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Discover the hidden history of George Washington Carver’s life as a prolific fiber artist and crocheter. While famous for his agricultural breakthroughs at Tuskegee University, Carver was a master of domestic arts who dyed his own threads using local Alabama clay and plant life. This episode of Exploration Crochet explores how his artistic training at Simpson College informed his world-renowned scientific career. We examine archival evidence, including rare 1937 footage of Carver crocheting, to reveal a man whose curiosity had no boundaries. Join ReRe to see why TIME magazine dubbed Carver the "Black Leonardo". Edgar A Guest – Equipment excerpt – “Courage must come from the soul within The man must furnish the will to win. So figure it out for yourself, my lad You were born with all that the great have had. With your equipment they all began Get hold of yourself and say “I can”” Crochet Sampler: Tuskegee - https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Carvers-crochet-samples-Tuskegee-Institute-National-Historic-Site-Image-by-Curtis_fig3_283353138 TIME 1941 – “Black Leonardo” https://time.com/archive/6603680/art-black-leonardo/ Color film of Professor Carver - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_yn6Qz81Y8&t=1s The Henry Ford Museum: What if an Artist Becomes a Scientist - https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/stories-of-innovation/what-if/george-washington-carver GWC Recites “Equipment” - https://archive.tuskegee.edu/repository/digital-collection/audio-collections/george-washington-carver/george-washington-carver-recites-poem-1942/ PBS – George Washington Carver: An Uncommon Life - https://klru.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/booker-t-washington-invites-carver-tuskegee-video/george-washington-carver-an-uncommon-life/ Sound Attributions | YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html Duke Ellington - Black and Tan Fantasy (1927)

In this kickoff episode of Crochet: A Chain of Events — The People, ReRe introduces the Victorian-era publisher and pattern powerhouse Mlle. Eleonore Riego de la Branchardière, one of the earliest figures to make crochet reproducible at scale. We explore how crochet spread globally not just because it was clever, but because it became standardized, teachable, publishable, and commercially distributed. We look at how Riego treated patterns as professional intellectual property, protecting her works through mechanisms like Stationers’ Hall registration and “right of translation” notices. We unpack her public-facing brand—from Great Exhibition prestige and “registered designs” to royal appointment marketing, and explore her creative range from raised floral “rose” motifs to geometric star designs and “tricot” (early Tunisian/afghan-style) warmth for winter wear, and finally how she marketed "imitation lace" to democratize luxury for the middle class. We will ground the story in historical truth: the deepest roots of crochet belong to innovators who were anonymous, mostly working-class women sharing knowledge across generations. Named figures like Riego rise in the record because their work was printed, preserved, and funded—so this episode holds both truths at once: crochet is collective intelligence, and Riego helped make that intelligence portable. LINKS | Books by Riego de la Branchardière, Eléonore (6): Project Gutenburg - https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/33346 The Crochet Book Archive (17): The Crochet Book was a series of numbered books on crochet by Eléonore Riego de la Branchardière - https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/serial?id=crochetriego SOUND ATTRIBUTION | YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html Music by Echo Gate https://pixabay.com/users/echogatestudios-52624047/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=450676 – Pixabay

In Exploration Crochet S2 Ep3, ReRe explores the technical and cultural history of the adjustable ring, also known as the magic ring or magic circle. This episode explains what the technique truly is—a starting method built from a controlled slip-loop foundation—and why it likely emerged organically rather than being invented by one person. ReRe traces the method from Japanese chart culture (including the わ / wa ring symbol) through the amigurumi boom, where eliminating the center gap solved the “stuffing leak” problem in cute crochet toys. You’ll hear how YouTube, Ravelry, and early internet crafting helped the technique go global, and why the West rebranded it “magic” around 2008—because naming drives adoption. We explore why the "Thread Era" favored chain starts and how modern worsted yarns made the magic circle a global game-changer. ReRe also covers common magic ring mistakes, the rule for durability (it’s not a knot—weave the tail securely), the double magic ring, and when a classic chain ring still wins. Links | Colossal Crochet Yarn Crawl of 2026 info + where to submit shops | https://yarnoverhook.com/crochet-yarn-crawl/Listen to Part 1: Crochet Unchained: The Evolution of Starting | CrochetPodcast.comLearn How to Start a Magic Ring | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2K0XLwc3XIShare your story: @ExplorationCrochet - #MRM (Magic Ring Magic or Magic Ring Misery) Sound Attribution | YOH Tune | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.htmlRemix of 2684__TexasMusicForge__Dandelion.wav by Timbre -- https://freesound.org/s/94564/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0. Dandelion.mp3 by TexasMusicForge -- https://freesound.org/s/2684/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

