Lithuanian textile and jewellery artist Ruta Naujalyte now lives in Norway where she creates intricate crocheted sculptures often with a macabre sensibility. “The impression of incompleteness is significant,” she explains. “It adds presence – awareness of the here and now.”

What is your background in textiles?

I studied back in Lithuania at The Art Academy. I loved my studies. It is an excellent textile program with excellent teachers. I would recommend it to everyone whose passion is textile art. 

How do you describe your work? 

It is hard for me to describe my work. I think it is better than someone else does it because it comes deep from my heart and soul. Someone on Instagram said: “Disturbing, fascinating, mesmerising, amazing, beautiful!” and I couldn’t agree more. 

Were you always drawn to crochet or was it a gradual process? 

As a kid I spent a lot of time with my grandma, she is a tailor. I’m joking that I grew up on the sewing machine table. All kinds of fabric scraps, buttons and sewing threads were my playground. During my studies I was doing lots of textile techniques except crocheting or knitting. I always thought that crochet wass the most boring craft. But during my Masters I bought a foldable sewing tool box in a flea market and accidentally found a very small crochet hook in the bottom drawer. I started experimenting with it and simply got hooked….

What is it about crochet that appeals to you? 

The most appealing thing about it is the ability to use the tiniest threads there are. Too bad there is a limit on the thickness of the tread – if it was up to me I would like to use a microscope and go smaller and smaller. And I like to mix threads and colours. 

Lithuanian textile artist Ruta Naujalyte now lives in Norway where she creates intricate crocheted sculptures often with a macabre sensibility. “The impression of incompleteness is significant,” she explains. “It adds presence – awareness of the here and now.”

Firstly where are you from and where do you live now?

I’m originally from Lithuania. But I followed my love and ended up in Norway. 

What is your background in textiles?

I studied back in Lithuania at The Art Academy. I loved my studies. It is an excellent textile program with excellent teachers. I would recommend it to everyone whose passion is textile art. 

How do you describe your work? 

It is hard for me to describe my work. I think it is better than someone else does it because it comes deep from my heart and soul. Someone on Instagram said: “Disturbing, fascinating, mesmerising, amazing, beautiful!” and I couldn’t agree more. 

Were you always drawn to crochet or was it a gradual process? 

As a kid I spent a lot of time with my grandma, she is a tailor. I’m joking that I grew up on the sewing machine table. All kinds of fabric scraps, buttons and sewing threads were my playground. During my studies I was doing lots of textile techniques except crocheting or knitting. I always thought that crochet wass the most boring craft. But during my Masters I bought a foldable sewing tool box in a flea market and accidentally found a very small crochet hook in the bottom drawer. I started experimenting with it and simply got hooked….

What is it about crochet that appeals to you? 

The most appealing thing about it is the ability to use the tiniest threads there are. Too bad there is a limit on the thickness of the tread – if it was up to me I would like to use a microscope and go smaller and smaller. And I like to mix threads and colours. 

What type of yarn / fibres do you crochet with and why?

I mostly use sewing threads. I have quite a collection right now. I love to go thread hunting everywhere I travel. Best Valentine’s gift for me is a ball of yarn. 

Why do you use beads in some of your work?

I love beads ! My Master’s degree was about beads. After I finished at The Art Academy I wanted to work with beads and I did, but after I had a baby crochet was easier to handle. It was easy to travel with a crochet hook and some sewing threads as I started to live between two countries. But beads incorporate naturally into my work. 

Where do you work?

I have a studio where I share space with two amazing artists, but unfortunately I don’t spend much time there. Since crochet is a very time consuming craft I do most of my crocheting at home. But all the preparations I do at the studio. I mould my shapes with a papier–mâché technique. There is a lot of experimentation in the studio. If it would be my way I just sit and crochet all day every day all year around.  

Can you talk us through designing a piece of work please?

My sketches are my colours and my threads. I lay out some colour combinations and start crocheting. If you are familiar with crocheting you know that it’s a very repetitive craft – it’s a type of meditation. After a while you dive into your subconscious and that’s where the best ideas emerge. 

I know it’s a hard question but how long does a piece generally take to make? 

Yes it’s a tricky question. It takes time. I usually have few projects that I’m working on. If I see that I’m stuck with one I take another one. In some cases it takes time while I come back to finish, but I don’t like to rush.  Usually it seems very messy but it’s all in order in my head, and I feel that I need to practice all the time.

I see you do beautiful things for interiors. Can you tell us about those?

I live in a Nordic country with long and cold winters. When you spend a lot of time at home you want it to be warm and cosy. Textile objects always give cosiness and warmth. So any interior object I do I always implement textile fabric – give it a soft chandelier or a wallpaper. I like peculiar and vintage stuff in general and I want to live in nice and unique surroundings. 

What has been your proudest career moment so far? 

The proudest moments are when I overwhelm myself by creating something better than I anticipated. Every event, even small ones gives me some boost to do it better and better.

What advice can you give aspiring textile artists?

Love your craft, don’t count hours while experimenting/practicing. Not every piece is a masterpiece but keep going. Stay true to yourself. Your passion should be your work! 

Would you like to add anything? 

It is hard to plan these uncertain times but  I’m looking forward to being more active online. Next year one of my jewelry pieces  will be published in Nicolas Estrada’s new book New Bracelets and  finally will be available worldwide in January 2021. I have planned an exhibition and talk in Sweden in Steneby Konsthall, it is going to be about material based artists. I am very material and technique based, and I’m waiting for some news from China. I’m probably also starting to teach next year. I have an invitation from Riga’s Art academy and probably some places in Oslo or online. 

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