If you are discovering freeform crochet, I am so excited for you!! Freeform crochet changed my life and set me on a new creative path. Let's talk about it!
Here's what's ahead in this article:
What is Freeform Crochet - exactly
If you're like me, you love crochet. But you're also the type who breaks rules. Not because you necessarily want to, but because sometimes you just see a way to do something that works better for you. There's a home for you too, in Freeform Crochet.
Freeform crochet is typically created by making separate smaller designs called "scrumbles" and piecing them together. You can also create freeform as a single design without scrumbling together. The end result is usually a beautifully organic, textured textile. Whether you scrumble or not, the point is that no pattern exists and the end result is visual fiber art, not a functional item.
When existing in the crochet realm, it is important to be aware of the difference between Freeform Crochet and Freestyle Crochet. If the item you're making becomes a functional, usable thing in the end, it's Freestyle. Mixing up or ignoring the sub categories of crochet is as cringe-worthy to me as somebody mixing up crochet and knitting terminology.
Ok so why fuss over the difference between Freeform and Freestyle Crochet?
The extremely important distinction between Freeform and Freestyle is that Freestyle design is still guided by principles (RULES, if you will) of design and construction for the item you're making. This changes the way you design and the end look. It's not a bad thing, it's just different. That's what makes freeform crochet so special, it cannot be replicated and you could not possibly make a pattern for a true freeform piece.
Freestyle design is guided by principles (rules, if you will) of design and construction for the item you're making.
Freeform crochet is visual art. Freestyle crochet and Conventional Crochet share a quality of function and end use.
When your freeform crochet scrumble becomes a wearable or usable thing, it's officially Freestyle. Here's a pic of a freestyle crochet bag I made from a freeform motif.
If you make a sweater, bag, plant holder or anything functional from your freeform pieces, it becomes freestyle crochet.
Let's take one more step - into Conventional Crochet
If you make a pattern from a design you freestyled, your craft suddenly crosses over to conventional crochet. It might be inspired by your freeform crochet, but it is 100% conventional crochet if you have made a pattern that can be replicated. Super interesting, right?
When you make a pattern, your mind enters a state of awareness for making something in a way that can be easily communicated and replicated. That changes the way things look. Again, it's not a bad thing, just different and special in it's own right for Conventional Crochet. Pattern reading and writing are important, super challenging skills to have.
We can all play together
Like anything in life, it's best to keep an intersectional vibe with an "and/also" mindset, rather than "or/either" school of thought. We can all play together. Usually, people who freeform are avid freestylers and conventional crocheters as well. If you're like me, you also knit and have tried other forms of fiber art. Everyone has their fiber art preferences and is welcome to dabble as they please. We're all part of a unique yarn community and there's room for everyone. The fun part is to recognize and honor the unique differences between us that make each technique so unique.
Thanks for reading. Drop a comment on your thoughts about the differences between all the types of crochet.
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