Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Early one morning last week, I was dressed and ready to go out, dressed in crochet, but wanted to get the crock pot going with arroz con pollo to simmer all day. Suddenly, I realized I was missing one ingredient: a can of diced tomatoes! The chicken and all the seasonings were in the pot and I had no other choice than to run out to the grocery to buy the can of tomatoes. No problem, I thought; I will turn it on low and be back within 20 minutes. It will hardly be heated up by then and I'll just throw the tomatoes on top.
I created "Americana Jacket" in probably 1997 and published the instructions to make it in February 1999 in Arts & Crafts Magazine.
(The crock pot story will continue). I don't know if that magazine still exists and I consider the jacket a bit tattered by now, but I do enjoy wearing it, especially in the fall. Denim is timeless and well, it has crocheted sleeves. I was just about keeping on schedule until I got in the check-out lane. The lady behind me admired my jacket; recognized it as crochet and just didn't stop talking about how wonderful the yarns and colors are and how great it is that it is crocheted and how did I do it? I still remember to this day where the inspiration came from. It was a knit version of a similar jacket hanging in a yarn store (which no longer exists either) That was probably 1988, By now the check-out clerk has joined in the conversation and is telling us how much she admires crochet and would love to have time to do it.
It was a wonderful feeling to have such a friendly conversation during what would normally be a drudgery of a trip to the grocery. I made it home, not in 20 minutes, but before the chicken scorched! Tomtoes on top and I was off! Those comments and compliments I heard at the grocery were not the last I heard that day. It seems that my jacket was quite a hit all over town, no matter where I went. Hmmm, is it the denim or the crochet that is timeless or is it all the texture and combination of colors that draw attention. By the time I reached home I was tired and ready for a break from so much attention, but it was also quite satisfying to think that something I enjoyed making so much twenty years ago is still worth wearing today.
Crochet buddy, Boston Bobble, and I went on a field trip to the Fine Art of Fiber. It is co-sponsored by the Embroiderers, Weavers and Quilters' guilds and has been an annual inspiration for many years. This year was no exception. I had finished my freeform scarf from my class with Prudence Mapstone at the Chain Link Crochet Conference in Sept. just days before. I purposely chose to wear this artful piece to this event, knowing that it would be a haven of needleworkers who can appreciate all that went into my scarf.
There was not shortage of admirers and Boston Bobble said she was going to start keeping track of the number of compliments. Thank you, Prudence, for your inspiring class! I do appreciate admiration, but it was actually starting to get to be a bit embarrasing! Boston Bobble, sweet thing that she is, said, "Don't you just love it?" I had to explain that really, I create what makes me happy, especially in the freeform arena and I don't depend on compliments. If it makes me happy, then I have accomplished what I set out too. Others' admiration is "icing on the cake" though!
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