Noisy Crochet Workshop
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The Noisy crochet workshop focused on making textile interfaces for altering sound. Each participant crocheted a piece using regular and conductive yarn, which was connected to an oscillator circuit. Stretching or squeezing the crocheted piece changed the pitch due to lowered electrical resistance in the circuit. –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective

Regular woolen yarn and conductive yarn made of silver and nylon were crocheted together to make the interface piece. The conductive yarn that we used was thin and non-stretchy in itself, so combining it with regular wool provided a better interface. –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective

The participants made their crocheted pieces in different shapes and colors. Crocheting is quite a nice technique for quick improvisation of different forms. –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective

Most of the participants had not crocheted before, but with a little bit of concentrated practice the pieces started to emerge. One participant brought an alternative interface with him, which was a lonely mitten found in the streets of Wedding. –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective

The little oscillator circuits had been prepared for the workshop beforehand due to time limitations. So instead of soldering, the participants focused more on finding a good shape and pitch for their noise making apparatus by altering their crocheted piece. In the end the oscillator circuit boards were sewn onto the woolen piece. –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective

Here you can see the oscillator circuit used in the workshop. There are many other similar audio circuits which you can use as well. This one is based on circuits like Drawdio and a noise maker by Bare Conductive. DIY instructions can be found in the eCrafts Collective blog. –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective

Long tube called i-cord works well for a noisy crochet. Usually such tubes are made by knitting, but it is possible to make them also with a crochet hook. –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective

Other forms made buy the participants included rectangular pieces. In such a piece, crocheting conductive yarn only on every second row worked well, as otherwise the electrical resistance was not high enough to produce clearly audible effects. –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective

Once the pieces were almost ready, the peaceful workshop space started to fill up with squeaky sounds as the participants begun to stretch and squeeze their crocheted pieces. –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective

One participant made an extension for his laptop, with which he could express frustrated moods while working. –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective

Some people also made experimental forms with multiple crocheted parts. –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective

Ready to go to the U-bahn to make some noise! –– CC BY / eCrafts Collective