Well I am a bit crotchety to discover that I missed a workshop on hyperbolic crochet last Saturday with Margaret Wertheim who I have written about before. However I was delighted to see that she is coming back on March 12th 2010 to talk at Tedx Dublin 3. Aaaarrrgggghhh. It is highly unlikely that I will be in any fit state to appear in public by March 12th. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that I could still be pregnant by then. For those of you who can make it have your fingers at the ready: tickets are available from March 1st and usually sell like hotcakes. Dammit!
However all is not lost! The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef is coming to Dublin and will be on display in the Science Gallery with contributions from Irish hookers between 30 March and 28 May 2010. I should have crawled out from under my own reef by then to check it out.
I have been writing about this hyperbolic modelling using crochet since 2008 (I still haven’t created any myself. Ah life!) and like a reef it seems to have taken on a life of its own. The Sydney project are using it to draw attention to the plight of their own great barrier reef but to me it is a metaphor not only for endangered habitats and species but endangered skills and knowledge. I read a blog post recently by a crocheter I follow about who taught you to crochet. I have no recollection about how I learnt how to crochet. I think I learnt from some craft books we had at home when I was growing up. I’m not very good at it to be honest and haven’t completed a project since secondary school except for a hat here or there. Maybe the internet can save endangered skills like these? I know I get a lot of inspiration from blogs I read and find via my Google Alerts and there is certainly no shortage of instruction on sites like VideoJug. I even picked up an app for my iPhone! (this link will open iTunes).
Art & Craft:
How To Crochet A Basic Single Crochet
It’s so exciting that the crochet coral reef is coming to Ireland. I’ve been on about it to people for ages and finally they can all see it for real!
You should definitely crochet a piece for the reef. You don’t even have to be a great crocheter to make a piece of coral. Any basic stitch and it’ll get you there. And every single piece counts. That’s the beauty of the reef. When we first heard it was happening we worried there weren’t enough people to make enough coral. But then at the latest workshop there was loads of coral. Lots of people all donating small amounts really add up. So do it!
PS: Best of luck with the new baby too.
Thanks Laura! Just made my first piece! And you’re right it is easy! I think I’ll see if my mum has some odds & ends tomorrow to rustle up some more.
Hi, I love the hyperbolic reef, I’ll have to check out the one in the science gallery…
Hey Karen great to hear from you! I must rope you & your sis in too! I’m sure there’s a few odds & ends of wool floating around your family home 🙂