Tapestry Crochet

While some people are inspired by beading, cross stitch, and filet crochet patterns, my inspiration lies elsewhere. As an art historian, I’m exposed to art and crafts from around the world and am always on the lookout for patterns when traveling and visiting museums. I used to sketch motifs on scraps of paper, but now I photograph them. Even when there’s not enough light for a great image (museums don’t allow flash), the photos are usually good enough to help me remember the pattern. The great thing about digital photography is that the image is visible right away, which allows me to retake it, when necessary.

I never copy a pattern exactly as I find it – not only because of copyright issues, but also out of respect for the original designer.

This tapestry crocheted bag from Aguacatan, Guatemala dates to 1980.

It’s easy to see how it inspired my Horse Around Purse.

I hit the pattern jackpot in southern Spain a few years ago. Everywhere I looked: up, down, inside and outside; all were embellished with patterns left by the Romans, Muslims, then Spanish royalty. I took thousands of photographs of everything – including the mosaics.

Oh, my gosh! These 14th century tiles in the Alcazar (Royal Palace) in Seville, Spain, have a lot of tapestry crochet motif potential.

Can you see how the floor tiles inspired the motif on the Zig Zag Big Bag from my Bead & Felted Tapestry Crochet book?

One of the wall motifs also decorates the restored pebble walkway at the Alcazar in Seville.

Can you see how it also inspired the pattern on my Beaded Tapestry Crochet Purse in 100 Purses to Knit and Crochet?

A fabulous restored pebble walkway at the Alhambra, Granada, Spain . . .

. . .inspired the motif on my Tapestry Laptop Bag pattern from Crochet World, June, 2007.

There are a few things to consider when designing tapestry crochet motifs in the round. Of course, contrasting colors and horizontal stripes always work well. But did you realize that each single crochet stitch lays slightly to the side of the one underneath, creating diagonal lines when placed one over the other?

The stitches on the Basket and on Stripe Change Purse* were placed one over the other, resulting in diagonal lines to the right because they were crocheted right-handed. The stitches on the other part of the change purse were placed to the left of the underlying stitches, creating diagonals in the opposite direction.

A similar tendency is seen in this 5,000 year old Sumerian cone mosiac from Uruk at the Metropolitan Museum in NY.

Now you know why so many of my motifs incorporate horizontal and diagonal lines. Although curves are awkward, they are not impossible. Take a look, for example, at the heart below, which is composed of diagonals on the bottom and two attempted semi-circles on top.

The graph on the left shows how the pattern looks when tapestry crocheted. The graph on the right is easier to follow, though.

These baskets were done following the above graphs. The free pattern is on pages 10 & 11 of Lifestyles and you can see them being crocheted on YouTube.

For more about tapestry crochet design and tapestry crochet graph paper, please take a look at my free YouTube Design video, page 11 of Creative Living, and my Tapestry Crochet and More Tapestry Crochet books. I look forward to seeing YOUR designs!

 *project and instructions in Bead & Felted Tapestry Crochet

So many choices – so little time! Not counting the myriad examples available for purchase, there are numerous crocheted options, too. For a quick look at my strap and handle adventures, I’ll start at the beginning. Long ago, in a far off land, Guatemalan tapestry crocheted bags with woven straps introduced me to the craft.

These bags from Guatemala date to the late 1970’s.

In the early 1980’s I appropriated the flat rectangular format, designed my own motif, and crocheted the strap. Most of my early bags followed the same formula. To this day I still I crochet a long chain (that is still attached to the purse), reattach it, then crochet around it and the rim (much stronger than crocheting back and forth across the width – and no sewing required).

My Rectangular Shoulder Bag** with a detail of the crocheted strap.

Large bags usually require the support of more than one handle.

This felted Zig-Zag Big Bag* is the largest purse I ever tapestry crocheted. A detail of the handle (before felting) shows the stitches.

I’ve had a lot of fun over the years with straps and handles. Putting it or them . . .

. . . to one side – like on this Kitty Bag . . .

. . . across the middle – like on this
bead tapestry crochet Rasta Bag . . .

. . . crisscrossed – like on this Tapestry Crochet Purse.

My mother was very concerned that an open purse would encourage pickpockets, so I crocheted hers with a flap – my very first one. Necessity was not only the mother of invention, but in this case, the mother of the inventor/designer.

Eventually, I began to demand more of my straps and handles. Why couldn’t they multi-task? I realized that with a little coaxing, they could not only support the bag, but could also help protect the contents – no flap required!

My first attempt involved sliding the strap through a slot in the rim. Several of my purses feature this unique closure.

Cat’s Meow Purses** and strap detail.

Then I designed a handle that slid through two slots for a different look. This is my favorite solution – at least for now.

Squares Bag* with a detail of the strap before felting.

For even more Purse-in-all security . . .

This multi-tasker, the Awareness Purse*, carries a message, and supports and secures, with style!

Still strapped – or can you handle it now?  (Sorry, but I inherited the “corny” gene from my Dad.)

My next post will focus on motif inspiration and design.

*project and instructions in Bead & Felted Tapestry Crochet
**project and instructions in More Tapestry Crochet