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| Arts & Crafts >> Crochet Me |
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Kim is a really fab gal. She runs a website called Crochet Me, she's published a book on crochet, she has a second crochet book on the way, and has a thing for Japanese-style crocheted stuff toys, called amigurumi. Kim took some time to answer a few questions about running Crochet Me, what she hopes to happen for the site in the future and what she's up to now. |
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Crochet Me, launched originally in Feb/04 and run by this fab gal named Kim, is sort of like Knitty for hookers. You know, hookers, those guys and gals that prefer the hook to the needle and would rather crochet than knit. Crochet Me is very different from the average crochet pattern web site, not only is it far more laid back, it's also full of hip patterns and advice. All the patterns featured are those of independent designers, with a little information on each one at the bottom of the pattern. More than a place to find new patterns, potentially a place to have your own patterns featured as well. On the site's main page, it partly describes itself as 'the online magazine for contemporary, cool, hip, fashionable crochet'. I'm just learning this myself, but this site makes me want to put more effort in to learning. |
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| Full submission guidelines can be found here, but I will briefly say that Crochet Me has an open call for patterns and tutorials and I think that's pretty rad. Some of my favorite patterns are this amazing basket, The Jute Basket, these Faux Skins Bins sort of catch alls and, Abominable Baby Slippers. The prefect testiment to the feel of the site is the Jolly Rancher skirt that appeared in the 2006 Love Special Issue. This skirt is ‘like putting on a sweater, just lower down', says designer Evan Howard in the pattern's intro, 'you can wear it over skirts or pants, depending on how weird you want to look'. Exactly the thing you're looking for, exactly the thing you'd never find in a traditional crocheting mag. There is also a pattern for a 'Coffee Hotplate Doily', I'm mentioning it not because I think this is necessarily something I'd make, but because I think it's a neat introduction to metalworking, because it's made from copper wire. | |
| Crochet Me comes out quarterly, and it has searchable archives. Each issue has a few feature articles and patterns, an editorial to direct you through the issue, and there is a blog and a forum as well. Kim is driven to create and maintain this site by a passion for the craft, the desire to change people's attitudes about it, and the interest in helping others get it going, 'Crochet is seen by many people to be limited, tacky, ugly, dated and otherwise associated with small-mindedness. Aargh! So one of my main goals with the mag is to promote crochet as versatile, beautiful, stylish, cool, funky, daring, bold. I'm also passionate about encouraging people to try new things with crochet. So many crafters paralyze themselves by thinking they're not good enough, experienced enough, or 'ready' to try new things. What's up with that? What are the terrifying consequences of screwing up when you craft?' |
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I find her enthusiasm for the craft and the site and the community in general to be inspiring. She says, 'I'm totally addicted to seeing what people create, and to being part of the infectious creativity that can come out of a bunch of people putting their heads together. There's a group of designers I'm in touch with fairly regularly, which is so much fun. But I also get random submissions from people all over the world who say, 'I just learned to crochet, and I don't know how to read a pattern or anything, but I made this cool thing and maybe you'll want to publish it.' So often, their designs blow me away. The slippers in our spring issue are like that -- the designer had only ever crocheted a couple of things before she made them.' That's what it all comes down to, infectious creativity, and a site like Crochet Me is a huge part of it. Kim's interest in creating goes beyond crochet, she also knits and (tries to) sew. 'In my mind I'm a brilliant and prolific sewer, though in reality I rarely sew anything and when I do I'm terrible at it', she says, 'I love handmade things both as a crafter and as a consumer. I love making things that are tangible, and that are instantly gratifying. My 'work' is either totally intangible 'cause it exists on the web, or it's in print, which takes months and months to produce. My 'play', on the other hand, grows every minute, right before my eyes.' I had to ask where her favorite spot to crochet is, of course, 'On the couch at my in-laws' place in Whistler, BC. They have this great, cozy condo in the mountains, and I listen to CBC radio and crochet for hours.' |
 Faux Skins Bins |
| And I really want to add that Kim is a part of the community as a consumer, too, for exactly the reasons Virus itself exists, 'As a consumer, I love to support people who are trying to support themselves by creating. I think it's entirely worthwhile to spend a few extra bucks to buy something that was made by a person, not by a machine. And I feel special when I own something that's one-of-a-kind. The ubiquity and convenience of mass production and distribution can sometimes confuse us into thinking it's terribly hard work to express ourselves uniquely. But it's not.' |
 Hotplate Doliy |
All of the articles are very well written, on things like stitch patterns for men, and keeping a crochet journal. So it was a natural leap when Kim became published, 'My first book, Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crocheting (Wiley), came out in January (2006). I wrote it with Cecily Keim, who did almost all the designing for the book. It's a comprehensive crochet tutorial, covering the basics and more advanced techniques, all illustrated with full-colour photographs. There's a chapter of patterns that are all made from rectangles, to show how many things can be made just with the basic techniques. And there's a chapter of more involved patterns that are great for adventurous beginners and more experienced crocheters. Cecily did an amazing job of making simple, straightforward patterns that also look fabulous.' And there's another one in the works too! Says Kim on the new, yet to be released book, 'This book will come out in August, and I'm planning to go on a mini book tour next fall with Shannon Okey, the author of the KnitGrrl books.' Kim's goals for Crochet Me include being the cool crochet site, and I really think she's well on the road. In the beginning, Crochet Me was Kim all on her lonesome, and now she says, 'it's too big for me to do all by myself now. Julie, our technical editor, and Jenna, our copy editor, are very much involved in everything that goes on behind the scenes. They rock my world.' Another goal is to pay closer attention to the Crochet Me community, which is growing. Says Kim, 'I want the site to spark people's creativity and imagination. I want people who feel intimidated or shy in the face of trying something new to become empowered by the amazing things their hands can create. I want indie designers to hook up with each other through their involvement with the site.' This sort of dedication and passion for independent communities, and independent crafters in general, is exactly the force needed to push forward and encourage and help the community to grow. She adds, 'Since the site launched, I've been wanting to find enough time to spearhead a charity event or series of events. It's great that I've been too busy, but I'd really like to start to prioritize that. Hey! If you're reading this and you want to help me plan a program to benefit kids, lemme know!' |
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It all comes back to the handmade item, the concept of making it yourself, with care.
Kim's Playlist
1. Neil Diamond - Kentucky Woman 2. MIDIval PunditZ - God of Love 3. Billy Idol - Cradle of Love 4. The Decemberists - The Mariner's Revenge Song 5. Kelly Joe Phelps - Beggar's Oil Crochet Me |