Shiyu Jin is a design student at the University of Auckland working with discarded and natural materials, including jute coffee sacks and bamboo branches. She uses crochet as a way to understand how these materials can be shaped and connected. Her practice develops through simple material tests and close observation of how different structures respond. She is beginning to work with a broader range of overlooked, discarded, and recyclable materials.

Project Blog

Introduction

Last year, I experimented with crocheting using coffee sacks as a material. This year, I want to continue working with coffee sacks by creating a bean bag. At the same time, I will explore other materials, particularly discarded fabric, by transforming it into fabric yarn for crochet. Through this process, I hope to investigate new possibilities for reusing textile waste.

Coffee Sack

I recently collected a new batch of coffee sacks from Kokako Organic Coffee Roastery, which will be used as the primary material for making the bean bag.

Crocheting with Fabric Yarn

Initial prototype

Plastic Yarn

The process of making the plastic yarn

Making the loops and connecting them together

Crochet with the Plastic Yarn

Materials