Experimental Crochet: Over, Under, and Through will provide a space to explore the medium of crochet with a playful and artistic approach, outside of the realm of a traditional craft project. We will create innovative and unique pieces by experimenting with:

• Creating our stitches around, over, and under various materials
• Applying edgings on leather and other textiles
• Weaving into our crochet
• Cover solid objects, such as rings, sticks, and dowels with our stitches

This is an open session where a selection of materials and ideas will be provided for you to explore and take in your own direction. This workshop is suitable for those with an understanding of chain, double, and treble stitches, and a basic understanding of working in both rows and rounds.

A range of materials will be provided to experiment with, but you are welcome to bring your own yarns or materials should you want to work with something specific.

Please bring a notebook and pen if you would like to make notes.

Cathy Van Hear is a textile artist and crochet specialist based in Brighton. She has 7 years of experience teaching workshops, courses, and classes at venues such as Make Town, Morley College, and the Southbank Centre as well as in collaboration with Brainchild Festival and Bestival.

In her classes, she balances technical skill development and the joy of creating to build both technical and creative confidence in her students. Her studio practice focuses on crochet, but also includes stitch, natural dyeing, quilting, and surface manipulation. Using these traditional craft techniques, she delves into the tapestry of human experience, unravelling threads of identity, belonging, and self-discovery.