Mini Soft Sculpture & Fluorescent Lights

I try not to hate things, but I hate the rain. I know we need it… but living in California has me spoiled. Tried to work on my collection this weekend and it's s-l-o-w-l-y progressing. I decided I needed ergonomic crochet hooks... ya. I have a horrible habit of web surfing and finding new patterns while I am working. I then drop everything to learn it. The cycle continues. It’s pretty bad – I think it’s classified as ADD, but I can read a book in a day so I tell myself that I don’t have attention problems and that I am overly eager to learn new things. Optimism, ya baby!!

While flipping through my latest edition of CRAFT Magazine, I came across a miniature knit (or “knitted,” your preference really) bicycle. Christina Oh, an artist located in Los Angeles, knit a bicycle and swing set with miniature knitting needles. "Oh," the dedication. I would last five minutes in her shoes during this project... maybe ten. I tend to use bigger needles than recommended because I love an instant reward. Some people are blessed with patience. This I admire.

by Christina Oh (knit/crochet, string, polyester filling)

stamp doodle by Christina Oh (digital illustration)

Back to me. Here is another reason I don’t like the rain: horrible lighting! I need lots of UV rays for my mood and for photography. One of the reasons I have not posted my latest work is because the lighting has been so drab, I just can’t bare it. Plus, my work place is lit with buzzing fluorescent lights.

I had a bad thought about someone last night and I hit my head really hard while getting out of my car. I’ve never hit my head there. KARMA.

Me Love Amigurumi

I am officially obsessed with the art of crochet and I am seriously glad that I took the beginners crochet class because I needed to learn how to read patterns and navigate my way through mistakes.

One absolutely amazing thing about crochet is that you can mold figures one stitch at a time. This is harder with knitting because you are always working in whole rows and one mistake can ruin the uniformity of the design if you don’t properly “un-do.”

Plus, crochet is quickly rewarding - especially if using big needles. I need to feel rewarded when working. I am not patient. I know this. Impatience can be a crippling or productive trait – depending on the situation and emotions I decide to project that day. I believe emotional roller coasters can be a blessing in disguise because all emotion can be turned into intense positive energy with effort(I understand exceptions… like the day I need an exorcist.)

Anyway! This is what I wanted to show you. Amigurumi. The Japanese art of crocheting or knitting stuffed figures. These figures are typically animals but can also be inanimate objects as well – as long as they are cute. They are similar to forms in Japanese animation – which explains the typically distorted proportions. Distorted proportions are “cute” because they signify that the object is disabled, therefore we feel sympathy for it because it has a slimmer chance of survival in its own. Babies have big heads and big eyes with little arms and legs. They are helpless. They are cute. Take a look at your stuffed animal or doll. It’s so true.
Anyway – I’m lovin’ amigurumi. Tonight I am working on this puppy. but he/she will be made of bubble gum pop electric colors. Is that weird if I give it a sideways cap? I think it could be cute… for reasons other than cute disproportion.

Check it out:

Awesome Amigurumi Patterns!

Sandra Backlund: Genius, Me: Inspired

So, last night I had my crochet class. I am already brainstorming about some sculptural ideas – with knitting and crocheting – there are a lot of possibilites. The class was in the middle of a gigantic craft store and people were watching the whole time. I was hangin’ out with the moms. It’s was great, but those aren’t the possibilities I am referring to…

Before I left my class last night, I picked up a magazine called “VOGUEKnitting.” I expected to see some Christmas sweaters, granny squares, etc. Quite the opposite. I randomly opened the page to one of the most genius fashion designers I have ever seen.

Her name is Sandra Backlund - from Sweden. Here’s some of her work.

Perfect Hurts Collection

“My work is very personal to me. I improvise and allow myself to lose control and see what happens if I do not think so much about the practical things. I am interested in almost every traditional handicraft method. I do experiment a lot with different materials and techniques, but it is through my heavy wool collage knitting that I have found the ultimate way to express myself.”

-Sandra Backlund

Last Breath Bruises Collection

Blank Page Collection