CHUNKY CROCHET SLOPPY JOE

...This is a work in progress....Crochet using chunky and D.K yarn in cotton and unusually for me some Acrylic. I am working on staple pieces to embellish with my Harajuko style dolls heads for the Leeds Fashion show 2009. The sampling has seen use of crochet ribs and stocking stitch knit using variable needle sizes.

... I found how to create mock cable in crochet by use of bobbles and relief crochet chain stitch for the lower top.

The upper egding makes use of a overturn shawl collar; which again has crochet rib and mock cable. I am happy with the textures created, something a little different for me from my delicate knits, but need to work on the silhouette now....to be continued!

....I will be launching my designs at the forth coming Twisted Thread, Knit & stitch shows 2009. http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/exhibitions/listExhibitions.aspx

...IN A COUNTRY GARDEN-new collection

One of my many ongoing projects! Finished title 'In an English Country Garden...' A collection inspired by the lovely flowers of England and the way the images of cells of the body can often mimick flower style. Crochet plays a huge part in this collection with Lily, Rose, Poppy, Daisy, Bluebells (my favourite flower along with Poppies) and Foxgloves all having a say.


...I am working on this project to have finished A3 size samples and 1-2 finished garments for my launch at The Knit and Stitch Show at Alexandar Palace, London in October. But its hard going as I am also working on 3 other collections to have samples made for this. Including Bridal, Vintage (inspired by iconic figures) and Harajuko dolls (Younger funkier collection, which if I have enough time! will take part in the Leeds Fashion Show 2009). So far at least on this 'In a Country Garden...' collection I have all the 9 design boards finished and am working on the A3 swatches.

...The collection includes use of curved seams and natural fibres, with silk, bamboo and milk yarn crochet details.

...This image shows my workings so far on Poppies, Roses, Daisy and Bluebells, all in crochet in Sirdar Juicy bamboo on a 3.5 hook.

...Image depicts mood board for the collection.

....I will be launching my designs at the forth coming Twisted Thread, Knit & stitch shows 2009. http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/exhibitions/listExhibitions.aspx

'AMALGAMATION'

...This dress was an amalgamation of new and previous ideas between my friend Iza and myself. It uses Polish Linen cut on the bias and huge mohair (Charity shop buy a few years ago, and been sitting in a box asking to be used ever since) crochet Irish roses, mixed with net and recycled feathers...

...it was difficult to make the roses big enough to have textural impact without being too heavy, not sure if this was achieved. As one project very often leads to another, I am now working on new items based on this idea.

The dress was called 'Monet' because it reminded me of his famous poppy painting. (A painting I grew up with on my mums wall, which I looked into everyday to find new things)...

Overall an altogether cosmopolitan dress! with Yorkshire, Polish and Irish connections in its making. Enquiries for purchase of this item or similar can be made through http://www.ustrendy.com/angel-hattons-quirky-little-knits/

....I will be launching my designs at the forth coming Twisted Thread, Knit & stitch shows 2009.http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/exhibitions/listExhibitions.aspx

LEEDS FASHION SHOW 2008

Next steps!...After graduation I became involved with Leeds fashion Show and showed an 'amalgamated' collection with my friend and peer Iza Antczak under the name Antczak&Hatton....

...It was amazing to see how easy it was to combine two previous collections together with the help of some crochet!...

...we mixed her whites with my flesh and navy colours to create a fresh new collection...

.... at the show we created our first showcase stall which featured knit and crochet samples and new items which were a collaboration ( to be seen on next post)....I am in liason with the show organisers to show at Leeds Fashion show 09 with an individual collection under the name of Angel Hatton's Quirky Little Knits, this would involve a younger client profile and closer to off the peg designs...

....I will be launching my designs at the forth coming Twisted Thread, Knit & stitch shows 2009.http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/exhibitions/listExhibitions.aspx

REDISCOVERED PHOTOGRAPHY

After trying to do some house keeping on my computer images I came across these four photographs which I took in Spain several years ago...

...I often use close-ups of everyday things which most people do not notice are there...

...I then use these as inspiration for my hand knit and crochet patterns. This is done by covering the image with tracing paper and sketching using graphic type lines over the most interesting parts; these lines are then transfered either directly into sampling or onto graph paper to logically and mathematically work out the stitch counts...

...These images of bark and grass were taken at the Gaudi park, Barcelona, and were used as stripes and bobbles with colour blending. Other photographs used useing this method were taken at Ephesus, Turkey. This was used in sampling for 'The String vest' which can be seen in an earlier post.

....I will be launching my designs at the forth coming Twisted Thread, Knit & stitch shows 2009.http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/exhibitions/listExhibitions.aspx