Amanda Spreeuw is hooked on crochet.
"I've been doing it since I was 12," says the Lynn Valley resident, now 29. Spreeuw makes infinity scarves, boot cuffs, ear warmers and a host of baby items: blankets, booties and hats. A selection of her crochet work is on display and available for sale until January in the Gift Box at CityScape Community Art Space, located at 335 Lonsdale Ave.
"It's perfect because it's right over Christmas and some of my stuff makes great Christmas presents," she says.
For the uninitiated, crochet is a handicraft in which a single needle with a small hook at the end is used to draw yarn through intertwined loops. It differs from knitting in its implements (knitting typically requires the use of two pointed needles) and the type of stitches used. Though Spreeuw has been meaning to learn how to knit, she harbours a deep affection for the hooked-needle craft her mother taught her as a child.
"I love crochet because you can do really lacy patterns that are a lot harder to achieve with knitting," she says.
Crocheting is also faster than knitting, so for someone like Spreeuw who enjoys the satisfaction of finishing lots of projects, the speed factor is a draw.
A scarf made from a bulky wool, for example, might take her two to three hours to complete, while a scarf made with a fine wool that follows an intricate pattern could take up to 10 hours.
"I like that I can do it and still interact with people. It's a lot of muscle memory," she says, explaining she often works on her crochet projects while watching hockey on TV.
Needlework crafts, such as crochet and knitting, are experiencing a revival, Spreeuw says, particularly among younger people inspired by Pinterest and the do-it-yourself movement
"I have some friends that like to knit, so we will all get together and have a 'stitch 'n bitch' night with some wine and some yarn and it's good fun." Plus, nothing compares to wearing a garment you created with your own two hands.
"There's a really great sense of pride about wearing something that you've made," Spreeuw says.
For beginners interested in trying crochet, she recommends taking a trip to the local yarn store to learn about all the different fibres available. A great starter project is a "granny square," which is the basic building block of many larger crochet projects.
In addition to the Gift Box, Spreeuw's handiwork is available at etsy.com/ca/shop/Hookedoncrochets.
