The revival of crochet and the Peruvian tradition of Fiorella Gonzalez

Audio 02:54

Fiorella Gonzalez, art crocheter © Maria Afonso

By: Maria Afonso

7 mins

This month, a series on migration and craftswomen, in partnership with the Fabrique Nomade, which encourages the professional integration of refugees and migrants.

In Peru, Fiorella Gonzalez was in the fashion business.

Keeping her know-how was obvious to her.

She tells us about her passion for the art of crochet.  

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It is first and foremost an idea, a desire, but also my time, my energy.

For me, it's beauty and it's also leaving a mark of what I can do with my hands.  

Crochet hooker Fiorella Gonzalez was born in Lima, where she learned the technique of crochet with her mother and godmother, much like a hobby.

In Peru, she worked in the fashion industry, as a stylist, salesperson and teacher.

After a crochet internship in Cuzco, during which she was amazed by the know-how of women who crochet as a way of life, she decided to make it her profession.

In 2016, she left the commercial side to become a full-time artisan in the art of crochet.  

Demonstration of different crochet techniques © Maria Afonso

Technical recovery and modernization 

She enjoys working with textiles and fibers: wool, cotton, plastic, paper, raffia and metal.  

“With metal we have discovered that we can restructure and work in 3D.

I wanted to talk a bit about the crochet tradition.

I went into this delirium of the gates of the Sun of Machu Picchu in Peru, of the gates of the Moon of the Inca temples ... I wanted to make a quick object to make, usable in several ways.

I thought of a style of weaving called "Amarres": it is a unique weaving that women in community do with symbols and it has become a contemporary piece of jewelry similar to a small sculpture.

 "

hook with reclaimed plastic © Maria Afonso

Passion and discipline 

For 

Fiorella Gonzalez

, crochet is a family story, a dream job, a universal art.

But beyond passion, it has also become a discipline.  

I dedicate my life to this passion, to building, making connections and working with other women.

It has also become a science for me, a discipline.

Because it is not only doing in order to do, it has become my profession.

I do tests, I keep the errors, it's very important because we can have even more imagination and arrive at an even more beautiful result

 ”

,

concludes Fiorella Gonzalez.

Moorings collection by Fiorella Gonzalez © Maria Afonso

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Fiorella Gonzalez, art crocheter © Maria Afonso

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