Crochet Patterns for a Mori Girl

I might have mentioned before, but the first craft I learned was crochet. It's the fiber craft I would suggest learning first. It's pretty simple and easier to learn than knitting at first, because you only have to worry about one hook and not two needles. I learned the basics from my grandma years ago, but there are a few books out there that do a good job explaining the basic stitches and now there are endless videos on Youtube if you need a visual.

To inspire people to pick up crochet and for those Mori Folk who already have the skill, I put together some crochet patterns to expand your Mori wardrobe. 

I find a cute sun hat for the summer is a must and if you are having a hard time finding one, here's a cute crochet one that doesn't need to be starched.  My girl hat.

I it can be hard to find cardigan patterns in crochet that look good. This one avoids the stiffness crochet can get with cute lace patterns that crochet excels at, which is always welcome in a Mori closet. Ariane cardigan.

These are a cute household item. The lacy leaf coasters could also be used as a bookmark.  Leaf Coasters.

Lace shawls are great any time of the year, but are one of the few items that can really add a Mori flare to a summer outfit without cooking you in the heat. Wild Hearts shawl.

I love this vest. I made one for myself this summer out of some DK yarn I got in Peru and it goes great over all of my summer dresses. The yarn was alpaca so it should do well as a early spring vest too and keep me a bit warm. Seashell vest.

This one isn't a free pattern like most of the other ones, but it's so Mori that I had to put it one here. I can't wait to get time to make one myself! Long Hooded Cape.

These collar are so dainty and would be a fun accessory to add to different outfits. They are good intermediate projects, because they work up fast. Lacy collar and Party collar.

Here in California, these crochet tops are really popular. They don't exactly go with the typical Mori style, but you can put them over dresses to add more style without too much insulation. I wear them with skirts and linen shorts in the summer, because typical Mori doesn't work with the heat here and I have to get creative. Crochet Camisol.

Have you guys come across any particularly Mori crochet patterns? Interested in trying one of these? I'll post another like this of Knit patterns soon =].

Mori Lifestyle

I love the fact that Mori attempts to be a lifestyle not just a fashion. For a subculture fashion, there is likely a reason people are drawn to it over mainstream fashion. I feel this is often, because of the set of values a fashion expresses. For example, the punk fashion is a whole subculture that has values and other things connected to it, other than the way you dress. Or the bohemian style that has become so popular, yes it's mostly about how you dress, but the people dressing that way like it, because of the values it expresses, like easy-goingness.

I think the "Mori Rules" are an attempt at making Mori a lifestyle. In my opinion not a great attempt, but an attempt none the less. These rules I thing did succeed in making it more that just clothes, but a full aesthetic, which is getting there. The rules were more of a description of the "ideal" Mori girl, but that won't fit anyone in particular and isn't what makes a lifestyle.

The whole got me thinking about lifestyles and what makes someone life one way over another. I realized it is a persons values that dictate how someone lives or wants to life. For example, if you value honesty, this will likely cause you to interact with others in a certain way. Because of this value you refuse to lie to someone, this may affect you in other ways too. Like you may not take certain actions that you would not want to tell anyone about, because you don't want to feel the desire to lie to someone. As you add more values they begin to interact and this creates more changes to how a person chooses to live. When many people hold similar values this becomes a shared "lifestyle".

I think this is where the "Mori Rules" fall short. They are not describing values, but hobbies, clothes, looks, ect. These are the expressions of values and may be different between each person, even if they values are the same. The value of honesty for example could be expressed by not lying or it could be expressed by not deceiving in anyway, action or by spoken word. If you only include people who express their value of honest by not speaking a lie, you cut out a lot of people who should still be included.

So, I have decided to write up the values I think are part of the Mori lifestyle. The ones I connect to and try to express through my life and my fashion. I will also include different tips/examples of how these values may be expressed, in case you're interested =].

Nature:
This is expressed in many way in the Mori subculture, from enjoying walks in the woods, to preferring natural fibers, to wanting to wear floral fabrics. This may also be affecting hobbies, like handcrafts or cooking, because they connect you with the natural world and help to ease the negative effects industry has on it.

Beauty:
It is clear in every picture or visual we have of Mori that beauty in all things is important. Whether it's a purse dress, shoes or everyday item, Mori folk want the things in their lives to be beautiful.

Independence:
I put this one in here, because of the general feeling I get from the idea of Mori. Someone living out in a old forest. This speaks to independence from society, the rushing pace of cities, the consumerism of industry, and also the ability to someone or thing to stand up on it's own.

Gentleness/kindness:
This value really seeps into every part of the Mori culture. From what colors are worn to how someone acts or looks at the rest of the world. I think this is expressed in the calm mannerisms of the Mori girl and even the idea of taking your time for things. I certainly don't feel gentle when I'm rushing around trying to get chores or errands done.

Practicality:
I think this is express in the clothes themselves more than anything. Clothes that are comfortable, shoe that you can hike in, ect. I think when you mix it with the value of beauty it's really special. Not to have things that are just useful, but also beautiful and vise versa.

Calm:
I'm not sure if this one is a value itself or just an expression of gentleness, but it's such a large part of the Mori culture that I don't think it hurts to mention it twice. I feel the calm value comes from the idea of befriending forest animals, if your not calm you will never even see them.

Comfort:
I think this is basically gentleness, but towards yourself. To be kind and gentle to yourself, that's basically your own comfort. In my mind this is another extension of the gentleness value.

Home:
This is an extension of the  comfort value. Home is the place you feel most comfortable and therefore is highly valued. This is expressed by home-based hobbies, or careful decorating of the home.

Consideration:
This is also another extension of the gentleness value, because can you really be kind and gentle to something without considering it? I don't think so. For Mori Folk and their love of nature this value is extended beyond just humans, but to other creatures as well. How far it goes will likely depend on the person.

Here is a list of mine that follow the values above and are expressions of the value. I wrote them in a
way that matches the original "rules".


Works toward understanding and belonging in the woods.

You love things that are practical and beautiful.

Things that have stood the test of time are the best.

Consumerism is not your thing.

Making things for yourself or handmade by others.

Natural materials are preferred and synthetic ones are avoided as much as possible.

Gentle colors are preferred over intense ones, as are rich colors, neons are bad.

Floral fabrics are used often.

Comfort in clothes is valued above other things.

Different textures are used in outfits.

Calm is an important quality.

Fairy tales are enjoyed and inspire you.

You love to cook and eat at home.

Spring sun naps are a seasonal delight.

You enjoy the little riches of each season as it comes.

The feeling of soft giggles is how you would like be to all the time.

You aim to be majestic as a animal of the forest.

You aim to be soothing like a breeze through the meadow.

You aim to be considerate and respectful of all things in the forest, from a small spider to the racing
river.

Lace is great.

Skirts and dresses are the most fun.

Full skirt and ruffles are your favorite.

Symbols of nature, flowers, animals, are often depicted in you clothes.

Nothing keeps you from your walks in the woods, not rain, or heat, they are all part of the wonder. 



So what do you guys think? Would you add any values to the list? How do you express your Mori
values?