CURIOUS CROCHET
We chat to designer and artist Ashley Lee Zhong of Snapdragon Brand to learn how crochet can become a medium for celebrating individuality and innovation
Ashley (left) believes that craft is for everyone and that uniqueness should be celebrated
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weirdo. Innovative crocheter. Maker by nature. This is how crochet designer Ashley describes herself. Making isn’t just a job to Ashley – it’s a lifestyle. Her apartment in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA, is stacked to the ceiling with yarn, fabric and the tools and tech she needs to write her patterns. From looking at Ashley’s makes, it’s evident how truly unique her designs are – and how much they connect to her wild and wonderful character.
Ashley’s creations go so much further than what you’d normally expect from crochet – she creates downloadable patterns for projects like her mesmerising Cosmic Drip Shawl, as well as fabric clothing printed with images of granny squares and transformed into bikinis, leggings and more. She favours bold, extravagant looks and wavy lines in a jubilant mix of bright colours.