Interview
| SuSan Cropper
ight in the middle of Islington in
R
London sits Loop, a fantastic yarn
shop that carries some of the most
beautiful yarns available. Susan
Cropper, owner of Loop and author of Loop
Vintage Crochet, shares some of her thoughts
on how crochet fits into the world.
IC: You studied textile design while living in New
York and have worked as an art director and
designer for many UK publications. Why the
jump from doing all of that to opening and
running a yarn shop?
SC: While working as an art director, I went to
many design exhibitions and saw a lot of knitted
and crocheted things being made and used
throughout the shows. When I visited the US,
I saw a lot of beautiful yarns in the yarn shops
there and I decided that I wanted to be a part
of that. I wanted a shop of my own where I
could stock those beautiful yarns and work with
designers to create something unique.
IC: How do you feel about the stereotype that many
people have about those who crochet? You
know, the granny sitting in her rocking chair,
crocheting away?
SC: It’s just so silly, especially in this day and age.
There are so many young women crocheting
and using their creativity to make beautiful
things. There are also a lot of great designers
out there who are using crochet in their designs
”
so it’s finding its place in high fashion.
IC: Do you find that there is a lot of interest in
“
crochet in your shop?
SC: Yes, definitely. More of the customers are
A lot of people think crochet isn't
knitters, with about 15 percent of them being
crocheters. But a lot of knitters use some form
that nice but it's not the case. I work
of crochet at one time or another, for example,
with fantastic designers who have
with edging or embellishments.
made beautiful things with crochet.
IC: Have you seen an increase in interest recently?
SC: A little bit. We do have classes at the shop and
they are always full. The interest is definitely IC: You’ve written books on both crocheting and
there. The renewed interest in crochet and knitting. Which do you do more of?
(Left, main image)
knitting is really nice to see and I think all of SC: I do knit much more but I like to crochet as
Loop is filled with
the gorgeous fibres have a lot to do with that. well. The books were my ideas – my babies
many beautiful yarns
– but I’m not a designer. I commissioned 30
from around the world.
IC: What inspired you to write your book Loop patterns from the designers I had collaborated
Vintage Crochet? with. I knew them from their work at Loop
(Left Inset)
SC: There are hardly any good and wonderful books and developed a good working relationship
Susan enjoys every
out there for those who crochet. There was a with them. They were people who had a similar
day working in her
need for a book with great patterns. A lot of sense of design and got excited by some of the
London shop.
people think that crochet just isn’t that nice but same things as me. Some I knew before opening
it’s not the case. I work with many fantastic Loop and others contacted me or I met them
(above)
designers who have made so many beautiful through work. I felt that there were already so
Alchemy is a truly
things with crochet. I decided to do the book to many books out there for knitters and it was
special yarn, hand-
fill that gap. time for a really nice crochet book as well. »
made in California.
www.insidecrochet.co.uk
|
35
IC2.Interview.FINAL.indd 35 13/5/09 12:19:06
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100