Polymer artists keep telling me how important play is to their art. In interviews for my book and video chats for StudioMojo, the topic surfaces repeatedly. I squirm a bit because I know I don’t often play in the studio. I fixed that today. No deadlines or pressure! Just fun with clay.
The granny squares that keep popping up online (see Lisa Clarke’s post) intrigued me. I bought this sweater to try to get over my new obsession. Rather than invest in yarn and crochet lessons, I decided to try making the squares in polymer.
An inexpensive online tutorial from Meg Newberg headed me in the right direction. My handy, dandy extruder set up made the process easy.
The patterns improved with each cane as I improvised and experimented. While this afghan bead won’t keep me warm at night, it warms my heart to have played today…and to have shared it with you.
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Genius idea! I had to zoom all the way into the photo to be sure it wasn’t yarn. The texture sells it!
That trusty piece of air filter comes in handy for texturing. No sanding for this girl. Thanks
magnific work, i am surprised!!!
very nice
I LOVE that sweater! It looks great on you. When I saw that bead, I thought someone had crocheted those teeny squares. Nice work and isn’t it fun to play?
I was certain that it is yarn until I read your post, you could have fooled me!
Iris.
That is awesome!!
Had to click to enlarge the image too – that is so wonderful! (behold, the power of play!)
That is magnificent. I was sure it was crocheting when I first looked at it and couldn’t understand why it it was on PCD. Thank you so much for this, my mind is racing about all the colors and things I can make with this. I’ve made over 100 afghans but this one is going to be more fun.
Bonnie – 100 afghans…I’m so jealous. My left-handedness has kept me from learning to crochet and I remain fascinated by it. Polymer doesn’t care if you do things backwards!
The extruder will be a godsend! Cynthia, I can’t thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to learn something new CONTINUALLY as I carry on my busy schedule. Hopefully there will be Polymer Clay items in my Etsy shop this year. Again, Thanks!
This very cool Cynthia. I think you are on to something good.
Playing pays..this is wonderful Cynthia, no limits with polymer!
From sweater to talented hands and eye……. to perfect PC Granny Square afghan bead. What a FUN playtime treasure!
Your grandmothers would be very proud of you!
Wendy – Come to think of it, they would! Thanks
Wow! What an amazing thing to wake up to this morning! This is the first time I’ve seen a creation from one of my tutorials posted… and exquisitely done I might add. I’m tickled pink to be featured on my favorite site! Thank you!!!
Meg – Your simple tutorial was brilliant. Both Lisa Clarke (see her comment) and I had thought about this and abandoned it as too hard. Your simple method is great. I jumped right into extruding the clay. Now I’m building a stockpile of patterns. Many thanks.
Wow, that _does_ fool the eye…I thought it was the real thing! Kudos to you, Cynthia.
Yes, play. Even when I’m under deadlines and am pressured, I squeeze in time to play (usually at the expense of sleep)…it’s that important.
I love this! I tried to wrap my brain around granny square canes a while ago, and I just over-complicated the whole thing. This gives me new hope (and new inspiration). Thanks for linking to me. I feel a great connection between polymer and crochet that has surprised me!
Lisa – I was happy to find the tutorial. Like you, I had a much more complex scheme in mind. Thanks to Meg for setting us both straight.
Oh, Cynthia, it’s totally believable! I’m so intrigued by the cane’s appearing to have the texture of a crocheted square. What fun! I laughed with delight at your bead! Success! Hope it’s looks as good in person as it does on my screen. I’m completely smitten by it. I want to send the photo of it to my fiber loving friend.
I love this idea. I did not realize the squares were polymer until I looked at the tutorial. Amazing. I had a Grandmother who made an afghan like this some 50 years ago.
Wow Cynthia! I’m so impressed. I really thought those were hand knit granny squares when I first saw the photo! It is so amazing what can be done with polymer clay I’m wondering what will be next?! And by the way, I’ve been having the same “struggle” myself with balancing my time in the studio with “play” and it is something I think we all need to bring out more of the creativity in us. Have a great day!
Wonderfully fun technique!
Wow it looks so real. Great job!
Two of my favorite crafts combined, polymer clay & crochet! Love it Cynthia!
I want the sweater. You look gorgeous and should be loving yourself sick.
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