Calling all creative crocheters and knitters

Why flower power, and why freeform?

It will be 50 years this coming November since the term 'Flower Power' was first coined in Berkeley, California, and used as a passive resistance slogan for non-violent protest against the Vietnam War.  By the 'summer of love' a few years later, the movement had spread; the term 'flower child' was synonymous with 'hippie', and a counterculture had sprung up embracing psychedelic music and art.  This art style is often recognizable from its simple, graphic, brightly coloured, poster-like designs; and as many flower children sought a return to basics and simple living, crafts had a resurgence, and a distinctive style of no-rules crochet sprang up as a small part of the hippie, grass roots ethos.

Why Sydney?

Fibrefest will be a new show for Sydney, but similar shows have been mounted in other Australian cities, and thousands of keen textile enthusiasts always attend.  The displays at these events are always innovative and exciting.  I have not only exhibited my own work at shows such as this one, but over the years I have also mounted a number of other joint displays, and they are always very well received.

How do I join?

You can be a part of this latest cooperative work by crocheting or knitting a bright and colourful flower motif (or a rainbow, or a peace symbol, or a heart, or graphic '60s-style sun or shooting star...or by creating a whole psychedelic scrumble) and then mailing it to me by March 8.  I will arrange everything that is received into a single cohesive design, and then I will join it all together into a huge wall-hanging. 

So unfortunately you won't get your contribution back, but as each piece is received I will document it here on this blog, and I will list everyone's name and location next to the artwork when is displayed.  The completed piece will be available for further exhibitions after the Sydney show.

So, the knitty gritty:

The bigger the better for any individual motifs, and you can certainly use a pattern if need be, but even if you haven't freeformed before it would be great if you could try to change the pattern slightly.  Don't panic if it doesn't turn out quite as you expected...after all, psychedelic images were often somewhat lopsided and misshapen, and I'm sure I will be able to work my magic to fit your piece into the whole.

There are no real rules, and I will aim to use all contributions, but note that I would prefer it if you didn't make your pieces too dense (I don't want the finished piece to end up weighing an absolute ton, so light or somewhat lacy is good), and it would definitely be best for the overall look of the finished work if you choose your colour palette from the brightest yarns you have available.

There is just one thing to keep in mind, though, if you are mailing from overseas: please don't incorporate any bits of untreated wood, or seeds, or fur, or feathers into your piece.  Our quarantine rules are very strict, and if anything looks too natural or untreated, then your piece probably won't make it through.  So if it doubt, leave it out.

Send your flowers etc to:

Prudence Mapstone
P O Box 5242
Daisy Hill,  Qld.,  4127
Australia

Mailing deadline for all contributions is March 8, 2015.