FabSugar

10 Cool Crochet Pieces For Summer

Brittney Stephens — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:00:36 PDT

Crochet can get sold short; for some, it conjures up memories of hippie-chic style icons like Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks, and for others, it can be a reminder of our Grandma's favorite pastime. Though it may have folksy connotations, crochet doesn't have to be a total blast from the past. Case in point: Rose Byrne - she recently hosted Zimmermann's Resort collection dinner wearing the designers' super sweet knee-length dress with gorgeous crochet detailing at the neck, and an almost patchwork crochet design throughout. You can also glean inspiration from the Alexander McQueen Resort collection, and Spring '11 offerings from Malandrino; both lines infused artful crocheting into their looks, bringing an easy, bohemian sensibility to the sometimes-intimidating fabrication. Just click through to see 10 pretty pieces that might just make you a crochet convert.

Nathan Vincent's Majorly Masculine Yarn Art

Elka Karl — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:45:27 PDT

To celebrate Father's Day, I wanted to feature an artist whose work honors masculinity while also turning it on its head. Crochet artist Nathan Vincent was raised in the Midwest and later attended art school in California before moving to New York City, where he found his true calling: questioning gender norms through working in a very cozy medium.

Nathan explains,

The works shown here focus on the contradiction between medium and subject matter. The objects created were inspired by memories of attempts to be masculine. Men I have known spent much of their time in the garage with tools getting greasy and doing the heavy-duty lawn work. They watched Sunday afternoon football on their recliners with the remote in hand. My uncle was a body builder, which to me was the physical epitome of masculinity. I remember my father getting home from work, propping his briefcase on the bed and removing the paperwork. And, I distinctly remember longing to be tall enough to use the urinal in the men's restroom like the big guys. By crocheting the objects that are linked to these masculine ideas, I am breaking down the barrier of traditional gender permissions. The objects are no longer rough and manly, but soft and inviting. They evoke the feminine. The nontraditional sculpting process of crochet allows me to draw attention to the challenges of defining gender identities.

See more of Nathan's work in the slideshow, and learn more about the artist in this video on Road Trip Nation. Through June 26, catch his work in the exhibition The Mysterious Content of Softness at the Bellevue Arts Museum in Seattle.

Look of the Day: Crochet Crush

FabSugar — Fri, 27 May 2011 03:25:35 PDT

We've developed something of a style crush on the way Fab reader brunetteblogging's outfitted her knits. Part of what we love is the sweet color palette; part is the perfect play on proportions. But it all comes back to that fabulously, slouchy crochet sweater with a few Summer styling twists - including a pair of bright, crisscross wedges.

Congrats to brunetteblogging!

Everyone else, submit your looks, and I might just feature you on FabSugar!

Cool Crochet For Your Modern Home

Elka Karl — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 06:00:00 PST

The French word crochet literally means hook and refers to the instrument used to create the intricate knots of yarn or rope used in a crochet pattern. I'm sure many of you have memories of a grandmother crocheting, and while many patterns were definitely granny-style, as we've seen before, crochet is constantly being updated and modernized. Check out my latest finds for adding some nongranny crochet style to your thoroughly modern abode.

Fab Gift Guide: 15 Unique and Stylish Etsy Finds

FabSugar — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 06:00:29 PST

Etsy is one of my favorite places for fun, uncommon treasures - and when it comes to shopping for gifts, it's one of the first places on my list. I'm definitely eyeing this hand-crocheted clutch ($117) and funky feathered statement necklace ($65). If you're on the hunt for unique holiday finds for friends and family, look no further - Etsy has you covered. Click through for 15 fashionable finds from the popular online marketplace.

Celeb Style: Alexa Chung

FabSugar — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:00:22 PDT

Leave it to quirky cutie Alexa Chung to pair crochet, denim cutoffs, army green, and socks-with-sandals and make it all look up-to-date. It's not an easy look to master, but with a bit of effort and confidence, it can be done. Start with a feminine crochet top, men's army green button-down, vintage denim cutoffs, and, the most important, gray socks with colorful platform sandals. Of course, a Chanel bag won't hurt either.

Grady Military Shirt - Sold Out	Cristiana Crochet Top - Sold Out
Current/elliott The High Waisted Cutoff Shorts - Sold Out	Rib Crew Socks infused with Aloe and Vitamin E - Assorted Colors - $8.00
Alexandre Birman royal blue python strappy platform sandals - $570.40	Elephant Pendant Necklace - Sold Out
Rhinestone and Turquoise Stackable Rings - Sold Out	Star Spangled Ring - Sold Out
Quilted Bag - Sold Out

Check out CelebStyle for lots more celebrity street style!

Cool Idea: A Crocheted Home

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:00:01 PST

While I've featured knit deer heads, DIYs on how to knit your own pouf, and photos of rogue knitting and crochet projects, I have yet to feature a truly large-scale fiber arts project. That is, until now.

