Sara over at Creative Jewish Mom has created another winning pattern for us. It is smashing looking – better IMO as a table topper than as a rug – and she even gives us her own free pattern to make this beauty. People are showing ‘exploded doily’ patterns all over the place – and I love them! One of the great things about crochet is its flexibility and adaptability. If you want to make this small enough for your bedside table, just work it up in a thin thread. If you want it to cover your queen size bed, just make it with a larger yarn and/or hook. However you might choose to use Sara’s pattern, be sure to print it off and save it in your pattern stash. You’ll need it one of these days!
P.S. I’m also impressed at how uncluttered Sara’s dining room table is. How the heck does she pull that one off???
I recently got my hands on Kim Guzman’s latest book, “Tunisian Crochet Stitch Guide.” You’re gonna like this book! For a fairly small soft cover book, this stitch guide is packed with useful information, excellent photographs, and a large number of interesting stitches patterns. The cover alone will entice you to pick up the book, even, if like me, Tunisian is not your favorite way to crochet. Each of the 61 stitches contained in this book is presented in great detail. The 14 basic Tunisian stitches are presented first as these are the building blocks for all the other stitches which I’ll refer to as stitch patterns. For each stitch pattern, there is a clear color photo, along with a list of the basic stitches used, and a large, clear chart.
Although Kim designs in traditional crochet as well, many people will recognize her as one of the leading designers in Tunisian. I’ve been a fan of hers for some time. This book is a grand accomplishment in furthering the art of Tunisian. I have only to look at the previous Leisure Arts publication (Leaflet 122), “Teach Yourself Afghan Stitch” and compare it with Kim’s new book to see how far she has brought the understanding of this form of crochet which goes by several names – Tunisian, Afghan, Shepherd’s Knitting, Railway Knitting, and many others. They are all essentially the same form of crochet (not knitting) that we now mostly refer to as Tunisian or Afghan Stitch. Since it can be used for many things besides crocheting afghans, I prefer the term ‘Tunisian’.
Kim’s book is also perfectly sized for stashing in your crochet bag to carry along and refer to as you work. While the book contains only a single full pattern, a scarf, you’ll find yourself wanting to make that one right away! And, a scarf is the perfect project IMO to test out a pattern stitch. I think you’ll find yourself going back, again and again, to refer to the stitch patterns included in the book to create all kinds of Tunisian projects of your own.
Yesterday I went out in search of two skeins of Noro tho finish the sweater I’ve been working on and stopped in one of my favorite yarn shops in St. Louis – Knitorious. It’s hard for me when I am in shop like this to stick to just getting what I came for. As I sat at their table knitting a few rows my mind drifted to two projects recently post on this blog. I am alway inspired by several things going on here.
Before I knew it I was day dreaming of Quinton’s ambitious project of knitting his way through Cheryl Oberle’s designs in her book Folk Shawls. He has been posting many wonderful completed garments. We recently saw his finished shawl Kimono – how lovely it turned out. I have a lovely yarn in my stash that would work up wonderfully in that pattern – found the book and added it to the two noro skeins waiting for me at the counter.
As I continued knitting I though of Mark’s current project of the top down Raglan he is working on (it’s time we saw another picture of the progress Mark) an that got me thinking of another yarn in my stash that I have been saving for just the right project. I’ve never done a top down pattern and got up and went in search of another book. I found a wonderful book by Bruce Weinstein with photographs from JAred Flood called Knits Men Want and saw a pattern that would be great to try in this style. Added it to my growing pile.
After knitting awhile longer my mind began to drift again – got up and paid my bill and left before I purchase something else. But what a great afternoon I spent on an overcast day. So thanks guys.
You have a rare opportunity. The exhibition, Order and Disorder: Alighiero Boetti by Afghan Women closes this weekend at the Fowler Museum of Art at UCLA. Coinciding with the recent opening of the Boetti retrospective at MoMA, the Fowler show offers an especially rare look at this work. These incredible embroideries are exhibited side-by-side with the equally absorbing story of not just how they were made -but how their production was documented.
Randi Malkin Steinberger, an American photographer, met Alighiero Boetti in the mid eighties when she was living in Italy. Her book, Boetti by Afghan People, tells how she met Boetti, began collaborating with him, and then found herself traveling to Peshawar, Pakistan at his request to photograph women who were embroidering his works (Boetti was prevented such contact, due to religious custom). Adding to the barriers: hundreds of these women were being held as prisoners of war during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. Randi was being sent on a mission that could prove dangerous for an American, and would require some stealthiness. She had no idea if she would be allowed access inside the camp, or for how long.
photo : Randi Malkin Steinberger
The entire story of Boetti’s embroidered works and Randi’s determination to gain entrance into the camps runs so deep, is so dense, so fascinating, that it’s only been by repeat visits to the exhibition, reading the back story, listening to Randi talk at the exhibition and through private discussions with her that I gained an enriched perspective on Boetti’s embroideries and how he felt about these works. Understanding it takes you far beyond presumptive responses: that these craftspeople were simply exploited, that the viewer should be shielded from the unseemly process of “making art”, that a museum should not be showing these photographs at all, least of all in the same room with the art itself.
While it’s generally not the position of a contemporary art museum to explain an artist’s process to its audience, The Fowler Museum of art at UCLA, as part of a larger, educational institution has a unique role. Their stated mission is to “explore global arts and cultures…featuring the work of international contemporary artists presented within the complex frameworks of politics, culture and social action…through informative and thought-provoking exhibitions and events for the UCLA community and the people of greater Los Angeles and beyond.” Moreover, Boetti desired these photographs to be shown.
