Hey everyone, I’m Sam, a crochet designer and the proud owner of Jack’s Yarn. I’m thrilled to kick off a video series on YouTube, where I’ll be sharing my adventure as I attempt to create a free-form crochet cat portrait for an upcoming Arts Festival in May. This marks my first time entering such an event and my maiden voyage into the world of free-form crochet. I’m excited to document every step of this journey and bring you along for the ride.
Getting Started
Entering the Arts Festival sparked a mix of excitement and nerves for me. While I’m confident in my crochet skills, venturing into the realm of art felt like uncharted territory. Inspired by my beloved cat Jack, who passed away in 2022, I decided to create a piece in his honor. But bridging the gap between designing patterns and creating art presented a unique challenge.
Choosing the Image
After some research, I settled on striking a balance between photo-realism and abstraction for my portrait of Jack. Using technology, I transformed a favorite photo of him into a cartoonified version, which will serve as my reference throughout the project. If you want to see the process, be sure to check out the video on my YouTube channel.
Selecting Yarn
The next hurdle was selecting the perfect yarn colors to capture Jack’s unique features. I opted for Stylecraft double knit yarn and meticulously chose samples of various shades to ensure accuracy in portraying his fur and characteristics. It was a daunting task, but one that I knew was crucial for the success of the project.
Making a Start
With my materials in hand, I dove into the project, starting with the eyes and nose, as advised by fellow crochet artists in a wonderful Facebook group. I experimented with incorporating both structured and free-form elements into my work, aiming to achieve a delicate balance between realism and artistic expression. You can follow along with my progress in the video series on my YouTube channel.
Looking Ahead
As I continue working on my project, I’m exploring different mounting and display options for the finished piece. My goal is to create a visually stunning presentation for the Arts Festival. Despite the uncertainties and challenges ahead, I’m approaching this new creative adventure with enthusiasm and a willingness to experiment. And I’d love for you to be a part of it!
Join me on this exciting journey into the world of free-form crochet as I bring my vision to life, one stitch at a time. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to follow along with the video series and share your own experiences and insights along the way. Together, let’s embark on this creative adventure and see where it takes us.
Jack's Yarn Crochet Designs 