MODERN CROCHET
What is Modern Crochet?
The Evolution of Modern Crochet is the making of fabric by manipulating yarn similar to knitting except it is worked with a hook. The word “crochet” is a derivative of French and German meaning “hook” or “small hook” from where the first records of crochet are found. Pulling the yarn through 1, 2, 3 or more threads creates the patterns that we know today.
The history of Crochet is unclear, being a skill that was taught by word of mouth.
In the 19th century it started gaining popularity in Europe where it was referred to as “shepherds knitting”. Consequently it took a long while to establish itself as an art form.
Zelda Bronstein wrote an article on how Irish Crochet saved the Irish people from starvation. Irish Crochet is ….” generally credited to Mademoiselle Riego de Blanchard ere, the daughter of Franco-Spanish nobleman and an Irish mother figured out how to make lace that resembled Venetian Needle Point lace but worked on a crochet hook and much faster (Bronstein. Z, 2005. Berkley Daily Planet) only taking approximately a 10th of the time.
Modern Crochet as it evolved into to what we recognize today
Most crochet used to be worked in rows, the difference between old fashioned crochet and more modern crochet being that originally Irish crochet was and still is today, worked as individual motifs that can be pieced together and built into any design.
When it was originally it was given the royal stamp of approval by Queen Victoria, this lay the foundation of crochet that we know today.
Modern Crochet in Recent Years
Many creative northern European artisans have pushed crochet into new areas of art and design during the 21st century creating modern and traditional Freeform designs.
Australian Designer Christine Pietraszek adopted and contributed to the art of traditional crochet many years ago when she taught beginners the art.
Recently Christine embraced Freeform crochet to expand current skills to an additional level of art and design. Christine’s new creations give an indication of what can be done when boundaries are changed.
The Black Cocktail Dress started at summer school was completed and exhibited at the 2016 Whiteman Autumn Alpaca Fashion Show as the yarn used was 100% alpaca from Christan Farm in the Chittering Valley and Kallaroo Park Alpacas Farm Albany. Christine explored and learned to manipulate many motifs into the designs exhibited, the shapes of nature influencing many of the patterns. Also a number of freeform arts influenced the motifs and design with a special thanks to Jessie Pattinson who lives in Denmark for her teaching and encouraging support.
The Little Black Dress
The Black Cocktail Dress started at summer school was completed and exhibited at the 2016 Whiteman Autumn Alpaca Fashion Show as the yarn used was 100% alpaca from Christan Farm in the Chittering Valley and Kallaroo Park Alpacas Farm Albany. Christine explored and learned to manipulate many motifs into the designs exhibited, the shapes of nature influencing many of the patterns. Also a number of freeform arts influenced the motifs and design with a special thanks to Jessie Pattinson who lives in Denmark for her teaching and encouraging support.
The Vine Bolero
The Vine Bolero came straight after as an extension of the skills growing with further research into the stitches being used in Irish Crochet as this a major foundation technique in freeform crochet.
See The Vine Bolero in the making.
The nature of vines influenced in the design and pattern. Also using suri alpaca yarn in the vine and the fine Huacaya yarn as the filler background. The eye tries to following the pattern line but as with vines gets lost in its complexity.
