Community Crochet

This community project is open to all experienced crocheters and knitters. Stock Mr. Caterpillar's library and have fun doing it!

Experienced crocheters wanted! Come join this open event to crochet a library of small books for our special guest, Mr. Caterpillar, currently on display in the Grade School window. He also needs help finding a name! Suggestions will be collected through December 23. The winning name will receive a prize bag with a beginner crochet kit and book.

The books will be soft blank books measuring approximately 4"x4". Creative brainstorming will be welcome on how to decorate with embroidery and/or appliques (ex: a flower book.) After we fill up Mr. Caterpillar's hands with books, we can continue making them to take home as gifts or use as ornaments. We may also crochet him some reading glasses or a scarf. Crochet artist Gina Gallina will be available to provide some guidance. Patterns and yarn will be supplied. There are a limited number of crochet hooks available; please bring your own if possible.

Gina Rose Gallina is a crochet artist in the Northwest Arkansas area. Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, her grandmother taught her to crochet when she was 8 years old. They would watch Italian cooking shows and crochet bibs and hats for the local hospital's newborns. After leaving home at 18 years old in 1993, she traveled across the country for some much needed soul searching. She eventually found her new home in Eureka Springs. A few years later, she formed a band called "The Camptown Ladies" with her friend. The band focused on music and played all over the region. They were also on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” Towns with Talent Under Two Thousand. Music was Gina's life and crocheting was put on the back-burner until 2007 when she found herself living in Texas and the internet went out at the house. She was forced to pick the hook back up to pass time. Crocheting then took on a new meaning. At this time, Gina was traveling and working on the road. Up to 8 hours a day in a van left plenty of time to hone her crocheting skills. Eventually, in 2011, she made it back to Eureka Springs. Her crocheting began its evolution into art. This evolution has continued over the years and now she is traveling across the country with her crochet! She was invited to showcase her work at Vogue Knitting Live, Coast to Coast and has crocheted many art pieces for her community and friends. Now based in Fayetteville, she is crocheting larger-than-life installations and environments to keep a small hook and yarn exciting and new.

This is not an instructional class. No registration required.

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