Sizzlin' Freeform

While in New Hampshire gittin' my crochet (and knit) on, I decided to take a freeform knitting class. Actually, I decided to take the class at the time of registration, months before the actual onset of the conference.

This decision deserves a little background. Now, if you haven't figured this out about my work yet dear readers, the stuff I conjure up is not exactly freeform-friendly. Okay, yes, it's free in conceptual form, but when it comes to the actual execution of the work, my crazy junk is anything but freeform. First and foremost, I write EVERYTHING down. I mean this when I say it. Every. Single. Detail. Is documented. I also regularly use Excel to mock up virtual garments and to model my garment measurement specifications before I knit or crochet anything. Oh, and I always, ALWAYS swatch.

So yeah, freeform? Ah, no.

Also, before I go any further I must also disclose the fact that I'm generally not a big fan of the projects I've seen produced by using freeform techniques, although I do like her work quite a bit. However, much of what I see just doesn't appeal to my aesthetic. If it's your thing though, I heartily encourage you to continue scrumbling away. Passion is a very individual thing after all.

So, despite my freaky control issues and my "ordered" aesthetic, I also happen to be a big process junkie, another factoid I repeat endlessly on this here green bloggidy, blog, blog. Process junkie girl, devious to the core, decided to give my inner anal retentive designer the slip, throw caution to the wind and signed me up for Colleen Davis' Embellishments class at the Knit and Crochet Show.

Armed with loads of leftover yarn or just stuff I bought while apparently suffering from a distinct loss of good taste (yes, we all know taste is a VERY relative thing with me) and my beloved Denise needles (really, I love these...use them constantly) I was prepared to freeform away! Seriously, upon stepping foot into the classroom I was scrumbling with Ms. Davis at a pace that made my head spin.

Within an hour and some change I had completed a hairy flower...



A hairy planet-like thingamabob...



A hairy rainbow...



And a purty green leaf edged in crocheted crab stitch (love that)...



I had fun!

Okay, I wouldn't dare use any of the hairy motifs I made for anything other than fond reflections of a scrumbling experience well done, but I did come away from the class with a distinct feeling that I would eventually break free of my anal retentive fundamentals and work plan-free.

Enter, LadyLinoleum's version of freeform...


That 70's Bacon

Yep, that'd be freeform pork strip-age!

Freeform pork strip-age crocheted using a teeny tiny little hook and beautifully shiny DMC perle cotton thread.


Mmmmm...Microwave Bacon

By Joe I think she's got it!


Barbie Dream House Breakfast Strip

No pattern.


SizzleLean

No real plan.


SizzleLean: The Sequel

And no publishing deadline!

Wooo Hoo!

Just you wait and see what I'll be scrumbling next...