In this episode of Exploration Crochet, ReRe kicks off a new deep-dive series on crochet innovations by tackling the craft’s most universal—and frustrating—beginning. We’ll explore the "Achilles' Heel" of crochet: the starting chain. This episode of Exploration Crochet traces the evolution of the starting chain and the rise of chainless foundation stitches like FSC and FDC. Host ReRe explores why the starting chain "won" the historical format war and why it took over 150 years to find a better alternative. We highlight the work of technical maverick Bill Elmore and designer Doris Chan, who fought editorial resistance to modernize pattern publishing. Learn why the transition to foundation stitches revolutionized garment making and how you can use 200 years of technical development in your next project…without “canceling” the classic chain. So, let’s dive into Crochet Unchained: The Evolution of Starting. Foundation Crochet Links | FSC - https://youtu.be/WNkjb7QMcWk?si=u_0wy_0JrjfHv3m6 FHDC - https://youtu.be/fFKdw7_reM8?si=EhU31i4WjKaEH6qz FDC - https://youtu.be/NSNSrGqEW7g?si=rmWQQ3V8b_lkJ-e_ FTC - https://youtu.be/MlCQIB17BE0?si=iFp9l_AsaUmB1wB- Sound Attributions | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html Synthesizer Echo Plinks 1 by ani_music -- https://freesound.org/s/165317/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Synthesizer Echo Plinks 2 by ani_music -- https://freesound.org/s/165316/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

In the Season 2 premiere of Exploration Crochet, ReRe officially introduces herself with a crochet creator Q&A inspired by Rachel from The Faded Wildflower Crochet YouTube channel. ReRe shares how she learned to crochet at 8 or 9 years old—three stitches, one spirally hair tie, and a lifelong love of making. You’ll hear why ReRe refuses to pick a single “favorite thing” to crochet (because the answer is basically… yes), what yarn she’d choose if “forever” means a zombie-apocalypse-level forever, and the one project she can’t see herself ever starting, let alone finishing. ReRe also talks about where her inspiration really comes from—history, math, science, stories, events, pop culture, and especially the 5 W’s. She shares a favorite recent make as well as her thoughts on the best and worst things about crochet - they are the same. Plus, an important community call: the Yarn Over Hook Network is building The Colossal Crochet Yarn Crawl of 2026, and ReRe is collecting crochet-friendly local yarn shops nationwide for a future, passport-style event complete with patterns, goodies, and yarn joy—because crocheters belong everywhere. Links mentioned | Rachel - The Faded Wildflower Crochet (Q&A inspiration) | https://youtu.be/8Iorqsy_DjoFree pattern link | Curly Cue Tie | https://tinyurl.com/curlycuetieColossal Crochet Yarn Crawl of 2026 info + where to submit shops | https://yarnoverhook.com/crochet-yarn-crawl/ Sound Attribution | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.htmlJazz Fusion Bossa Nova Vibe by NomisYlad -- https://freesound.org/s/822784/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

