Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Invitation to "Dreams and Memories"



In 2014 for the exhibit as part of Riga 2014-European Culture Capital we (that is – me and my 235 helpers from all corners of Latvia, Italy, USA) created an installation White Cloud. I am inviting you to participate in continuing our collaboration by creating a new installation Dreams and Memories (working title).
For your creation to be included please crochet one or several hyperbolic/negatively curved/crenelated pieces following suggested instructions bellow. I strongly encourage you to re-use yarns from old sweaters or scarves, socks etc., could be various recycled materials such as yarn made of plastic bags or worn T-shirts, sheets and so on. In example above you can see crochet using old audio tape.  
VERY IMPORTANT! – you can choose any color for your piece but only one color in the same piece. Do not mix colors! (In some cases, different shades of the same color could be used, for example, if your material is in light blue and dark blue). Size of your piece will depend on the amount of the material you have and there is no size restrictions, preferably no less than 10 cm diameter. If you want to be creative - please be with the shape! If you want to combine knitting and crochet - that is also fine. 

This is a simplified version of crocheted hyperbolic plane. Crochet 20-30 chains, join in circle. Crochet around this circle as many single crochet stitches as you fit. This will make strong edge for the circle and will be a start for your further crochet which follows simple pattern – 2 chains to raise to the next row, then *1 double crochet in first stitch, 2 double crochet in the next*. Repeat until you get around, join with the beginning of the row. Then again 2 chains to start the next row and repeat *1 double crochet in first stitch, 2 double crochet in the next*.

If you have some ring you can crochet around (as in this example) you can start with single crochet around this ring. Otherwise you can start as in the previous example. In the next row crochet 2 single crochet in each loop. Continue for several rows and you will see how the disc will become curvier. It is about the time to make holes – one double crochet, two chain, one double crochet, two chain, etc. When the row with holes is completed, in the next row crochet two double crochet in first hole, three double crochet in the next, again two double crochet, then three double crochet…Next row – one single crochet, in the next one two single crochet – that is increase. Continue varying rows with holes, rows with double crochet and rows with single crochet. If disc is not wavy enough, do two rows with single crochet, increasing after every other stitch. You can be creative with your shape.

These hyperbolic planes are made from plastic bags and combining them you can notice the problem if there are many different colors in the same piece.

I am looking forward to seeing your creations! Thank you for your participation!