Solitaire Mochila CAL 2021

Hello everyone!!

We are back with a new crochet along!! This one is going to be super fun and exciting!! We have an out of the normal, new technique and style of crochet this time and it is hosted by Rosy of MNHcrochetcreation!!

So what are we exploring this CAL?? Why ofcourse its Mochila crochet!!

Want to know how to participate and register Scroll to the end of the post!

Dont know what Mochila Crochet is or what to do in it?? Fear not, We are here along with Rosy to help, guide and explain everything about it!!

Before we dive into the details of the CAL lets first hear a little from our host – Rosiland Bakshi.

Hello,

My name is Rosy Bakshi short for Rosalind. Just a very small introduction about myself.

I am a mother of two. My son Mayank is 26 years old and daughter Hina is 18 years old. I work for an airline for the past 25 years.

I have always been very interested in handwork. It can be anything, whether it is any paper artwork like quilling, making envelops or gift bags or thread work like embroidery and cross stitch. I had no knowledge about knitting or crochet. I learnt crochet and knitting from YouTube in order to teach my daughter for her school project. That was 3 years back. My family members and close friends saw my work and encouraged me to start this work professionally. Without thinking too much about the success of my work, I created a Facebook page on 8^th March (Women’s Day) and named it after my children M & H Crochet Creation.

I love colours so whenever I see any Crochet work with lots of colours, I immediately get very fascinated by it. I came across Mochila work 3 years back and wanted to try it but was very intimidated by the complicated designs and beautiful work created by so many artists as I was a beginner then. It took me 2 years to finally try it and all thanks to Marion Verloop and her weekly CAL (Crochet along) that I was able to learn (very slowly). I am yet to master this art completely, hence, I should be the last person to take up a CAL for Indiayarncirle group, but having said that, I also believe that its better to share whatever I know about this beautiful art with everyone rather than do nothing at all. Besides, Indiayarncircle’s main objective is to help others learn all kinds of yarn related art. I managed to create a simple Mochila Clutch pattern so that everyone can start with a simple and small pattern before venturing out to try bigger projects. My Solitaire Mochila Clutch pattern is coming your way soon.

History of Wayuu Mochila Crochet:

Mochila is a Spanish word which meant “backpack” 

Wayúu are best known for the beautiful and colourful crochet textiles created by women. They even have a popular saying: “To be a woman is to know how to weave.” 

The most common woven creations are the mochilas, small bags, made of colourful yarn with intricate patterns and motifs. Through the motifs, the weaver shares their cosmological view of the universe, and their traditions. The techniques are passed from generation to generation of women, making it one of the primary traditional aspects of the tribe, included as a rite of passage. Mochilas, chinchorros (hammocks), and other woven creations, have become a means of economical income for Wayuu women who sell them to tourists or people outside their tribe. The mochilas have raised awareness of the tribe, as well as the critical conditions they face.

If you have ever travelled to the Caribbean, you may see Mochilas on exhibit in vendors and most of you will recognize they are not like a cheap purse. 

What Is Wayuu Crochet?

If you have ever done tapestry crochet, you have partially trained already. Primarily single crochet, but you can use other stitches too, you carry the unused yarn strands under the working stitches. So, there are no bobbins associated with colour switching. As you need to change colour, you need to pull up the colour you need and place the existing colour under the next stitch.

Wayuu Crochet is not a quick going process. It is slow going and intricate. The end results are second to none. It can take 2 weeks up to one full month for a person to weave a single bag depending on the complexity of the design and skill of the weaver. Weaving these bags takes great dedication from these Wayuu women and really shows how devoted they are to their craft! Today, the Wayuu bags are a crucial part of the Wayuu economy and means for financial support, which enables them to preserve their culture, traditions, and way of life.

Mochila art is similar to tapestry. Difference between them is:

• In Mochila single crochet is done only at the back loop whereas in tapestry you do a full single crochet.
• Also, if you have ever submitted your work at Marion’s Facebook group, you will promptly be corrected by her saying “keep your stitches small and tight” the reason for this is that all the yarns you carry is well hidden. In tapestry you can keep your stitches close but it’s not something that you have to be particular about.

How to understand Mochila techniques?

Please do watch all the Tutorials hosted by Marion Verloop. English is not Marion’s first language but she does an excellent job for us to understand her. We will be putting up all the links along with our weekly pattern so that it’s easy for all of you to understand. 

Now lets check out the material list. Since the quantities are lesser you could dive into your own stash and scraps to work on this project!

Level

Easy/ Beginner

Material List

Mercerized Cotton Yarn. (I am using White Rose Cotton Yarn from Crochet Bella. You can use Laura Yarn, Gulera 4 Ply, Anchor 4060, Kotton 4 ply from Magic Needles, Mercerized Cotton yarn from Yarnkart.

Scissor

Zip for Bag – 18/20 cm

Lining Material (optional)

Hook Size

2mm

It is extremely important that you do not use hook size bigger than 2.5mm because you will want to keep your stitches close and tight.

Colours and Yardage

Note: The above colour index is just an example. The project uses 8 colours but you can use 4 to 5 colours too. Please use your imagination and use any colour combination of your choice.

Schedule of the CAL

We will start the Solitaire Mochila Clutch CAL on the 10^th of May, 2021. The first week is for Registration and material gathering.

Week 1              –            17^th May,2021

Week 2               –            31^st May,2021

Week 3               –            7^th June Submission of Complete Bag pictures to indiayarncircle@gmail.com

How to Participate:

Register yourself on the page below

Join our facebook group!

Follow us on instagram for all the updates!

Use the hashtag #mochilacal2021 #solitairemochilacal and tag us @indiayarn.circle and @mnhcrochetcreation.