Colorwork with Tapestry Crochet

Judy Anderson presents
a program on tapestry crochet.

Combine the sculptural qualities of crochet with color work techniques similar to fair isle knitting, and mosaic and figurative designs of tapestry weaving and you have the best of all worlds with tapestry crochet. This was the program topic at the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild May guild meeting.

Inspired by a workshop with Dr. Carol Ventura, Professor of Art at Tennessee Technological University, guild member Judy Anderson talked about the tapestry crochet technique and showed examples of crocheted pieces done by Dr. Ventura and others.

"Don't throw your Pearls to Swine" (left) and "You will Reap what you Sow,"
tapestry crochet works by Carol Ventura.

Kits, instructions and a demonstration were provided and guild members and guests had an opportunity to work on a small, two-color pouch while learning the technique.

Guild members work on tapestry crochet pieces.

Dr. Ventura, who studies and researches textiles around the world, has written several books on tapestry crochet. You can read more about tapestry crochet on Dr. Ventura's blog, "Tapestry Crochet... the rest of the story."

Books on Tapestry Crochet written by Carol Ventura.

Tapestry crochet bag and cup cozy.

A revival of Tapestry Crochet

It's not weaving, it's not canvas work, it's not needlepoint... this mosaic-like colorwork is called tapestry crochet and we'll be wielding our hooks with this technique at the May 5 meeting of the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild.

Tapestry crochet or mosaic crochet is a form of color crochet.

Tapestry crochet shares attributes of traditional crochet, fair isle and intarsia knitting and has a look similar to weaving. The geometric patterns give a nod to needlepoint and other canvas needle arts.

Tapestry crochet pouch necklace. 

The history of the art form can be seen in decorative crocheted borders from Switzerland, hats from Africa, yarmulkes from Israel and shoulder bags from Guatemala. Today, tapestry crochet can be used to make all kinds of objects—from scarves, hats, garments and jewelry to bowls, baskets, blankets and wall hangings. The resulting fabric can be soft and drapable or firm and rigid, depending on the tension (looseness or tightness) of the stitches. Various yarn weights, fiber types and hook sizes can produce a multitude of results.

At the May 5 guild meeting, a demonstration on making a small pouch necklace will be given. Kits will be available for purchase (yarns only kits and yarns + hook kits), or members can bring the following supplies to make the project.

• 2 small balls of cotton yarn (worsted or light worsted wt.) in two contrasting colors
• a size G metal crochet hook
• scissors

Let's carry on the tradition of this versatile and colorful needle art. Visit the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild on Saturday, May 5. New members are welcome!

Knit One Below: a stitch for many fabrics

A demonstration of the "Knit One Below" knitting technique was the program at the April Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild meeting. This technique creates a drapey fabric that looks good on both the right and wrong sides. Solid or long striping yarns are good choices for this type of colorwork knitting. A baby hat pattern using the Knit One Below (K1B) stitch can be found here.

As seen in Elise Duvekot's book, Knit One Below: One Stitch, Many Fabrics this technique offers a variety of color, design and pattern options. With the appropriate choice of yarn and needle size, K1B is an option for constructing your tote bag entry for the 2011 "Fiber and Caffeine get me going" Guild Challenge. All members are encouraged to experiment with new fabric and construction techniques for their Guild Challenge entry. Guidelines and deadline information for the annual Guild Challenge are listed here.

In support of the Guild Challenge's decorative design element guideline, the program for the May meeting will be "Bead as you Go." "This is an easy and flexible technique," says Kathy Swift-Lawson, the program's presenter, "and you don't have to pre-plan the design or pre-string the beads." Kathy uses this beading technique on her knitted scarves, but indicated that it could be used on crocheted items as well. So, how easy is that?? Come to the May guild meeting and find out!

Show and Tell

Left: hand woven dish towel   Right: knitted wall hanging from left-over sock yarns

Monogrammed woven baby "blankie"

Beaded knit scarf using "Bead as you Go"

Hand made Sneaters from felted recycled sweaters.

Sneater, Sneater, Sneater