Cat Mad Crochet

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Estimated time spent re-watching Bright Star over and over and then dreaming of the crochet: A lifetime

It was the sort of wet, weird, sad weekend in which I find myself watching Bright Star again. Fine. Truth be told, I watched it twice. This time, though, I set myself the task of trying to get photos of every bit of Sophie Digard’s crochet that crossed my screen. Quite frankly, it’s a lot; however, I have to tell you that it’s almost as if they weren’t trying to capture every bit of exquisite crochet in its very best light, which is a shame because they must have paid a small fortune for all of it. 

Some of the images I captured are out of focus, blurred from movement, and even obscured by other things. The audacity! There are, of course, the oddities my own old television added to the mix. Please excuse the weird graininess. I did try to get pictures while watching it on my phone but there are apparently anti-piracy protocols that make it impossible to get photos of movies, or at least of this movie, when played on your phone on Prime. Anyway, I found a bunch of crocheted things and I present them here so that you, too, can marvel at their excellence. 

1. The Fanny sweater that everyone talks about

This is the sweater you get if you look up “Bright Star movie sweater” on Pinterest. It is a stunning sweater. There are literally thousands of tiny, intricate, multicolored motifs in this sweater. The end weaving may have taken longer than the crocheting. It is stunning and well worth the copious attention it gets. It shows up very early in the movie, and I think that is why it catches everyone’s attention. In its scene, Fanny is quietly sewing, and, so, there is time to focus on the clothing and notice the glory of this sweater. Later in the movie, I think the other pieces of crochet get missed as people get swept up into the plot. I understand this, I’ve done it myself as this particular re-watching session has revealed, but it’s worth paying attention.

2. The Toots wrap

I suspect this is also Toots’ wrap but worn by Fanny

I think these are the same narrow, rectangular shawl. It appears first on Toots as a crossed wrap that is laced together in the back. Second, Fanny wears it draped around her shoulder and tied in the front. This is the sort of Digard work they sell in the stores. It is just perfect. I do wish we saw Fanny crafting one of these. She only ever sews. As only she and Toots ever wear crochet, it is implied that she makes it, so I wish they showed her crocheting.

Beyond the glory of seeing crochet worked on the big screen, I do have reasons for wanting to see Fanny crocheting, and they are somewhat selfish. I have seen several comments on posts about the clothing in Bright Star that argue it can’t be crochet. They argue for fabric yo-yos and other nonsense. I think if the movie showed Fanny crocheting, it would drive the point home and make it easier for the rest of us arguing for the wonders of crochet. 

3. Fanny’s scarf

I think this is a different scarf/shawl than the last one because the color is different. The last scarf/shawl was predominantly in oranges and red. This one is worked in more blues and lighter shades. I could be wrong, but I’m going to argue this is the second shawl/scarf we see. 

4. Toots’ sweater

The second Digard sweater has made itself known! Toots wears this several times throughout the movie. I have seen arguments for this being a knitted garment, but I don’t think so. In a movie where so much of Digard’s work is showcased, this makes sense as yet another example. In addition, when you can actually get close to the television and watch in a way I cannot recreate with a phone and an old television, you can see the crochet stitches.

5. Fanny’s second sweater

I did not realize there was a second crocheted sweater until this watching. I am embarrassed for myself! It’s very clearly Digard’s work, and it is stunning! In the second photo, if you look carefully, you can see the crochet stitches. This can be no other medium. I do not know why this sweater doesn’t get attention on social media or on posts about crochet in the movie. It is an amazing sweater. Possibly, dare I say, more stunning than the first sweater? The colors work beautifully together; the hexagons are perfectly made; the fit is a lesson in mastercraft. This sweater deserves more love! Digard outdid herself making the garments for this movie. I wonder why we don’t see more of her work in other movies? 

6. A possible shawlette sighting on Toots

I could be reaching here, but I would like to make an argument that this could be a little crocheted neckerchief. It appears only briefly and, because Keats has gone and nearly died and has to be carried inside, is obscured by the action of the scene. Honestly, could he not have been so dramatic so that we could appreciate the possible neckerchief? Yes, yes, dying of tuberculosis and all, but there is crochet to be admired. Obviously, I jest, but the action was something I had to contend with to get pictures of the crochet.

Bonus: Fabulous sweaters together

Look how cute: Sisters sitting together, busy with handwork and cats, wearing astonishing sweaters, and being all sorts of fabulous. Does it get better? Bring in antibiotics and the rest of modern medicine; rights for women, brown people, LGBTQ people, and other minorities; central heating and cooling; fairer wages; plumbing; and modern appliances, and I would live there in a heartbeat!

Have you watched this movie? Did I miss something? Please leave a comment and let me know!

Happy crafting!