In this episode of Exploration Crochet, host ReRe takes a thoughtful look at the first four episodes of Game of Wool: Finding Britain’s Best Knitter, exploring what the show gets right and wrong about knitting, crochet, and craft culture on TV. Speaking as a crocheter-who-has-knit, a non-Brit, and a non–reality-show person, she unpacks the title, the “new generation of knitters” tagline, and the way crochet is folded under “knitting.” ReRe walks listeners through each challenge—highlighting where crochet shines and where the format distorts how these crafts actually work. She also looks at the production side: extreme time limits, yarn choices, editing tricks, casting decisions, and the lack of clarity about compensation and intellectual property rights for contestant designs. Throughout, she balances critique with appreciation, celebrating the imagination and innovation of the makers while reminding listeners that “everything isn’t for everybody”. Links | Episode 1 | https://youtu.be/k4FokKLplvY Episode 2 | https://youtu.be/dZD40mA-rMg Episode 3 | https://youtu.be/yfWwzxBoPto Episode 4 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y1Ai4Nn1dM Exploration Crochet | https://explorationcrochet.com BBC4 Presser | https://www.channel4.com/press/news/more4-cast-new-competitive-knitting-series-game-wool Channel 4  Applicant Request | https://www.channel4.com/4viewers/takepart/game-of-wool Stuart | The Woolpatch | https://www.youtube.com/@TheWoolpatch Janie Crow | https://www.janiecrow.com/ Shetland Organization of Knitters | https://explorationcrochet.com/p/the-game-of-wool-wk1-shetland-organization Prudence Mapstone: Scrumble | https://www.knotjustknitting.com/freeform/ Sound Attribution | https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html Morphagene Reel - Glockenspiel Rubber Mallet.wav by radiohummingbird -- https://freesound.org/s/635381/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

In “Twisted Sisters: S, Z, and Your Crochet Sanity,” ReRe unpacks the hidden world of S and Z twist and why it almost never appears on the label. You’ll learn how S and Z twist developed through industrial spinning, why most commercial yarns are still S-twist by default, and how that history accidentally left crocheters out of the design conversation. ReRe explains how twist direction interacts differently with right-handed and left-handed crochet, why some yarns split, fuzz, and “fight back,” and how different fibers—wool, cotton, acrylic, and shiny plant-based yarns—behave under each twist. The episode also explores why more crochet influencers haven’t launched Z-twist lines, touching on mills, minimums, risk, and discontinued favorites. By the end, you’ll know how to spot S or Z in seconds, match twist to your hands and project, and stop blaming your tension when it might actually be physics messing with your crochet sanity. SOUND ATTRIBUTION https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html https://pixabay.com/users/brolefilmer-24731381/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=12315 https://pixabay.com/users/tunetank-50201703/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=348895 Happy Music.wav by monkeyman535 -- https://freesound.org/s/326639/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 https://pixabay.com/users/lkoliks-48415707/? utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=419356

“Weight a Minute: An Exploration of Yarn Weights and Whys” demystifies yarn weight systems for crocheters, connecting industrial terms like tex, denier, and Nm to everyday labels like DK, Worsted, and Bulky. ReRe explains why yarn labels differ across countries, how to use WPI and swatching for smart yarn substitution, and shares a simple five-step checklist so your projects keep their intended fit and drape. Listeners also get access to a free Yarn Weight Conversion Sheet PDF to make shopping and stash-diving easier. Yarn Weight Conversion Chart - https://explorationcrochet.com/p/yarn-weight-conversion-chart Craft Yarn Council - https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/aboutcyca.html Sound Attribution: https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html telephone.wav by iut_Paris8 -- https://freesound.org/s/570274/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Number Song Music https://pixabay.com/users/matthewmikemusic-25386219/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=233460 Number, 12 Times https://pixabay.com/users/aicanvas-5347436/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=300089 This Old Man https://pixabay.com/users/matthewmikemusic-25386219/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=373880

Episode 10 of Exploration Crochet asks: Acrylic yarn—superhero or super villain? ReRe traces acrylic’s origin from 1940s lab fiber (polyacrylonitrile/PAN) to 1950s brands like Orlon®, explaining how it’s spun, crimped, and dope-dyed for bright, colorfast, machine-washable results. You’ll learn where acrylic shines—afghans, granny-square throws, amigurumi, donation and outdoor projects—and where to rethink (high-heat kitchen use, hot-climate garments). The episode balances benefits (affordable, warmth without weight, reliable dye lots) with tradeoffs (pilling in budget grades, thermoplastic heat sensitivity, microfiber shedding) plus practical blocking and laundry tips. Verdict: acrylic isn’t hero or villain—it’s a fit-for-purpose tool that democratized cozy color.

