A KEN JONES ORIGINAL
The internet has some wonderful possibilities. One of those possibilities is meeting other crocheters online. I have made several online crochet friends and I have been impressed with several designers, both for their work and creativity as well as their sense of sharing.
ANOTHER OF KEN’S ORIGINAL DESIGNS
Ken Jones is one of my favorites. Not only is Ken an innovative crocheter, he is constantly on the search for patterns suited to his many crochet students. With Ken’s encouragement, his students have created some crochet artistry that rivals that of very experienced crochet luminaries.
KEN’S STUDENT’S WORK IS SHOWN ABOVE
Ken told me that he learned to crochet while in college, after giving knitting an unsuccessful whirl. Along the way, he became certified by the Yarn Council of America. About eight years ago, Ken began to tour different community centers to display his work and attracted students along the way. This comes as no surprise to anyone who has seen Ken’s crochet work!
Ken looks for crochet inspiration all around him. As a male crocheter, he feels that his designer’s eye looks for some different things than female crocheters might. ‘Most men prefer to have things made tighter, meaning a closer stitch pattern..’ Didn’t we all know that men don’t like afghans with ‘holes’ in them? Further, Ken thinks that men tend to prefer simpler designs without the busy-ness of multiple colors. But, he gets ideas for crochet from books, magazines, catalogs, garments being worn by others, and ‘just walking around’. That sounds like a true artist to me.
The design challenge for Ken is often to see how he can take a noncrochet design he sees and interpret it in crochet. Color combinations and stitch patterns draw him into the process. Finding different ways of constructing a garment produce some of his more striking pieces. Putting the design package together the way Ken does sets him apart from many other crocheters, in my opinion. Ken seems to rely most on his innate sense of structure and color rather than a set of rules imposed by garment manufacturers.
When asked what tips Ken has to offer other crocheters, he suggested making personal copies of the pattern being worked on. This is an especially good idea for those of us who have to mark every row – and sometimes every stitch group. Further, Ken suggests maintaining a large notepad and pencil (not a pen) to take notes, and presumably to sketch ideas as they occur. What a great way to capture those ideas that escape us almost as quickly as they occur!
Finally, I asked Ken what his crochet goals are for 2007. ‘Resisting the urge to buy more yarn.’ Could any of us have stated that better? Do our yarn stashes define us? I don’t know. But, I do know that I am powerless over the attraction of beautiful yarn. I also know that I derive both satisfaction and encouragement from a designer like Ken Jones.
Ken,
I sent you an e-mail last week and never hear from you. I need a crochet seater pattern for men “Cardigan/raglan”.
I think you did a great job in describing Ken Jones work. I had the privilege to meet him while attending a class at a neighborhood senior center. He is a very nice person and is always willing to help you. When he showed me his pictures I just kept saying Oh!! look at that and look at this to the other people in the room.