Younger Generations and Knit & Crochet
There is a current push to “take-back” crochet and knitting among younger designers. Some designers feel that capturing the “teens and twenty-something’s” attention is crucial to knitting, crochet and even yarn’s future.
- Crochet Me!
Crochet Me! author Kim Werker stated in an interview with Interweave Crochet that crochet can be edgy and hip, but many young people don’t know that. She has even helped start a crochet “revolution,” and lacy items are an important part of it.
- Romantic Hand Knits
Author Annie Modesitt, is well known for her feminine knit designs, and believes that knits should present exquisite drape and figure-hugging silhouettes to show off a woman’s natural curves. Many younger women are drawn to her style. Since lace is so present in Modesitt’s projects, introducing them to younger women will help excite them about knit and crochet.
- Double Stitch Knits
Erika and Monika Simmons, vibrant sisters from Chicago released their book, Double Stitch: Designs for the Crochet Fashionista, just last month. The book is packed with trendy, stylish crochet patterns, almost all of which are openwork. Twenty-something’s rave about the book, the patterns, and the designers.
Making Lace
One way to help members of Gen X and younger take to the fiber arts is to introduce them to lace. Lace is gorgeous, and can be made in myriad of ways.
Lace fabric is basically defined as openwork; that is, a lacy item will have lots of holes or space. The trick to this is to use fine yarn and larger needles, relative to the thickness of the yarn.
Lacy Ideas
Whole projects can be made out of lace, or lace can be used as trim. Skirts, wraps, and gloves are all great items for younger crowds to make and wear.
- Skirts Skirts use lace in a couple of different ways. A solid skirt looks terrific with a lacy hem. The skirt can be store-bought or made by hand; either way, a lace trim at the hem alters the look.
The other option for skirts is the entire skirt can be made of lace; use a slip underneath this type of skirt for coverage. A slip in a contrasting color will be more dramatic than the use of a slip in a color that blends in with the skirt’s color. This type of skirt can be quite versatile since changing the slip changes the entire look of the skirt.
- Wraps Wraps made of lace are timeless and elegant. Cobweb lace is absolutely stunning when made into a wrap. And again, a solid wrap with lace trim can be very nice.
- Gloves Gloves look gorgeous in full lace or with trim around the edges. Lace gloves are perfect for wedding parties or formal affairs.
Younger knitters and crocheters certainly want their brand new lacy items to last. It’s important that they know that these delicate items do require special care.
Be sure to use wool wash detergent if appropriate. Be especially careful with drying these items. They typically do not hold up well in the dryer. Instead, air dry them and use lace blocking wires to stretch the lace out to dry.
Renee Blixt - Renée Blixt holds an MBA and MHRM, and is a member of various yarn Guilds. She teaches business courses, crochet, knitting, and ...
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