Caron International Yarns and Latch Hook Kits

Q & A with Cari Clement

Director of Fashion and Design for Caron International

Having learned to knit at the age of 8 from her “Madame Defarge” mom, Cari’s been involved in fiber arts ever since. She’s a self-taught crocheter and can’t recall when she learned, but it was in the 60s. Cari’s degree is a BS in Home Economics, Fashion Marketing focus and, before graduation, she attended the Sorbonne in Paris, France and did independent study on British and French designers and retailers. In 1971, she was one of the youngest managers of a fabric store, eventually owning her own fabric and yarn store in the late 70s After moving to NYC in the early 80s, Cari first approached Family Circle with her designs. Nora O’Leary, the editor, picked two and the rest is history. From designing to owning a yarn shop in Brooklyn to owning Bond America, a knitting machine manufacturing company, anything having to do with knitting or crochet has been a life-long passion.

Q: Why “embellishing?”

A: “Embellishing” means something different to so many people, from international designers to home crafters. I wanted it to mean something very special to crocheters, something that would encompass the use of easy fringe to detailed beading to elaborate embroidery. The designers I worked with to create this book each had very different ideas about what embellishing meant to them and, while this was challenging to describe (and the reason there are so many technique photos in the book), it was also incredibly inspiring to show the diversity of their interpretations.

Q: Are there both technique and patterns in “Embellished Crochet?”

A:The book is really a double-bonus book: inspiring designs from some of the industry’s top designers and in-depth technique instruction you can use in your own designs. Personally, I’d love to use Margaret Willson’s beaded tassel as a special tree ornament this holiday season. I adore Noreen Crone-Findlay’s eclectic mix of beads on both her Kente Cloth scarf fringe and her Tassel Necklace. I can envision using Susan Shildmyer’s lovely floral embroidery motifs from her Color Me Blue jacket on a knitted crazy quilt. And that’s just the beginning….

Q: How did you get your ideas for the book?

A: Being a product of the creative 60s and 70s I have always loved embellishments, whether beaded macramé or embroidered jeans. But I wanted to relate it to yarn, my true passion, and to crochet. Using a relatively basic project and making it truly special and personal is what’s really exciting. Create a basic vest, such as my Cropped Vest, then edge it in beaded crochet and crochet embroidery. Make a granny square coat but customize it with a different bead in each of the squares’ centers. Ideas come from so many places, from everyday life to international books, but also from my fellow designers, who each have their own take on embellishing!

Embellished