Elise Rowland

Year of birth: 1997.
Where do you live: South Carolina.
Your education: Winthrop University.
Describe your art in three words: Vibrant, Fun, Personal.
Website | Instagram

Can you share what initially inspired you to start crocheting in late 2021, and what made you persist despite initial frustrations?

If I remember correctly, I purchased a few crochet cardigans on Etsy in late 2021. I was trying to build my wardrobe a little more for my job. I’ve honestly always wanted to create clothing of some sort, whether it was going to be from sewing, knitting, crochet, or something else! Crochet is the easiest in my opinion. What made me persist despite initial frustrations was the desire to prove to myself that I could do it. I’m always trying to prove that I have the capability to do anything I set my mind to. 

How does your crochet work, such as “Waffle House Date,” differ in process and concept from your other art forms like acrylic painting and digital art?

Obviously traditional painting, crochet, and digital art are completely different mediums, but the process begins the same way. I see something that creates a spark of inspiration within me and I go straight to brainstorming. As for the concepts, my traditional and digital work will reference all sorts of things such as pop culture, my own personal life, pop art, and more. At first my crochet work was just fashion, plushies, and miscellaneous items. With my pieces “Ellie” and my One Direction cardigan, I’ve branched out into pop culture references. The processes and concepts are quite the same, they’re just expressed in different ways!

Elise Rowland | Waffle House Date | 2024

Could you describe the creative process behind “Waffle House Date”? What message or story were you hoping to convey through this piece?

The creative process was unique with this piece. I had already created the waffle for a separate project I never finished. Honestly, this piece meant nothing when I started creating it. I made it in a time crunch when I decided to join my artists’ guild’s December member show. I chose to make a plate of Waffle House food because of the already-made waffle piece, but also because it would be easy and recognizable. Everything on the plate is what I usually order: grilled cheese, waffles, becon, hash browns, and a side of pickles (not always all of this food but always pickles!). It was always there for me after marching band competitions, college, adulthood, and for all the impromptu hang-outs with friends and dates with partners. Waffle House has been a constant in my life, so I thought it would be a good muse. 

“Ellie” was inspired by the video game character from The Last of Us. How do you approach combining pop culture references with your artistic vision? 

I really try not to copy things entirely when it comes to approaching references. Like with traditional art, I’m personally not a huge fan of realism. Sure there’s a great deal of technical skills required for that kind of work, but there’s rarely any creativity or individuality. I made “Ellie” for one of my good friends as a gift. I knew I wanted Ellie’s face from The Last of Us 2 video game promo, so I chose to create a tapestry instead of a detailed painting or something digital. The tapestry is not detailed at all as I only used 4 colors, but I think this adds to the uniqueness of the piece and you can still tell that it’s Ellie. 

Elise Rowland | 1D | 2024

The One Direction-themed cardigan for your sister is a unique project. What challenges do you face when creating wearable art, and how does it differ from your other crochet projects?

Wearable art can be a paradise or a prison haha! Wearables need measurements, sturdy but comfortable yarn, the correct number of stitches, and so many hours of weaving in yarn-ends! I enjoy making things for myself because I know what I like, I know what works for me, and there’s no pressure. If I create wearables for anyone else, I create unnecessary anxiety for myself. Other crochet projects like plushies and accessories are great because there aren’t as many expectations. 

How has being part of an artist guild influenced your crochet journey and your approach to creating art?

Being part of the artists’ guild has given me motivation to experiment with my crochet work because I’m surrounded by incredibly talented artists with various mediums. They give me the confidence to explore the crochet world in an unconventional way. To be honest, my Waffle House piece is the first crochet piece I’ve created for the artists’ guild! I’m excited to see what lies ahead for me with the artists’ guild and my crochet journey. 

Elise Rowland | Ellie | 2024

What do you find most rewarding about working with crochet compared to other mediums like painting or photography?

The most rewarding part of creating crochet work is genuinely the process. I love the steps of making a granny square bag or a hexagon cardigan. I love the journey of crochet more than actually finishing the project. The repetition of stitches helps regulate my nervous system, and crocheting is almost like always having a fidget toy too! With crochet, I feel like I can always fill my time doing something productive. I also find people’s reactions and appreciation to be one of my favorite parts of the process as well! I enjoy making crochet gifts more than I enjoy making them for money.