CONTEMPLATIVE CROCHET

“Contemplative Crochet” is a different kind of book for my library. This quote caught my attention:

‘Craft, spirituality, and vocation all require a certian reaching out,a seeking of inspiration, a search for wisdom.’

‘……..staying curious, open to possibilities….’

This book combines the creative and meditative elements of crochet with spiritual connectedness – linking the spirit of crochet to each of the world’s great religions, tying together religious practice and overarching spiritual patterns connecting all of us.

The book contains only a few patterns, but lots of stores and explanations of crative and spiritual traditions. Also discussed are charitable ventures for crochet, gratitude, community, paths to greater creativitiy, and the combining of crochet with prayer and meditation to strenghten our spiritual connections.

I found this book to be a refreshing diversion from my usual reads. It’s certainly not for every taste, but if you find crochet to be meditative like I do, you might enjoy ‘Contemplative Crochet’.

Contemplative Crochet – A Hands On Guide for Interlocking Faith and Craft

by Cindy Crandall-Frazier

Skylight Paths Publishers, 2008, $16.99

187 pages with B&W pictures only

ISBN 9781594732386

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The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.”

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them.

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits.

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves.

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit.

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy.

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]

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Have you read?