Patterns Inspire Practice
Parallel to my dedication to writing in the last few years, I have developed a hobby (or maybe an obsession) with crochet. I am fascinated by the process of creating three-dimensional sculptural forms with only a yarn and a hook.
I’ve shared my octopus creations here before and below are a few others: a frog, an armadillo, a squirrel, and a puffin.
For each of these, I begin with a pattern. The pattern is written by the original creator and allows me to follow their process of making and achieve a similar result.
Each one I create is a journey of practicing stitches, learning new skills, and noticing how stitches combine to create various shapes and details. I am learning by doing and increasing my skill and vocabulary for crochet with each project.
And yet, I sometimes wonder if this following of patterns really “counts” as creative practice. Am I creating something new if I’m following someone else’s design? (The critters would argue they ARE new, newly arrived to fill my studio with color, attitude and presence.)
Practice following a pattern, score, script, or guide created by another is central to many creative practices. I think of playing music, sewing, and acting from a script.
In sewing and crochet, the person following the pattern makes choices about fabric, yarn, and color, as well as size and and any other specifications for the intended user.
With music, different musicians and groups bring a unique sound to their playing that converses with the score as written by the composer.
In following a script, actors bring a unique style and interpretation of a characters’ words, expression and movement to the stage.
Following and Fluency
Generally, it seems the more music we play or the more things we create, the more we start to learn the language of the pattern makers and to participate more fluently in the practice. It becomes more a conversation, rather than just a following.
It has been my experience recently that this fluency leads to an interest and courage to try out my own patterns. Below are two bunnies I created from a pattern I designed using strategies I learned from other animal patterns I followed.
The garland below is one I designed inspired by a pattern I bought. Creating the first one helped me to see how the garland’s pop-up structure was constructed and to be able to use this in creating my own design.
I’m slowly discovering that in addition to its meditative and self-soothing qualities, crochet and the patterns I follow are helping me to learn things about how following helps support practice.
I would love to hear from you too.
Can you think of a time that following patterns, a script, or score created by another helped inspire your creative practice?
Do you have any experience writing out instructions for another to follow to make something you have made or perform something you performed?
Recognizing Patterns in Our Surroundings
A friend sent me this lovely TED talk by Ingrid Fetell Lee about the connection between aesthetics, design, and joy. I am fascinated by the speakers’ noticings and intrigued by the way she studies and identifies patterns in what elements are included in spaces where we find joy.
Where Joy Hides and How to Find It
After watching the video, I was reminded how much joy I find in patterns involving color and especially color wheels.
Thank you for reading and being a part of creative community through this newsletter.
With a grateful heart,
Kathryn
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