Tag Archives: wool of the andes

The Art of Crocheting Guacamole: Artist Kate Moran
Pieces from the Guacamole series, a 2-D series of hand-crocheted pieces featuring components of guacamole, each piece has a trail of ends emanating from it and is surrounded by a row of yarns in its color palette. 1. A hand-crocheted half an avocado, surrounded by the yarn color palette ranging from greens to brown to golds.

Kate Moran is a multi-medium contemporary artist based in Fernie, British Columbia . Always finding inspiration in the fine details, Kate demonstrates masterful patience in her slow art fascinations of free-form crochet, micro-macrame, textile arts, block-printing, delicate beadwork, and more. ⁠Her newest gallery show “The Guacamole Series” featuring large-scale crocheted works, opened on July 29, 2021 at The Arts Station in Fernie, BC.

This show contains seven large crochet pieces depicting the individual components of guacamole, rendered completely in crochet. Kate used WeCrochet’s yarn, Wool of the Andes, to realize her vision for this project. This yarn is 100% Peruvian Wool, available in so many colors, as demonstrated by these beautiful photos of Kate’s work.

A hand-crocheted art piece by Kate Moran: slice of red onion surrounded by yarn in white and a range of purples.

“Sometimes an idea strikes, and it must be brought to life! The concept of free-form crochet had been sparking my interest for some time, and I finally dove in January of 2019. I describe my approach as paint-by-number, and the finished product, a yarn painting. Years of working up projects in the craft of crochet make it possible for me to apply a deep understanding of stitches to intuitively crochet-paint with yarn. The new, crucial skill of working with ambidexterity allows me to always be looking at the front of my work, and change directions as needed to build my stitches into an image,” Kate said in her artist statement.

A hand-crocheted art piece by Kate Moran: A 2-D crocheted garlic clove, surrounded by yarn ranging from white/grays to golds.

Kate also said: “I am secondly passionate about this content as a vegetarian, and avid gardener. Most importantly, I ate heaps of guacamole during the pivotal year I lived on a school bus in Central America. These ingredients incite an indescribable joy in me. As it relates to the public, this series concept is colourful, fun, and has proven to be palatable to the visual taste buds of many. Unintentionally, this series now brings appreciation of times I traveled and was nourished by these local foods abroad. They remind me that healthier days are ahead when we can all explore foreign cuisines and cultures again.”

You might also enjoy: The Art and Business of Crochet

A polaroid photo featuring Kate Moran standing in front of the mini versions of her guacamole art pieces

Kate also completed small versions of her oversized pieces, which are also available for sale at the gallery (and on their website). As of the writing of this blog post, several of these smaller pieces have already been sold!

You can follow Kate online on her Instagram account acefergusonstudio. Ace Ferguson is Kate’s mobile bus studio/store, featuring her meticulous original artwork.


Free Crochet Pattern: Vanilla Latte Super Scarf – 12 Weeks of Gifting

It’s the most wonderful time of year: when we give away free crochet patterns every week leading up to the holiday gift-giving season. We’re featuring a new free pattern every Tuesday for 12 weeks. This week’s free crochet pattern is the Vanilla Latte Super Scarf.

A model wears an oversized gray crocheted scarf. The Vanilla Latte Super Scarf, part of the 12 Weeks of Gifting, free crochet patterns from crochet.com

To help you with your holiday gift list, we offer our favorite annual tradition: the 12 Weeks of Gifting, where we release a brand new free pattern every Tuesday for 12 weeks, counting down the days to mid-December. We are featuring all sorts of projects—from cozy shawls
to cushy scarves and pretty hats—a little something for everyone on your list!

Vanilla Latte Super Scarf – Free Crochet Pattern

Download the free crochet pattern: Vanilla Latte Super Scarf

Yarn needed: Wool of the Andes™ (worsted weight, 100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 110 yards/50g): Crane Heather 28290, 6 skeins

An oversized gray crocheted scarf. The Vanilla Latte Super Scarf, part of the 12 Weeks of Gifting, free crochet patterns from crochet.com

This generously sized scarf makes a versatile addition to any winter wardrobe and a thoughtful handmade gift. It can be worn long, wrapped multiple times around the neck, or even pulled over the head as a hood.

Worked lengthwise, the scarf features alternating rows of paired single crochet stitches, which create subtle ridges, and treble crochet stitches that give the design a frothy feel. The resulting fabric’s tendency to lean to one side can be corrected by blocking.

Stay Tuned for More 12 Weeks of Gifting Patterns to Come

We can’t wait to reveal the rest of this year’s 12 Weeks of Gifting Patterns, so check back next Tuesday to find out what the next pattern will be.

In the meantime, check out last year’s 12 Weeks of Gifting Patterns to inspire you as you craft up your holiday gifts (or maybe just make something for yourself!)