Exciting Projects
I have to say that I have a bit of a problem with today’s post. The thing that I have spent all week working on is something that I would dearly love to share with you but for reasons out of my control I am unable to…yet.
At first I didn’t think that I would be able to manage a post for Handmade Monday at all this week which saddened me greatly. Then I remembered that I would be doing something on Saturday that would mean I would have something to show that had been made by me! YAY
There is a group of very lovely ladies from the Cams City WI that are meeting up once a month to do a very exciting crochet project. The idea is that during October as part of the Cambridge University Annual Festival of Ideas we shall be displaying some crochet at the Botanical gardens in Cambridge. Last month we met and some learnt how to crochet, some learnt how to read patterns and some practised making leaf shapes. This month was all about lichen. Yes really – we were having a go at making our own interpretations of lichen.
For anyone unsure of what lichen is, it is a plant consisting of a fungus and photosynthetic partner growing together in a symbiotic relationship. A perfect symbol of the project as we are working together to create something together.
The idea is that it will be displayed in the alpine glass house, covering the rocks that are the home for the many species of plants that are growing there. How very exciting. Although it seems to be a bit daunting. Just look at all those bare rocks!
The aim of yesterday was to get everyone comfortable with working on the patterns that Joanne Scrace had devised in the hope that we would be able to teach the Cams City WI as a whole at the next meeting (gulp!) We will certainly need all the hands we can get!Here are some examples of the patterns:
The next phase will be a bit more free-form I believe. I am really enjoying these little meetings. The group is very friendly and it is lovely to see people improving on their skills. I am very impressed with the dedication many are showing – working at home to improve their skills further. I am very proud to be part of the group.
For now however I am popping over to Handmade Harbour to see what everyone else has been up to this week. It’s one of the highlights of my week 
P.S: If any of you know someone who would quite like to start blogging but are unsure where to start I have started a new series where I share all the things that I have learnt over the past year in an attempt to help. I am aiming to post these up on a Wednesday. (Sorry for the shameless self plugging but I am simply keen to help people start their journey in the wonderful land of bloggers. )
- Posted in: Knitting and crochet
- Tagged: Cambridge, Cambridge University, Cams city WI, Crochet, Handmade harbour, Handmade Monday, Joanne Scrace, Lichen
Can’t wait to hear about the mystery project. In the meantime, those lichen (lichens?) look very realistic!
Have a great week,
Alison x
Thanks. Hope you have a good week too.
Love the idea of the lichen project. They can be very beautiful, in an understated sort of way.
I agree and very much over looked!
Wow, the project looks really exciting! Good luck with the teaching, I’m sure it will be exciting and fun x
Thank you
The teaching will be interesting if nothing else.
This all sounds very exciting! There was a woolly (knitted I think) under the sea exhibition in Sheffield last year which was much admired, though we weren’t allowed to take photos. Lots of luck with yours! x
Oo I hope we can produce something that is admired!
What an unusual project. I guess you could add in textures from stitches and different yarns too. Do show us your finished project – and the other one that we can’t see today!
I certainly will – thanks for showing an interest.
This sounds very intriguing I look forward to seeing the finished results
Thank you. xx
I’m so excited about our project! You are right, it is such a lovely group and I really look forward to it as I find it a very relaxing morning.
It is so nice to do something different!
That’s nice to have a group you can enjoy working with and a very interesting crochet project too! x
Absolutely – and we are only in month 2 – long way to go which is nice.
What a lovely opportunity, I would love to be involved with something like this down our neck of the woods
Maybe you need to be the instigator. You would enjoy it and be very good at it.
How exciting! Now I am working in Cambridge I will even be able to go and see the exhibition. Please post when the work is displayed.
Ooo will do
Oooh this project sounds like great fun! How lovely to be doing something so out of the ordinary and in good company too
I love the greens you’re using, they’re such lovely natural tones x
Not only are they natural tones but they are also plant based – linen, cotton, bamboo etc! The theme is taken right the way through!
WOW, how exciting….can’t wait to see more!
Looking forward to reading more of everything! Have a good week, Jo x
Thanks – and you. xx
I know there was an exhibition of such crochet/knitting in Trinity College Dublin a couple of years ago, the depicted the coral reef.Didn`t get to see it, but it`s a fabulous idea.
Wow – I bet that was amazing – may try to see if I can find photos of that online. Thanks for sharing
Sounds like a great idea.Look forward to seeing the finished project.
So am I!!!
I love the idea of the lichen and the project, can’t wait to see it finished. Lichen is such fascinating stuff, but we never really look at it do we? Good luck.
No we don’t but we should!
What a great place to visit for inspiration, can’t wait to see the finished result!
Not thought of it like that but you are right – inspirational it is!
Ohhh what a fab creation/installation it will be! I’m just debating joining my local WI so it’s nice to see the crafty efforts of another group. Simmi x
Our WI is a far cry from the traditional WI but you should go and have a look and see what your local is like.
Great makes this week. Hope your teaching goes well – it can be great fun and very rewarding. Hope you have a good week.
Jill
Christmas Pie Crafts
Thank you – and you
You’ll have to post a photo of the finished lichens as I bet they’ll look stunning.
Good luck with your blogging project.
Thank you – I will post a photograph I promise
What an exciting project to be working on – can’t wait to see photos of the finished display
Thank you
Wow what an interesting project. I can’t wait to see how the finished display looks. Have a lovely week.
Ali x
Thank you
I’m a botanist by background and i think Lichens are cool (sad, i know!). And i love your interpretation
How interesting! Lichens are very interetsing – they create such amazing shapes.
I live lichen – sounds like a fascinating project.
Lichen is something most people don’t even notice!
Look forward to seeing those rocks covered with your handiwork!!
Have a good week! x
Lets hope we can manage it!
Really quirky interesting project- nice to do something challenging and different
That is why I signed up!
What an interesting idea! Can’t wait to see how the lichens turn out.
Only time will tell!!
I will be visiting often to see how this project evolves
Bless you, thanks
Can’t wait to see what those rocks will look like when the project is finished
No nor me!!