Step into the flickering candlelight of Exploration Crochet for “The Ties That Bind — Fiber Arts, Folklore, and Magic.” In this Halloween special, host ReRe unravels the myths and mysteries spun through history’s threads — from Celtic knots and Slavic storm-binding to the Greek Fates, the Norse Norns, and the Navajo Spider Woman. Discover how cultures across centuries believed yarn, string, and fabric could shape fate, summon protection, or seal a promise. Then watch that legacy come alive in modern crochet, where each loop becomes an act of creativity, connection, and quiet courage. With stories of witch’s ladders, red-string lovers, and the tapestry from Brave, this episode celebrates the universal truth behind every stitch: we create the world together, one loop at a time. Check out the curated reading list: The Ties That Bind: Fiber Arts, Folklore, & Magic sound attribution Music Box For Suspenseful Scenes by ViraMiller --https://freesound.org/s/742115/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Irish Field Men Female Choir Drone Myst Fantasy Atmo Mastered.wav by szegvari -- https://freesound.org/s/619179/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Half-speed! Airy wind chimes quintet at Hunter's Tor, Teign Gorge by Philip_Goddard -- https://freesound.org/s/700669/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 NEPTUN-Solo-07 Tibetan Singing Bowl by the_very_Real_Horst -- https://freesound.org/s/240934/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

In this episode of Exploration Crochet, ReRe takes listeners on a fiber-filled road trip through the world of Yarn Crawls — community-driven events where crafters visit multiple local yarn shops armed with hooks, passports, and plenty of enthusiasm. From the origins of the crawl tradition to the first official LYS tours in the late 2000s, we explore how these creative adventures connect makers and strengthen the fiber community. Along the way, ReRe highlights global yarn crawls from the U.S. to South America, where shop-hopping and skein-squishing turn travel into craft celebration. You’ll learn what makes a successful crawl — from prizes and passports to trunk shows, demos, and charity tie-ins — and get practical tips for first-time crawlers. At its heart, this episode reminds us that every yarn crawl is about connection, creativity, and the shared joy of discovering fiber together. Yarn Over Hook Crochet Yarn Crawl 2026 | https://yarnoverhook.com/crochet-yarn-crawl/ SOUND ATTRIBUTION: https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html Golden Era of Silent Film - Music by https://pixabay.com/users/pilot2kid-23069762/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=336699 Funny Happy Melody - Music by https://pixabay.com/users/pilot2kid-23069762/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=346934 Spring in Your Step - Music by https://pixabay.com/users/grumpynora-14374548/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=352055 Creepy Trip – Gypsy Jazz - Music by https://pixabay.com/users/artmanzh-3855363/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=330441 record scratch.wav by luffy -- https://freesound.org/s/3536/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

In Twisted Tales: Frogging Crochet Stereotypes, host ReRe unravels the myths that have long tangled around crochet and the people who practice it. From the outdated “grandma’s hobby” image to gender stereotypes, and undervaluing of handmade work - this episode challenges every threadbare assumption. Listeners will hear how crochet bridges generations, cultures, and creative disciplines while resisting labels that try to box it in. Warm, witty, and enlightening, this episode redefines what it means to be part of the global crochet community. Sound Attribution: https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html Funny Background Music Orchestra (Loop) by Migfus20 -- https://freesound.org/s/561390/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Funny music (orchestra) .wav by Darkash28 -- https://freesound.org/s/529967/ --License: Creative Commons 0 Numskull by Beetlemuse -- https://freesound.org/s/650939/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Walking LA by vollkornbrot -- https://freesound.org/s/371976/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0

