Image
![Form Study](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2020-06/FD_ValentiThomas_FormStudyinFelt_image04.jpg?itok=B2lTHSqe)
Thomas
Valenti
Through my thesis, “Reforming the Spiral,” I wish to recontextualize the craft of crochet. As 3D knitting machines transformed textile design, I believe the capabilities of crochet extend beyond scarves, hats, and stuffed bears. It holds the capacity for 3-dimensional textile design, and expresses an intimate relationship between the maker and the material. The body of work demonstrates my response to the recent events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and self-isolation, during which crochet offered me many things: a low-tech making process, progression in material research, and mental healing. The project serves as a physical manifestation of my heartache and fight to keep making, as well as a conceptual foundation to launch crochet forward into the furniture design market.
Image
![Form Study](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2020-06/FD_ValentiThomas_FormStudiesinYarn_image01.jpg?itok=TDrxikoF)
Form Studies in Yarn
Medium-worsted acrylic yarn.
various; tallest height: 3"
additional form studies conducted with yarn for economic and temporal efficiency. My focus with these studies was to create innovative forms in crochet, to "break the spiral."
Image
![Form Study](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2020-06/FD_ValentiThomas_FormStudiesinYarn_image02.jpg?itok=PJeuYYbr)
Form Studies in Yarn
Medium-worsted acrylic yarn.
various; tallest height: 3"
additional form studies conducted with yarn for economic and temporal efficiency. My focus with these studies was to create innovative forms in crochet, to "break the spiral."
Image
![Form Study](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2020-06/FD_ValentiThomas_FormStudiesinYarn_image03.jpg?itok=YvJmz8nx)
Form Studies in Yarn
Medium-worsted acrylic yarn.
various; tallest height: 3"
additional form studies conducted with yarn for economic and temporal efficiency. My focus with these studies was to create innovative forms in crochet, to "break the spiral."
Image
![Form Study](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2020-06/FD_ValentiThomas_FormStudyinFelt_image01.jpg?itok=-RUhm2Ju)
Form Study in Felt
5mm industrial felt
14" x 14" x 14"
This is both a study in form and material. The 5mm felt allows for a fairly rigid structure when crocheted, and does not rely on stuffing to hold its shape and stand firmly. The overall form was inspired by an interest to push the form-making capacities of crochet.
Image
![Form Study](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2020-06/FD_ValentiThomas_FormStudyinFelt_image02.jpg?itok=bbU3pUaG)
Form Study in Felt
5mm industrial felt
14" x 14" x 14"
This is both a study in form and material. The 5mm felt allows for a fairly rigid structure when crocheted, and does not rely on stuffing to hold its shape and stand firmly. The overall form was inspired by an interest to push the form-making capacities of crochet.
Image
![Form Study](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2020-06/FD_ValentiThomas_FormStudyinFelt_image04.jpg?itok=B2lTHSqe)
Form Study in Felt
5mm industrial felt
14" x 14" x 14"
This is both a study in form and material. The 5mm felt allows for a fairly rigid structure when crocheted, and does not rely on stuffing to hold its shape and stand firmly. The overall form was inspired by an interest to push the form-making capacities of crochet.
Image
![Form Study](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2020-06/FD_ValentiThomas_FormStudyinFelt_image05.jpg?itok=BhpV5feD)
Form Study in Felt
5mm industrial felt
14" x 14" x 14"
This is both a study in form and material. The 5mm felt allows for a fairly rigid structure when crocheted, and does not rely on stuffing to hold its shape and stand firmly. The overall form was inspired by an interest to push the form-making capacities of crochet.
Image
![Stool](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2020-06/FD_ValentiThomas_CrochetStool_image01.jpg?itok=KvhG183C)
Crochet Stool
5mm Industrial Felt
22" x 14" x 14"
The stool demonstrates the capability to use crochet as a finish. The textile is a crocheted sleeve which slips over a metal rod frame. The method of crochet is both the process and the end result, which offers a unique tactile experience and visual pattern.
Image
![Stool](/sites/default/files/styles/full/public/2020-06/FD_ValentiThomas_CrochetStool_image02.jpg?itok=W98jLM8_)
Crochet Stool
5mm Industrial Felt
22" x 14" x 14"
The stool demonstrates the capability to use crochet as a finish. The textile is a crocheted sleeve which slips over a metal rod frame. The method of crochet is both the process and the end result, which offers a unique tactile experience and visual pattern.
- Amalia Attias
- Hali Barthel
- Tiarra Bell
- Hillary Brame
- Yifei Chen
- Daphne Thieu-Uyen Do
- Cecilia (Cece) Emy
- Alyssa Gerasimoff
- Jasmine Gutbrod
- Cali Hetfield
- Victoria Humphrey
- Esi Hutchinson
- Laura Jaramillo
- Dongzhu Li
- Jane Campbell Robertson
- Alison Sherpa
- Thomas Valenti
- Joseph Warren
- Asher Gillman
- Dan Mitrovic
- Isabel Rower
- Allie Venegas