How did you first get into crocheting, and what kept you going?
“It started when I was about nine. I was obsessed with rainbow looms, and one day I found a video of someone crocheting with rubber bands. I had never seen anything like that before and did not realize it was another form of crochet. When I learned about real crochet, I thought it was so cool because I already loved working with my hands, so picking it up felt natural. It was fun, creative and something I could improve at quickly, so I just kept going and have been crocheting ever since.”
What were your early projects, and which ones are you most proud of now?
“The first thing I ever made was a really chunky little bee, and I am still proud of it because it turned out really well for a first project. Since then I have made a lot of things I am proud of, but the one that stands out the most is a big cow I made about two years ago. It is one of the main things people notice when they visit, and it reminds me of how much I have improved.”
What techniques do you enjoy, and what challenges have you faced?
“My favorite stitch is a half double crochet. It is taller than a single crochet but does not leave the big gaps that double crochet can, so it looks neat and makes projects go faster. I usually follow patterns for animals and plushies, but if the design is simple and there is no pattern, I can figure it out myself. For clothes I do not use strict patterns and instead take inspiration from techniques I have seen. One of the biggest challenges I faced was making my first sweater. I had no experience, no pattern, and had to guess how everything should fit together, so it did not turn out great. In the beginning I also struggled with tension, especially since I used a hook that was too small, but now it feels natural.”
What kinds of projects do you enjoy most, and how would you describe your style?
“I love making animals and plushies, especially as gifts. My style is very go-with-the-flow. I use bright colors, try new techniques often, and make whatever feels right in the moment. Sometimes I start projects without a plan, but I usually like having one so I do not get stuck.
How do you choose colors and find ideas?
“I pick whatever yarn speaks to me. If a project already has set colors, I choose whatever I own that is closest. For my own ideas I just go with what I think will look good. Most of my inspiration comes from Pinterest and YouTube. I only use Google when I have to because it does not give great results.”
What are the kind of goals and gifts you make, as well as how you handle custom requests?
“I make gifts all the time for birthdays, holidays, or just because. People at school occasionally ask for custom pieces. If someone asks for something random or complicated, I usually ask for payment. In the future I want to get better at making clothes and larger projects. I would love to make a full blanket someday if I had unlimited time and yarn.”
Do you have any advice for beginners?
“For beginners, I always say to work on tension because it is one of the hardest things to learn. I also recommend practicing granny squares. People call them boring, but they teach so many stitches, come in tons of designs, and are perfect for learning.”
