iamintheloop.com Blog

As a firm believer that form follows function, I also believe that technical perfection and artfulness are inseparable. One needs to know the rules before breaking them has any meaning, or deliberateness…

… and Design is a deliberate endeavor — it’s where color and shape and texture come together for a common purpose. Whether it is your home, your favorite sweater or your dream car: design is not separate from utility. In fact, design enhances utility… feng shui emphasizes symmetries in placement that are open to movement and airflow; your favorite sweater is likely warm, washable and in colors that ease you; and your dream car has curves that not only make you swoon, but also improve efficiency through aerodynamic engineering.

The results of your crochet will only be enhanced by employing good design. It is all the little details, accumulated, that create completed projects that seem perfect.

Here are 3 simple examples:

• Back loop only stitches not only create a wonderfully ribbed texture, but the resulting fabric has a delicious stretch. That same stretch, however, would make a poor choice if it were employed anywhere the structure had the pull of weight — near a shoulder seam, for instance. And an unlined satchel made of back loop only stitches couldn’t maintain its shape for very long.

• When combining colors, the lighter colors draw attention and the darker colors create shadows. Placement is everything! If you want to minimize your bustline, keep the lightest colors closer to your hips, or at your shoulders or elbows. Adding a detailing element across the fullest portion of the bust, on the other hand, is very enhancing and is a favorite trick for creating an illusion of fullness.

• Crochet isn’t only for lace or openwork. Experimenting with stitch placement and stitch combinations can yield many varieties of flexible fabric, with great drape, that also provide full coverage. The key, however, is to use a fine enough gauge yarn. Chances are, if you want the detail and hand of a knitted sweater made in DK weight yarn, you’ll need to go down to sportweight in crochet. Keeping in mind the chunkiness of the stitches doesn’t need to limit your choices as long as you choose to expand your repertoire.