Go Crochet

Ellen Gormley is a local professional crochet designer whose work has been featured in numerous magazines.  Her business, GO Crochet, has been a five-year success and continues to grow in recognition.  In addition to her fiber artistry, she also enjoys photography and spending time with her family.

MAM: At what age did you learn crochet and how was the learning experience for you?

EG:  I don’t remember learning.  My great-aunt lived next door to us and she was an avid doily maker.  At some point my Mom learned, probably from my aunt.  I do remember that one of my earliest projects was a 3-D version of a Rubik’s cube that I made out of granny squares assembled together.  I was around 10.

MAM:  Do you recall any specific early learning challenges?

EG:  I picked up crochet again in college and absorbed all the books from the craft store I could find. I once got ¾ through with a king sized blanket when I realized that I had been doing a stitch wrong the whole time.  I just continued on the wrong-way in order to be consistent and did it correctly from then on.  Probably I was the only one who would notice!

MAM:  I understand that even with your advanced skillset, certain designs can still present challenges. 

EG:  At one point, I decided that I was going to design a crochet bikini.  I researched yarns and swatched them all, wetting them down and trying to learn how they worked.  I finally chose one and made the bikini.  Somewhere along the way, I thought that I’d better “test” the bikini out to see what would happen when it got wet.  Luckily, I was smart enough to wear it in the shower instead of out in public because the weight of the water on the yarn caused some seriously droopy drawers that would have left me quite exposed if I had conducted my “test” at the neighborhood pool!  So, now I know, it’s really more of a “sunbathing” suit rather than a “swim suit”.

MAM:  What prompted you to explore knitting as well?

EG:  I love yarn!  I love feeling competent and I would like to be proficient in knitting as well.  There are so many beautiful knit projects being produced.  I find that knitting is relaxing when I need a break from crochet.

MAM:  What suggestions can you offer to someone who is starting to learn the art of crochet?

EG:  When starting to learn to crochet... I recommend that people do a beginning lesson of like 30 minutes, then do about 5-10 minutes everyday taking care to stop before getting frustrated.  Crochet in wool first, that way if it's terrible, you can felt it in the washing machine and all is not lost!  You'll still have a usable project (coaster, bag, hot pad for the kitchen...)  Early first projects make great "blankies" for animals at shelters.  Be easy with yourself, it's hard to teach your hands to do a new skill.  Crochet is very forgiving, mistakes are part of the process.  Use a light to medium color smooth yarn when beginning and a larger hook.  Avoid dark colors that are hard to see or novelty/fuzzy yarns that are hard to find the stitches!

MAM:  What advice do you have for someone who's interested in pursuing crochet professionally?

EG:  If someone wants to pursue a crochet career, they need to join the Crochet Guild of America at www.Crochet.org and see what’s happening in the crochet industry.  I think reading my blog and the blogs of other designers is helpful in learning what the day-to-day challenges and benefits are to a career in crochet. 

MAM:   Please share details about your new book deal and how the process is going.

EG:  The book is with Krause/F+W Publishing and is scheduled for release in Spring of 2011.  We have been doing a careful job to incorporate great colors and exciting stitch combinations that will be fun for beginners and advanced crocheters alike.  There are “sneak peeks” sprinkled on my blog from time to time.

For more on Ellen:
Ellen and her designs will be featured on PBS' show, "Knit and Crochet Now sometime during this 3rd season beginning in January 2010.  
http://www.ravelry.com/people/GoCrochet

For more on the art of crochet:
www.crochet.org
www.southwestohiocrochetguild.net