With the resurgence in popularity of sewing and knitting in Australia, Victoria Mason’s latest Granny Goodness jewellery designs are a reflection of both contemporary trends and old memories. Vic says:
“For as long as I can remember Mum’s had a pile of wool by the side of the couch and she would crochet while she watched telly. (It took her 21 years to finish a bedspread!) I was watching lots of my friends learn to crochet and it got me thinking about how beautiful granny squares are and I thought it would be a lovely reminder.”
A collection of colourful Granny Squares. Image courtesy of Meet me at Mikes.
Read on to see the process of how a hand crocheted granny square becomes a sterling silver necklace and ring.
This is the original miniature granny square crocheted by Victoria’s friend Kirsty of Kootoyoo, a fabulous and inspiring blog about all things crafty.
First, the crocheted square is moulded and cast in sterling silver. This is the very first casting to be made.
Then the transformation from a casting to a finished necklace involves the raw casting being polished, painted and attached to a chain, and voila!
“I’m so proud of these pieces, I especially love them because each one reminds me of my very talented & generous friend, Kirsty who hand-crocheted the first one & now each of her stitches (hooks?) is preserved in silver. They also remind me of my mum who has had a stash of wool/hooks/& squares next to the armchair (near the telly) for as long as I can remember.”
Once the necklace design is finished, on to make a matching ring.
Using a doming block & wooden punch, Vic shapes the cast square into a more ring-appropriate shape. She says: “It kinda looks how the wool squares look before they’re made flat by stitching them together.”
The ring is cleaned and polished and ready for painting, including the underside!
And after experimenting in different colour combinations, we have the final designs, now available to buy at Oye Modern!
And if you’re a fan of crocheted granny squares, learn how to make one at Meet me at Mikes.
Sigh! Oh this is just wonderful! My crafty heart is all aflutter – the tinyness, the colouring, the memories…… well done!