06 WEEKLY 2026
JULY
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B A L D W I N
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VOL 4 NO. 24 FREE DIGITAL VERSION
N E W S P A P E R
HOOK TO HAUTE COUTURE: Becky F e
BECKY FENDER TURNS CROCHET INTO RUNWAY ART er d n
When most people think of crochet, they picture blankets, scarves or afghans passed down through generations. Becky Fender sees something entirely different. To her, a crochet hook is a design tool capable of creating oneof-a-kind fashion collections, runwayready gowns and wearable works of art. Through her business, Becky’s Fashions, Fender has transformed a lifelong passion into an artistic pursuit that has taken her from Baldwin City to fashion shows across Kansas and beyond. “I realized that crochet could be more than traditional blankets and accessories,” Fender said. “It could be transformed into stylish garments and wearable works of art.” That realization became the foundation of Becky’s Fashions, where every piece is handcrafted and designed to celebrate creativity, individuality and self-expression. Turning Yarn Into Fashion Unlike many fiber artists, Fender creates all of her work using crochet. She also spins her own fiber into yarn, often blending materials from local sources to create textures and colors that make each design unique. “I spin fiber as well to make my own yarn and mix it with fun materials to make it unique,” she said. Her creative process isn’t driven by
patterns or sketches. “Usually it’s in my head,” she said. “I start with one piece and then just go from there until it expands into the work of art itself.” Finding Confidence on the Runway That imaginative approach has led to increasingly elaborate collections, many of which have been showcased in the Lumberyard Arts Center’s Baldwin City Fashion Shows. Seeing one of her original creations walk down the runway for the first time remains one of the defining moments of her artistic journey. “As a crochet fashion designer, I spend countless hours designing, selecting materials and handcrafting each piece,” Fender said. “Watching a model walk down the runway wearing something I created from a simple idea was both exciting and emotional.” She credits those local fashion shows with giving her the confidence to think bigger. “The Baldwin City Fashion Shows encouraged me to push my creativity in new directions,” she said. “They inspired me to experiment with more detailed designs, unique color combinations and to begin thinking in terms of complete collections instead of individual pieces.” That evolution is evident in her work today. Her collections now feature intricate textures, artistic themes and coordinated looks that challenge traditional perceptions of crochet. “Many people are surprised by how fashionable and versatile crochet can be,” she said. Continue on Page 2