third space: Project Patchwork with Kelly Limerick

1.                  What is Project Patchwork?

Project Patchwork by NUS Centre For the Arts together with Artist Kelly Limerick is a large-scale collaborative crochet installation that will be housed at the Living Arts Lab upon completion. It will comprise filet crochet pieces and doilies made by students and staff.

2.                  Where will this installation be?

It will be at the Living Arts Lab, Level 3 of Stephen Riady Centre, outside the NUS Centre for the Arts Office. You can access it via the lift (3rd floor via the purple lift).

We aim to transform this area into a communal space where students can study, make art and feel comfortable in, surrounded by crochet made by students! This will be a permanent art installation, and we hope it will grow with more contributions.

3.                  How can I be a part of Project Patchwork?

Make a filet crochet square of 21x21 squares in a grid, or 1 of the 3 square doily patterns provided (you can refer to the guide pinned in the telegram chat) and drop them off in the box outside the CFA office on Level 3 of Stephen Riady Centre. (Go to L3 via the cargo lift and exit. The box is right opposite). Do label them with your name, so you can be credited for your contribution.

4.                  I don’t have my own yarn and hooks. Do I have to buy them?

You may get them for free at the CFA office (but please use them to contribute to the installation!). Please email leemichr@nus.edu.sg.

5.                  Is there a deadline?

We will be accepting submissions until end of November 2025.

6.                  Will there be any credit given for submissions?

Yes, we will have list of contributors on a plaque at the exhibition site (Living Arts Lab at Stephen Riady Centre L3), and on third space’s Instagram page.

7.                  Who is leading the project and when will it be complete?

We have engaged Kelly Limerick, an artist specializing in crochet to direct the installation (http://kellyjinmei.com). She will conduct 3 workshops with CFA, each teaching different content (Feb, Aug, Oct 2025), before putting together the installation in Dec 2025.

8.                  What if I have missed any of the workshops?

No worries! The notes of what was covered in the first 2 workshops are pinned our Telegram chat group, which you can join here: https://t.me/+CxHGbBjYXUY4NzQ1

9.                  Is there a requirement for hook and yarn?

Hook size 2.00-2.5mm should be used for the best effect of the lace pattern.

Sock, Sport, or DK yarn (cotton and acrylic preferred)

10.              How do I make the filet crochet? Can I just Google the instructions?

There are many ways online, but we are using 2Ch between each DC for SPACES and 4DC per BLOCK (+3DC for subsequent ones if made in a row). This is the traditional way of filet crochet and creates a more obvious pattern.

11.              Can I make bigger filet crochet pieces?

Yes, you may join up many squares (21 x 21 square grid). In that case, you may also remove the solid border that is required for individual squares

12.              Why do we need to do a border for each square?

This gives each square better structure when joining up.

13.              I have run out of provided yarn. Can I submit a half-completed piece?

Please approach CFA for more yarn of the same color. If the piece is incomplete, we might not be able to include it in the final installation.

14.              Is it ok if my doilies and filet crochet squares are different size?

Yes, that’s fine. We will join it up in a random way, inspired by Korean ‘Jogakbo’ patchwork

15.              Do I need to block my pieces?

It would be great if you can block them before submission, if you know how. Otherwise, we can also block the pieces for you.

16.              I have more questions! Who can I ask?

Please join our dedicated Telegram group which includes Kelly, here: https://t.me/+CxHGbBjYXUY4NzQ1. You may ask questions directly in the group. You may also email leemichr@nus.edu.sg