Creative Work

"I've Got This in the Bag" is a Tote bag featuring a repeating heart granny square pattern made with orange and red yarn. As part of Crochet 101’s team thesis, this project embodies inspiration, determination, and growth. Hours of meticulous work went into each square, resulting in mindfulness and an outlet of expression through every stitch. Jenita's development as a crocheter is evident in this work, as seen in the complex composition, mastery of the project's pattern, and successful completion.

Multicolored Bucket Hat is a crocheted hat made of a pentagonal granny square connected to five granny squares. The hat is both decorative and functional, and the colors were chosen to match the artist’s wardrobe. Crochet allows one to practice mindfulness and creativity, both of which were practiced in the creation of the bucket hat. Concentrating on the crochet hook, stitches, and yarn increases mindfulness and relaxation, providing an escape from the world. Creativity is expressed in crochet by choosing different combinations of patterns, colors, stitches, yarn, and much more. The hat design was inspired by crochet artists on YouTube.

Starry Coin Bag is a small sinch bag that holds coins, jewelry, or other small objects. Composed of two granny squares, the motif of the yellow star is repeated on both sides on a dark green background, complimented by a yellow drawstring and a blue plaid liner which was sewed by machine from scraps of a vintage button-up shirt. The medium of crochet can become almost mindless, which is perfect for taking a break from physical and mental stress, although it can still produce beautifully crafted results.

Willy the Whale is a stuffed whale made out of African flowers with six sides which is a type of granny square. The colors of yarn used were blue, grey, white, and black. These colors were chosen to resemble the many different types of whales. Creating a stuffed animal was a calming experience and it allowed the artist to have a comforting item after it was finished which aligns with the team statement.

The meaning behind the work is peace. For this work Kayley focused on the detail and meaning behind her work. For this project she wanted to do something simple because she did have a hard time being a left handed crocheter. Crochet is a safe place that helps calm the nerves and focus on well being and mental health. The meaning behind this peace is a sense of accomplishment, which Kayley felt finishing this project despite the challenges.

Purple Purse is an over the shoulder bag composed of hexagonal panels made using the granny square technique. Crochet is a great way to unwind and create something you never have before. The gratifying feeling of being able to look back on your work and appreciate what you've created allows personal reflection and a healthy sense of achievement. This work double functions as a gratifying work and a functional bag.

Crocheting grounds me and allows me to have a moment where I’m completely focused on one thing which is hard because life can be very stressful. One of my favorite things is seeing my progression and creating my own techniques off of others. A big part of crochet is being creative and finding new ways to do things, It was fun to see tutorials and see three or four different techniques to get the same outcome. It also gave me something to be proud of. Being able to stick to a project and complete it is a huge task and crocheting is very rewarding in its results. When creating this basket I also was able to customize everything about it. I chose colors I love and the pattern I enjoyed best. There’s so much freedom and creativity you can express within crochet!

This piece is composed of granny squares in the form of pink flower motifs. Pale pink, white, and yellow yarn were crocheted to create this bag, intending to create a sense of calm and flowery fun. The process of researching and learning the techniques needed to create this piece within the workshop helped foster a sense of community as students supported each others’ learning. Having such a strong foundation of support to draw upon allowed the bag to be made in a relaxing and stress free environment. The bag showcases the functional yet fun nature of crocheting as well as the importance of community in learning and building new skills. 

This pocket bag can be used to hold small items on your person. Crochet can be used to connect families and friends to one another, as individuals can benefit from a shared experience and a gratifying feeling of fulfillment. This eclectic and imperfect bag represents the bond that members of a community can form through art. It may not be perfect, but it was the journey that mattered, not the destination.

This piece titled A Starry Night  explores the artistic process through the medium of crochet. It is a white banner that is laden with multiple white stars and pink hearts across its entirety. The choice of colors are meant to reflect the colors of the stars and my favorite color pink.  Each star and heart was crocheted individually with yarn, while the banner itself was made all together. Although crochet is not a medium that the artist was familiar with, it was still utilized because it is a fluid medium that allows one to express their creativity in a non normative way.  In comparison to painting or digital media, crochet asks the artist to think outside of the box for to make their ideas a reality. 

During the Crochet 101 workshop; one of the lessons was about the meaning of work. In this case the intent behind this shoulder bag bag was to be cute, and small but still noticeable. The size of the work was chosen in order to make the design in the middle the focus and the colors made it so that it would grab people’s attention. Allowing it to be worn with many different outfits, as the colors are neutral and can complement multiple other ones with ease.

This work of art was completed with yarn and a hook to complete the art of crocheting. By creating these granny squares, Leah desires to reach the audiences of people who limit themselves within art. She normally dances as her relative medium of art, but by creating these granny squares, she wants to display that there are other forms of art that she can accomplish and dabble in. In a world filled with stress, this workshop presents crochet as a powerful tool for well-being and creativity across diverse backgrounds, exploring crochet's layers, and showcasing its potential for personal rejuvenation and community connections.

This crochet piece features a terrapin with a shell design inspired by granny squares, employing a variety of stitches and colors to create a vibrant and expressive piece of art. Through crochet, this artwork aims to evoke a sense of calm and connection to the natural world, while also proudly displaying a connection to the UMD Terrapins, fostering a sense of school spirit. All the stitches and patterns utilized are derived from those found in a classic granny square. This handmade creation serves as both a decorative piece and a comforting companion, bringing a touch charm to any space.