Yesterday I was reading kimmi’s post Hooked on Hooks at Inkeeart and she mentioned in her comments that she was hoping to do some freeform crochet in the future. This inspired me to get out my Freeform Elephant Bag. (Actually I lie, it is always with me but I have become so used to its presence I no longer notice it.)

This bag started out life as 2 recyclable supermarket bags which I sewed together to create a good sized bag to carry my crochet projects around in. And then I decorated it in freeform crochet. (And with elephants because they are super cool)

So what is freeform all about anyway? It’s a lot like doodling only with yarn.

Firstly there is no pattern. You decide what you want to make – a scarf is a good place for a beginner. Use a hook about 3mm – 4.5mm and a pile of different yarns, a LOT of different yarns, different colours, left overs, fancy bits, special threads, old favourites, different thicknesses, what ever you like, although it is best to use colours that go well together.

You can start by making little pieces of crochet (and/or  knitting) with your yarns – you can do little plain bits, different shapes and sizes, some embellishments if you want to get fancy, bits that are thick or thin, some with holes if you like, whatever you want.

Then you arrange them in different shapes and sizes next to each other and when you like how they look, you crochet or sew them together in the shape of the larger item that you are making.

These are my two favourite freeform crochet artists and if you are interested in freeform, you might want to check them out.

Prudence Mapstone at  http://www.knotjustknitting.com/ Prudence also runs a lot of classes to teach people freeform.

Myra Woods at http://myrawood.com/ is the first artist I came across who did freeform lace.