Crochet Cuisine

Kate Jenkins's fabulous crochet art!

Crochet Pears

Rack of crochet toast

There's no doubting that fashions have revolved and crochet is a hot craft once again! Perhaps it's a make do and mend philosophy echoing the ongoing straitened economy, perhaps there's an increased trend of valuing the quirky and handmade above more commercial gifts. Possibly, its more to do with cyclical movements in crafts and it's time to plunder this one again. Indeed, my attempts to master crochet and the invariably wonky results certainly seem to make my mum smile when compared with the brown waistcoats she used to produce back in the '70s which, despite dating badly and being fairly disturbing to modern tastes, are undeniably accomplished. I have no such ambitions to produce quirky clothing however on-trend, I shall stick to small items that can be created cosily in front of the tv with two cats 'helping' me. Although small doesn't always mean beautiful, mangled stitches can show up glaringly on little things, but generally it's hugely satisfying to be able to craft a crochet pear while catching up with the Sopranos (insert your own favourite fruit & programme combo here). Don't try this watching 'Sherlock' though, much confusion re the plot and a botched crochet chocolate biscuit will be the results. 

Apple pattern from 'Tasty Crochet'

 Happily, there are lots of people crafting marvellous crochet foods at the moment. The USA definitely seems to lead the field in this and I find a lot of foodie patterns on etsy and ebay (usually available as a pdf pattern emailed to you) are by Americans. A fab book I heartily recommend is 'Tasty Crochet- A Pantry Full of Patterns for 33 Yummy Treats' by Rose Langlitz.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tasty-Crochet-Pantry-Patterns-Treats/dp/1600613128/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330619213&sr=1-1

 

Choc chip cookies from 'Tasty Crochet'

I find the instructions clear, consistent and perfect for a new crocheter impatient to get on and make something! The terminology is American though so the stitches all have different names from UK ones. I'm slowly working my way through the super-cute treats, but have come unstuck at the sushi rolls as I've not yet managed to decipher how to do the right stitch...



Magazines abound with crochet food at the moment especially Mrs Treaton favourite, Molly Makes which devoted the cover of issue 5 last year to crocheted carrots and peas (and featured instructions inside) made by the talented Cara Medus (caramedus.com). Much excitement was also generated by a piece in Making magazine on the work of knitting and crochet guru Kate Jenkins who makes brilliant crochet pieces full of humour such as a plateful of fish and chips, an amusing can of worms complete with escaping pink worms, and cute piggies bursting out of a pork pie. See pic at the top!

http://www.cardigan.ltd.uk/kate-jenkins.php

Another keen supporter of crochet food is the consistently inventive Bead Shop Scotland who have recently opened a Wool Shop in Haddington and are producing all manner of edible treats (they've been making & selling mouthwatering polymer clay sweets and grocery goods beads for ages now, perhaps a subject of a future post) in crochet form. http://shop.beadshopscotland.co.uk/stitch--kitsch-vintage-kits-836-c.asp 

I'm off to a crochet and knitting workshop there soon, am looking forwards to finding just why my creations always have dodgy bits especially in the reducing and  finishing stages!