Pondering Freeform Crochet

[kerravonsen]

Freeform Crochet has been described as "random" and "anything goes", and "crocheting without a pattern", but it isn't, not really.

1. There are lots of step-by-step tutorials on "how to make a scrumble", which kind of goes against the whole "random" idea, doesn't it? Mind you, I think part of that is because some people are scared of not having a pattern to tell them what to do, so they need a guide to help dip their toes in. Presumably they either spread their wings or retreat.

2. It isn't actually random, because there is design. Correction: the good stuff has design. The crappy stuff is truly random.

3. There are patterns too - at least if one is making a garment, you have to have a (sewing) pattern to conform to in order to make something garment-like. And if your garment is lined, then there's definitely a sewing pattern happening, for the lining, and to make the rest of it line up with the lining.

4. There's also the tricky bit of trying to ensure that each scrumble is flat rather than bunched up.

There exist some absolutely fabulous artists in this field, and also others who Just Don't Get It, and make stuff that I consider to be pretty ugly.

Ugly

not that ugly, but a bunch of random spirals is just boring
what an awful combination of colours
um, what?
looks like it's made out of imitation rags
okay, I don't like barnacles, I admit it
randomness is random
raaaaaandom
even more random
nooo!
auugh!
my eyes! my eyes!
dig out my eyes with a spork!

Fabulous

delicate colours, flowing lines
not too much, not too little
this shouldn't work, but it does; it is just so bouncy
eye-popping straight out of the 60s
a-maz-ing
beautiful use of negative space
like stained glass
like pastel stained glass
like a cross between wood and water
the lines catch your eye, the colours contrast harmoniously
almost monochrome
such texture
even more texture
flowing river
woodlands
summer twilight

Comments

[vilakins]

I especially love the wood and water one, and woodlands. Are most of those from scrumbles or aqctually designed from the start, I wonder.

[kerravonsen]

Are most of those from scrumbles or aqctually designed from the start, I wonder.

Looking at the structure of the finished work, I'd think that ones like the "wood and water" one would have to be designed from the start, just from the way it goes together. On the other hand, some of those monochrome ones could easily have their start from scrumbles which were then arrayed pleasingly and joined. I expect it's a bit of both.

I expect it's like the difference between a seat-of-the-pants writer and a planner. Some people will do it one way, others another.

[fred_mouse]

I keep looking at these kind of ideas, and then going back to very rigid forms. I have hopes of getting out of my comfort zone at some point. I've decided that the obvious solution is to make a scrumble for the Cat Haven, but until I finish some other tasks, not a good plan.

[kerravonsen]

Stay in your comfort zone: this is a hobby, it's supposed to be fun!
Me, I like the idea of freeform crochet because I don't like following patterns.

[fred_mouse]

I think that once I get over myself, I will really love freeform crochet - I hate patterns. Pretty much, I got taught basic Granny Squares (badly, it turns out), and have been riffing off that for years. At the moment, I'm 95% through a blanket where I decide what I'm doing for the next row, and go from there. Still a giant Granny Square, but lots of textures and colours!

[miamadwyn.livejournal.com]

How to do this? Okay, I love "my eyes, my eyes" and "um, what?"

Will now go look at the ones you like!

[miamadwyn.livejournal.com]

And I see why you love the others. I would love the "woodlands" most especially--if it were tunic length.

[kerravonsen]

(nods)

[jaxomsride.livejournal.com]

I can see why you liked the fabulous ones and as for the "spork" one, definitely a case of someone being colour deaf!

[kerravonsen]

"colour deaf" - I like it!

[dreamflower]

Most of the ugly ones just look like someone desperate to use up that stash of ugly 70s yarn inherited from an aunt, while maybe practicing some new stitches, and then joining them together. (They remind me of a hideous afghan I made back in the 70s, for mainly those very two reasons.)

But, oh yes, fabulous ones are fabulous, and make me think of putting aside the knitting needles for a while and picking up the crochet hook again. Maybe after the first of the year...

[kerravonsen]

desperate to use up that stash of ugly 70s yarn inherited from an aunt, while maybe practicing some new stitches

Ha! Yes.

But, oh yes, fabulous ones are fabulous, and make me think of putting aside the knitting needles for a while and picking up the crochet hook again.

One can apparently do freeform knitting as well. Or a combination of the two. Or other stuff as well, like macrame, if one wanted to.

But, yes, the difference between random and artistry.

[dreamflower]

Are you familiar with the publication Belle Armoire? It's a magazine featuring wearable art and artists. I've seen some marvelous free-form needlework in that.

But some of those you posted links to were spectacular!

[persephone-kore.livejournal.com]

I really like the river one and the wood-and-water.

[kerravonsen]

8-)