Step right up friends, ReRe is taking you on a stroll through the exhibition halls where crochet has shined for more than 170 years. From the lace collars of the 1850s to the amigurumi dragons of today, fairs have showcased crochet’s blend of precision, creativity, and heart. Along the way, you’ll hear how 4-H and Girl Scouts kept the craft alive for young makers, how yarn companies and magazines turned everyday crocheters into national prizewinners, and how modern fairs celebrate originality as much as skill. With stops at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the 2025 LA County Fair, this episode stitches together a story of evolution, artistry, and community pride. Grab your fair pass and make room for funnel cake—it’s time to celebrate crochet’s long love affair with the fair. Accompanying Blog | https://yarnoverhook.com/loops-lace-funnel-cakes/ To see Alexis Kavro's fair entries check out REMY A CRAFTY HEDGEHOG - https://www.remyacraftyhedgehog.com/pastexhibitions Sound Attributions | CAMPTOWN RACES (Stephen Foster)  Camptown Races - Freedom Trail Studio -youtube.com/audiolibrary/music THE ENTERTAINER  (SCOTT JOPLIN) royalty free Music produced by Giorgio Di Campo for @FreeSound Music http://freesoundmusic.eu Farming Game Theme by TheLastOneOnEarth -- https://freesound.org/s/800496/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Sunshine Humdrum by Markusheadroom -- https://freesound.org/s/796442/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

At just over 200 years old crochet, the “new kid” of thread crafts, learned from its elders—especially the rustic bridge of Shepherd’s Knitting—and stepped into its own in the early 1800s. It leapt from tambour embroidery’s on-fabric chains to free-loop fabric you could build anywhere with just a hook and yarn. In famine-era Ireland, lacework became both livelihood and art, then traveled with immigrants to homes across the Americas and beyond. Over time it settled beside quilting and knitting, shaping heirlooms, wardrobes, and community projects across classes and cultures. The 1960s–70s revived it in riotous color with Granny Squares, while Japan reimagined it as amigurumi. Today, online stitch-alongs, tutorials, and pattern marketplaces keep the circle global and always open. Crochet thrives because it’s accessible, adaptable, and community-driven—one hook, one strand, endless ways to belong. Accompanying blog | https://yarnoverhook.com/humanitys-tale-of-loops-knots-thread/ SOUND ATTRIBUTION: Music Box - J. S. Bach - Menuet by Flying_Deer_Fx --https://freesound.org/s/369404/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Irish Whistle.mp3 by nigelnix --https://freesound.org/s/130108/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Sci-Fi Gateway by Bachsambora --https://freesound.org/s/752034/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 SunixMuz - Bravery (Opening, trailer, epic music, Free CCBY) by SunixMuz --https://freesound.org/s/767839/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 https://dova-s.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html

The Granny Square is more than just a crochet motif—it’s a cultural icon. In this episode of Exploration Crochet, ReRe takes us on a journey through the history, evolution, and surprising staying power of the Granny Square. This humble motif has proven itself timeless-- reinvented across decades of fashion, home decor, and fiber art. From its early appearances in Victorian pattern books to its explosion on the runways of the 1960s and 70s, the Granny Square has always found a way to stay fresh. We’ll explore its global revival fueled by the internet, its modern transformations into 3D flowers and daring festival wear, and even the darker side of machine-made imitations and underpaid labor. Along the way, we’ll imagine a “what if”: how much money Granny could have made if the motif had been copyrighted. Ultimately, the Granny Square isn’t just a pattern—it’s a shared cultural treasure, reminding us all that, L-7 aside, it’s hip to be square. Sound Attributions: double bass happy hillbilly blues by elzozo – https://freesound.org/s/613388/-- License: Creative Commons 0 loopable excerpt#2 of szegvari's freesound 667103.flac by Timbre --https://freesound.org/s/667183/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 Abstract Pop Electronica (loop ver.1) by AudioCoffee https://freesound.org/s/745334/ --License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 https://dovas.jp/EN/_contents/author/profile162.html