How to Double Crochet from Tejer y Poder on Vimeo.

Special thanks to: Illinois Department of Commerce and Employment Opportunities

Single crochet is a basic technique that people learn, when picking up a hook for the first time. Single crocheting is used in patterns such as scarvess, amigurumi dolls and other cool things. Enjoy!

How to Single Crochet by Tejer y Poder from Tejer y Poder on Vimeo.

Special thanks to: Illinois Department of Commerce and Employment Opportunities

Enjoy!

How to Knit from Tejer y Poder on Vimeo.

Special thanks to: Illinois Department of Commerce and Employment Opportunities

We had a lot of fun making this video and we hope you enjoy watching it.

How to Purl from Tejer y Poder on Vimeo.

Special thanks to: Illinois Department of Commerce and Employment Opportunities

Stockinette Stitch from Tejer y Poder on Vimeo.

Special thanks to: Illinois Department of Commerce and Employment Opportunities

For my project I chose to document and analyze the process opposed to a person. Using a pen, pencil and a marker as my medium, I played with the idea of immortality and life spans.  The penned needles will outlive the marker yarn, and the yarn will out last our penciled hands. So in essence, it’s a tangible immortal fragment of ourselves in the living world while our life will move on and cease.

Natalia Arana is a twenty year old student in Chicago where she attends UIC. I met her through the youth group of my church, Maranatha Ministries, and read on her Myspace page that she liked to create. I have participated in many creative activities with Natalia through our church such as talent shows, dances, and taking part of the Drama Team. Recently I found out we had a common interest in knitting when I overheard one of our leaders suggest that Natalia knit a gift for an elderly woman that our group of girls would be visiting that month. I always wondered the story behind Natalia’s talent for knitting but never had the chance to ask her until this documentation project came along.

My grandmother, Yolanda Browder-Lemus Nunez, is a longtime knitter. Born June 5, 1949 in Mexico, D.F., she started knitting when she attended a boarding school around the age of 10. At the boarding school she learned many skills. Aside from knitting, they taught her about music, cooking, and sewing among other trades. Her favorite projects are scarves and especially slipper shoes for the grandchildren, some of which she is currently working on. Worsted weight yarn is her favorite because “it’s not too thick, not too thin,” she states. Beige and grey are her favorite colors to use. You can find her knitting to keep her mind off things or to keep herself occupied.

I decided to interview my friend’s mom Casimira Ramirez because I’ve seen how much love she puts into her knit and crochet projects. She enjoys knitting and crocheting  and whenever she has free time she decides to work on somethng. I have known Casimira for six  years and I have been friends with her daughter ever since. They used to live across the street and it was like a second home to me. She made the decorations for my quinceañera and they turned out great. Casimira has been knitting for 50 years, she learned how to knit in Mexico with a group of older ladies. She has a lot of experience with knitting and crocheting, recently she has done a lot of blankets for her granddaughters.