Boetti viewing embroidered “mappa” being unpacked
photo : Randi Malkin Steinberger
It’s made clear that Boetti had a specific intention of entwining Randi’s photos along with the embroideries. That these photographs be compiled as its own project was his expressed wish, choosing with Randi those fifty-five photographs compiled in her book. Only, Boetti would pass away before this project was fully realized. The entirety of the story makes clear his deep affection for these craftspeople, their culture, and their equal affection and appreciation for him. That his mother ran an embroidery business from their home when he was a child, involving numerous hands in the process, makes this work seem even more personal.
Randi said that Boetti often signed these embroideries “Boetti by Afghan People” as acknowledgement of their work. “He really viewed these embroideries as a collaboration” Randi says. They often made their own choices while working, with unusual results: pink or purple oceans, or bits of poetry in their own language integrated into the wordplay Boetti had originally laid out for them to embroider.
Boetti saw these changes as an integral part of the work and the wordplay he loved so much. Similarly, Randi’s photographs become not just a record, but an extension of the work itself.
In this era of cameras-are-everywhere and easy, digital photography, Randi’s photos, caught in a mere 2-3 hour window under uncertain and unpredictable circumstances are rare glimpses into a cloistered world we may never have seen. Like his “Lampada Annuale”, Boetti ensured that the illumination, however brief, is a fact, and not a mere deception.
photo : Randi Malkin Steinberger
I sincerely urge you to visit this exhibition before it closes. You can further read about this work and Randi’s incredible story from her book and the museum’s catalog:
La Llorona 2005, hand embroidery on cotton 17″ x 25″
After over a year of preparation and anticipation, 40 under 40 : Craft Futures opens to the public this week. I will be in attendance in Washington, DC, along with many of the artists included. The public is encouraged to take this opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their art. Needless to say, I am beyond thrilled to have my work included among so many artists I admire, and become a part of the museum’s permanent collection. I have made a gift of my piece La Llorona to the museum in honor of my mother and father.
The exhibition will tour nationally after its close in DC.
40 under 40: Craft Futures is is presented in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery. The exhibition investigates evolving notions of craft within traditional media. The range of disciplines represented illustrates new avenues for the handmade in contemporary culture. The artists included in the exhibition originate from every region of the United States and five countries.
The exhibition will tour nationally after it closes in Washington, D.C. A catalogue will be available at the public opening.
The museum intends to acquire works by every artist in the exhibition for the permanent collection to mark the anniversary.
Plus size girls also want to look sexy and attractive in the sand for them looking lovely and vintage trend plays an important role this season as they can play with the cuts, prints and long dresses to give that elegant and retro is so fashionable.
Fashion swimwear
Among the outfits that look great is this whole swimsuit in brown halter neckline with combinations of whole brown stripes patterned vintage. Cutting the sixties-inspired legs is going to start from the hips, making the legs look thinner and further underscoring the shape and size of the bust.
Another model, similar to the previous, this suit is draped detailing on the front in yellow gold, an elegant tone that disguises the figure due to the cut of the design. Here is halter neckline maintains the charm and makes the silhouette. Both this model as the former is of the firm Monifc , which specializes in clothing for girls chubby .
But if you want to display your hips but secretly show them off, you can opt for this dress in pink signature Always for me . The model combines a two-piece outfit consisting of a jersey mini dress with truza boobies and a beach that give this cute and sexy color result. If you’re a pink tan you’ll do great.
If you like vintage prints, this look with black bathing truza is the best option. This suit has a mini dress cut to the buttocks and allows you to move and swim with ease, keeping your retro style and elegance. You can combine it with hats and glasses and will look very chic.
For those who dream of a pin up or lolita style, this swimsuit with polka-dots and halter neckline is the best choice. The combination of black T-shirt truza stamped in white polka dots and red suspenders give you a very sexy look and elegant styling will also figure. This look is ideal for fair skin and tanned.
Finally, the firm Swimsuits for All , presents again this vintage halter style with prints, this time made of palm leaves in various shades of pink and white on a black background elegant. The cut of the dress is mid-hip, giving a cut sexy cute. As in previous designs, this swimsuit has two pieces: a black truza top bath and a long, elegant.
If you want to look slimmer figure, opt for a swimsuit in black with a single color prints, like this look in black and white twigs. The straight cut and halter straps give an elegant and chic further refined silhouette.
So you know, the fashion trends but are not integers bikinis and two piece suits gorditas. If you do not know which models to use, now no excuse to see sexy in summer.
First of all today I want to say thanks. Thanks for the response to my last post. Apparently I made a few of you cry, I really didn’t mean for you to cry and I’m sorry. I must admit though that when I talk about those pieces in any detail I do get a bit choked myself. Following on from that I will give you an update on the status of my ‘little people”, the ones I wanted to wrap, envelop and karen ruane
A friend is looking for the source of this pretty baby afghan. It’s very similar to one of several patterns that include ‘Flower Garden’ in the names. I have seen this exact afghan before but worked in different colors. If you know the source of this pattern, please post it in the Comments section below. I suspect it appeared in a crochet magazine some years back. I’ve been unable to find the exact pattern online. Thanks for the help!
Since I’ve been writing so much about crochet for summer lately, I got an email from my blogging ‘buddy’ Maria Merlino. She has designed this lovely ‘skirt’ which really would work well as a beach cover up. One thing I particularly like about this pattern is that it goes up to Plus Size. That’s so hard to find – and a thoughtful option to offer from a designer.
Mario Merlino's Spider Stitch Skirt
I have discovered that I really like crocheting the spider stitch motifs. They are as ‘addictive’ as pineapples! The seem to work up really quickly. This pretty skirt would be equally attractive worked up in almost any yarn – except something really fuzzy like mohair. From thread to bulky yarn, you’d get a good result. You can get the free pattern on Maria’s blog here . Although the pattern may look complicated to a beginner, it’s actually not very challenging to crochet. Try one!
