‘Smile’ is a filet crochet artwork, created to test out new methods and materials.
The idea for using filet crochet came to Ruby after she made a few small scale swatches, she found the ‘almost-there’ nature of the stitching really interesting and she knew she wanted to use this to play with words and imagery that we often hide from other people.
Filet crochet feels and looks incredibly delicate, but due to the process of crochet the piece is sturdy - and while you can see through the work, the ability to look through is blocked by the words and shaped created in the pattern.

‘Smile’ is the first of a potential series of works exploring words and phrases we use to self-therapy. These are things that could be twisted and misinterpreted when said by the wrong people, but we often find comfort or strength in them when spoken internally.

The style of working for these pieces is derived from traditional cross stitch samplers, something Ruby has been researching. The idea of samplers being used by young women to express unspoken thoughts, and have some control over their voice played into the ideas Ruby has been having around hidden words and exposing raw thoughts.

‘Smile’ was displayed as part of the Wisbech Gallery Open 2025.