Taking My Craft Public

I have previously written about my experiment in free-form crochet (see Free-form Crochet Project post).

That little experiment has evolved and three projects have been completed.  And this past weekend those three projects, and a knitted scarf (see previous post Library Weeded It...) were entered into a local fiber art show.

The whole idea of displaying my work in public (other than wearing it) is enough to make me hyperventilate.  Fortunately, my friend Karla was leading the way.  But I was still nervous, anxious, and excited by turns and all that together.  And I am a bit ashamed to admit at how proud I am of my work.

I picked up the entry form and started on the "yes I will, oh, no I can't" hamster wheel of vacillation.

I took baby steps and committed myself to entering something because I had told Karla I would. Thus, I had something to do with my first free-form project.

This piece is titled "Freeform the First."  As my very first venture into free-form crochet I am happy and surprised by the way it turned out.  I have at times hated the pop of red or the softness of the pink.  I like how the dark purple shows up against the black background -- although it doesn't look as dark as it does to the naked eye.


Then I finished my second project and because it was so different, I decided it should be in the show, too.

This project was originally titles "Lack of Light" but was quickly renamed when my first attempts at mounting it to poster board were less than successful as "Loathing in Fiber."  The morning before submission was was moved to take it from its mounting and submit it as it lays.  Sometimes a piece speaks to me.  I resisted the urge to take scissors to it.  This picture shows it not completely blocked.


All the while I was thinking horror-filled thoughts of what I was doing.  Why, oh, why was I putting my work on display?  No one could possibly like it?  What if they did?!?!?!

As the show is also a scarf show I decided to display my purple cowl (see my previous post on Library Weeded It... for the whole story behind that one).  For some strange reason I did not get those sinking, awful feelings over this entry.  I know my scarf is beautiful.

I love my purple cowl.  It was my first design project using a great reference in Barbara Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns.  I did block it and it looks better than it does in this unblocked form in this photo.  I also put it up for sale. That scares me a bit.  But if someone does buy it I can buy more yarn!

My free-form crochet experiments continued and I made smaller motifs.  I joined six together and thought I was finished. (see photo to the right of it on black)  A friend, well, Karla suggested that it did not looked completed so I edged the entire thing in dark purple (center photo right).  that wasn't enough and some of the holes needed filling (see third photo).  And that was it.  It was done!

For some reason I did not dread this one either, once it was done.

Let me tell you about dropping them off:  it was nerve wracking. I wanted to grab them and run out the door with them.  I felt as if I was dropping my child off to school for the first time.  I felt strangely bereft and elated at the same time.

But I left my submissions there and went with Karla to console myself with a lovely piece of pumpkin pecan pie.

Now if I can bring myself to go to the opening reception and show my face.....