Kate Pokorny, who's worked in fiber arts for many years, is preparing to crochet a house - a yurt, to be exact. Kate started crocheting small dome shapes, and then realized that she could translate the small shapes into a much larger one, and decided to make a crocheted yurt. (Yurts are traditional Mongolian nomadic homes that are dome-shaped.)

Kate began crocheting about four years ago, and since then her needlework ambitions have soared. In part, she notes that she was inspired by Margaret Wertheim’s TED Talk and saw how crochet can be used to represent hyperbolic space and coral reefs, and became very interested in oversize knit and crochet work by artists like Kwangho Lee, Claudy Jongstra, and Christien Meindertsma.

Kate will start "building" her yurt as soon as the weather gets warmer at her parents' farm in Jaffrey, NH, and hopes to complete it by this Autumn. Kate notes, "This past weekend I sourced the rest of the wool for the project from a Mack Hill Farm, a farm about 45 minutes away from my place, and now I'm starting the process of getting it all cleaned and blended so that I can begin hand felting the two-inch diameter cord and crocheting it using my arm as the 'hook.' If all goes according to plan it will be self-supporting and made of a single cord."

To hear more about the plans for the yurt, and to check out some photos,

read more. When I asked Kate about the plans for the yurt after it's completed, she said, "When it's done I have dreams that it'll go to textile exhibits all over, that people will want to see how it was made and learn about the community that developed around it - so far everyone I've talked to to that end though wants to see if it will work! I can't blame them. Regardless of if it goes on a tour of schools that help out in the process or textile centers, galleries or museums, though, there will definitely be a party when it's done! The farm has much to do at it including swimming and a big pizza oven so I imagine a big 'to do' with the yurt as the center - it will be a longtime coming when it's complete! My brother also gave me electro luminescent wire to weave into the inside when it's done so we can party into the night!" If you want to donate to her project, you can do so here. Find out all the details about her project at Yurt Alert. I can't wait to see the final result!

View 5 Photos ›

Look of the Day: Summer Blues

FabSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:50:22 PDT

Xoqiqixo is experiencing the Summer blues in a stylish manner. She scored an oceanic maxi dress for only $10 - amazing. I'm also digging how her ivory crocheted shrug gives off a Mexicana feel. Muy bonita, senorita!

Here's what she has on:

Maxi dress: Forever 21
Top: MM Couture by Miss Me
Bangles: Unknown

Congrats to xoqiqixo!

Everyone else, submit your looks and I might feature you on FabSugar!

Celebrity Style: Diane Kruger

FabSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:00:22 PDT

Diane Kruger supported fellow German designer Anja Gockel by attending her show at Berlin Fashion Week. The Fab favorite lived up to her stylish reputation in a Summery ensemble that's girlie and utilitarian at the same time. The green cargo shorts balance out the feminine ivory crochet blouse, while her tan sandals add au natural sex appeal. Simple to re-create and well worth the effort!

Nanette Lepore cream eyelet 'Daddy-O' cropped blouse - Sold Out	H81 Bead End Linen Short - Sold Out
Steve Madden - Alicce (Tan Leather) - Sold Out	Sabina Dakota Tote - Sold Out
Mini Lexington Elongated Leather Pigskin Strap Watch - Sold Out	Ariel Gordon Jewelry :: Cube Studs - $120.00

Get all the fashion from the show on CelebStyle!

Inspired: Cassie's Edgy Take on Crochet

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:00:07 PDT

Singer Cassie rocked an edgy, punk crochet look at the BET Awards last night. I love how glam the lacy pattern looks in black, and Cassie's punk-inspired half-shaved head accentuates the singer's beauty while letting fans know that she's not to be trifled with. Inspired, I set out to find some similar looks.

Of course, my hero Tord Boontje would have a lamp that would fit Cassie to a T. His Artecnica Come Rain Come Shine Light ($4,950) has the same lacy, edgy glamour as Cassie's BET Awards ensemble.

For some other, less spendy ways to get a similar look,

Arktura Coral Coffee Table - Black - $1,990.00	Chatting Garden Rug - Sold Out
Lace Cut Media Storage Unit - Coffee - $699.00	Crocheted Wall Hooks - Sold Out
Fringe "Emma Black Lace" 3 Wick Candle - Sold Out	Pattern Bent Wood Chair - High Gloss Black - $199.00
Cutwork Hook - Sold Out	Velvet Burnout Curtain - Sold Out
Galbraith & Paul Lace Ink Pillow - $129.00	Pressed Vinyl Dot Placemat - Sold Out
Lace Shopping Basket - Sold Out	Moooi crochet table - $1,302.00
Artecnica - come rain come shine light by tord boontje - Sold Out	Fringe "Lace" Frame, 4"x6" - Sold Out
Lace Cut Bath Cabinet - Coffee - $399.00	D.L. & Co. Art Noveau Diffuser - Belle of India - Sold Out