Friday Focus: Carol Ventura

When I say the word "crochet", what pops into your head? Is it something airy? Something lacy? While loose airy stitches are certainly pretty, today I want to show you another side of crochet, one that is tight, smooth, and intricate. The color work in Carol Ventura's tapestry crochet patterns is simply stunning. She began working with tapestry crochet over thirty years ago and has since developed her very own pattern diagramming system. Her beautiful work has been featured in a variety of books and magazines. Some of it is beaded as well!

Who taught you to crochet? How long have you been doing it? 
 I learned from a neighbor when I was very young - maybe 6 or 7 years old. I knitted and crocheted a little in high school, but didn’t get into it seriously until my daughter was born, over 30 years ago. She needed a Christmas stocking, so I decided to tapestry crochet her one with her name on it. That’s what got me started again.

Why do you crochet?
I find it challenging and relaxing. I love that it’s portable so that I can do it anywhere. I also like it better than knitting because I can rip it out and then pick up the loop very easily. Trying to rip out knitting and get all the loops in the correct direction is too difficult!

Crochet Favorites
I only do tapestry crochet. I try different yarns and threads, but find myself preferring worsted weight cotton because the tight stitches produce the stiff type of fabric perfect for bags.


What are you working on right now? What is your next project?
I'm crocheting a purse. I’ll be crocheting a bag for a magazine - the yarn is on it’s way to me now.

A few finished objects...
Carol asked me to select a few items to show you. It's hard to choose because her work is so incredible, but here are a few of my favorites, taken from her Ravelry page.

Here's her Eye Dazzler Reversible Basket from her book Bead and Felted Tapestry Crochet.

You gotta love her Purrrrfectly Wonderful Tapestry Crochet Kitty Bag (pattern available for free!).

This is her Desert Sunrise afghan, featured in the book Unexpected Afghans: Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques. 

What an amazing woman. Carol Ventura is a true master of the craft and she's certainly someone to admire. Don't let your exploration end here! Go check out her Ravelry page, gallery, blog, and website for patterns, resources, and more information. Thank you for sharing your work with us today, Carol!

If you or someone you know would like to be featured on an upcoming Friday, please email me at illuminatecrochet@gmail.com.