Almost Too Good To Eat

Most people crochet hats, gloves, scarves. Clare Crespo, however, knits oysters on the half shell, hamburgers, sushi, and smoked salmon. Yup, yarn intended to make your mouth water.

In her latest collection, Crespo’s creative talent is focused in on Mardi Gras: that infamous New Orleans carnival celebrated in her native Louisiana. Traditional, hyper local eats like seafood gumbo, beignets, catfish poboys, and soft shell crabs have made their way into her inventive crocheted ode to New Orleans. And if you’re lucky enough to be in Los Angeles, the series, entitled ‘Laissez le Bon Crochet Rouler’ (or, let the good times roll), is on display from 6 to 21 February 2010 at Heath Ceramics, where it’ll be lovingly served on their homewares.

But crocheting is not all Crespo is known for. As a celebrated food artist, she’s the author of several books, the creator of a DvD children’s cooking series, and, of course, the founder of an ever-moving bake stand called Treat Street.

For now though, the spotlight remains – at least momentarily – on knitted café au laits and king cakes that almost looks too good to eat…And they are.