STEPHANIE LAU’S JOURNAL
Designer and blogger Stephanie Lau of All About Ami got a taste for hooking practical makes over the summer.
“I've been inspired to make some more cute animal home décor items!” “We create works of art that we can use every day!”
L ots of us were searching for a practical hobby when we stumbled across the wonderful world of crochet, and what a hobby we found! Not only is crocheting therapeutic with its rhythmic movements, but we also create a finished product that we can use, wear or gift. Works of art can be appreciated for their beauty as they evoke some sort of emotional response – they do not need to serve any practical function. However, with crochet, we create works of art that often do serve a practical function that can be used in everyday life – isn't that amazing? WRAP UP AND TIDY UP I've designed a multitude of crocheted wearable items, from sweaters and hats to mittens and scarves. I put them to great use during our long Canadian winters and am thankful that I can create handmade winter items for my girls as well. During the summertime, however, these bulky items get put away as the temperatures warm up and we're no longer in need of warm woolly items to wear!
Around our house you'll find lots of crocheted items that serve a very practical function that we use every day. I tend to crochet these household items during the summer months as I love adding touches of crochet to our décor. Crochet baskets are incredibly useful as they can store everything from toys and hats to socks and leftover skeins of yarn. I just adore the rustic look it gives to home interiors, and I’ve gifted a couple of baskets as housewarming gifts to friends and I know they are greatly appreciated. CUTE AND CUDDLY Another idea I’ve been loving lately is combining amigurumi with homewares. I designed my Snuggle Bunny Pillows (the pattern is on my blog) so people could add a touch of cuteness to their rooms and homes with cheery bunnies. They instantly brighten up any sofa or bed, and our own bunny pillows can be found on our daughters’ beds. My eldest daughter loves seeing it as soon as she wakes up, and she loves hugging her pillow to sleep! I’ve been inspired to make more cute animal home décor items and I’ve got some new ideas brewing.
I’ve also just crocheted my own rug using wool roving, and it was neat working with such jumbo wool and a jumbo crochet hook. I keep this rug at my bedside, so it's the first thing I step on when I get out of bed in the morning – it feels soft and is a great way to welcome the day. Crochet blankets are another functional hooky project that I can't get enough of. You can always use more throw
blankets, whether that be for cuddling on the sofa, a guest bedroom, or making blanket forts with children. I crocheted baby blankets for my daughters when I was pregnant with them, and I hope that they will cherish them for years to come in the future. More recently I crocheted a Braided Cabled Blanket as a throw blanket for our sofa, and we love cuddling up under it while watching movies! OUT AND ABOUT In addition to home items, I even have some crocheted items stashed in my handbag that I use every day. I crocheted an adorable colour-blocked coin purse a few years ago, and it’s been in my purse ever since. I love unzipping it to get my coins whenever I pay, and it’s such a wonderful feeling every time I use it knowing that I myself crocheted it and sewed the fabric lining. I also designed some beautifully textured Star Stitch Pouches that help me hold my passports and my make-up, and this project in particular has been very popular throughout all the seasons. I am hoping to design more functional everyday pieces such as purses and handbags so that we can use them on a daily basis, too.
Our beloved crochet offers so many possibilities and opportunities to learn new techniques and create finished items that we never dreamed of making. We can create practical and functional items for our home that are loved and used every day from baskets and pillows, to rugs and blankets. I’m looking forward to designing more of these items so that we can add even more crochet to our homes! See what Stephanie’s been hooking on her blog at www. allaboutami.com or on Instagram – she's @allaboutami
“Crochet offers so many possibilities.”