break free of following patterns and blaze a new trail.
Since I have a crochet class to teach tonight, I was reviewing some things. I randomly grabbed Silvia Cosh's Crochet Sweater Book off my bookshelf and realized her butterfly sweater would be a perfect format for a freeform crochet project! I think I will make it in shades of purple and blue and maybe some metallic silver for pizazz. I was surprised to see this book from the '80's is still available on Amazon.
The how to instructions are excellent and will be a big help in tonight's class.
My Blogs on Crochet and Knitting
- Knit a Bit of Magic
My Knitting Blog - Hookery
My older crochet blog. - Wild Jigsaw Knit and Crochet
A new hub for all my freestyle projects.
Moonmaiden blog
woodstockhooker
Mr. Puppet Hat
Animated Wormheads
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Its funny that a lot of people knit, and do not realise that is is quicker to crochet things and I think they look prettier too. Especially baby things. and toys.
Thanks for sharing I have a helpful crochet hut to if you care to have a look.
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NEW Freeform Knitting and Crochet 9781863513272
Current Bid: $13.66
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FREEFORM KNITTING AND CROCHET (MILNER CRAFT - BOOK *NEW
Current Bid: $12.22
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Freeform Knitting and Crochet by Jenny Dowde (2004)
Current Bid: $14.60
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Freeform Knitting and Crochet
Current Bid: $11.70
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Freeform Knitting and Crochet (Milner Craft Series)
Price: $10.96
List Price: $21.95 |
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Annie's Attic-Fun With Free-Form Crochet
Price: $7.99
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Freeform Knitting And Crochet
Price: $13.00
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Freeformations: Design and Projects in Knitting and Crochet (Milner Craft Series)
Price: $11.72
List Price: $21.95 |



intimo says:
14 months ago
Thanks for the link.