MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The 67 Blankets for Mandela event at the Mossel Bay Town Hall in May certainly put crocheting and knitting on the map, with 500 locally made blankets on display.
A week later Mossel Bay was part of a crochet marathon, held by the ATKV nationwide.
Newspaper people can also be nifty with a crochet hook, such as Esté Smit, who is part of the Group Editors online team, which manages digital content for the Mossel Bay Advertiser and the other five newspapers in the group.
Esté spoke to us about her passion for crochet.
How long have you been crocheting?
- About 13 years. I started in high school and ever since I have been learning new techniques.
Why did you choose to make children's toys?
- As part of my psychology studies, I had to volunteer at a counselling centre of the SAVF, a welfare organisation, so I started making these toys as a comfort for the children. I also occasionally do baby blankets and lovies (a sort of toy crossed with a blanket). These types of crocheted children's toys are called amigurumi.
Toys are the trend right now. This is because of the versatility of crochet. Everyone can express their creativity in a different way. I usually love bright colours and anything that screams "fun".
Which yarn do you prefer and which size crochet hook? Do you also knit?
- I love Elle yarn (it is a yarn snob thing - jokes). My favourite wool is the varied type which changes colours or velvet yarn. One can never have enough yarn. I use a 5mm crochet hook. I am not an avid knitter.
Who taught you to crochet?
- My mother taught me the basics, then I started to learn the other techniques via YouYube, Pinterest and TikTok. There are always new techniques and trends. They fascinate me. They are a creative outlet.
When I was in high school, it was considered a granny-type hobby. I love how it went mainstream on social media and each day you encounter new ways individuals are contributing to this craft. I buy magazines and books to get patterns, go on Etsy, or simply do my own thing. Tiktok and YouTube are also great sources for patterns.
What is your favourite handmade item?
- My whole life, I've had a blanket my cousin's gran knitted for me. It's a family heirloom and a reminder that it's a gift to be able to create something, which later means much more to a person than you thought it would.
Do you show off your creations on social media?
- Yes, I've started an Instagram page, daisy_chain23.
What are your other hobbies?
- I love photography and reading. I remember useless facts from various books and magazines.
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