Free Crochet Patterns from Stitches n Scraps

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Meet Pia Thadani: The Creative Mind Behind Stitches n Scraps

Question: How did you learn how to crochet? How long have you been crocheting?

My mom is the one who got me started in needle crafts. She taught me knitting when I was very young, and then a few years later she taught me to crochet. Crochet stuck first, and I’ve been doing it as long as I can remember.

Question: Do you have any tips for new crocheters? Any guidance to make them successful at a new hobby?

Once you have the basic stitches down, don’t let project levels limit you. easy, intermediate, or complex, it’s more a question of complexity than of skill level. If you want to go for that complicated pattern you’re in love with, you CAN do it, even as a beginner. It may take a lot of attention, care, and time, but you’ll pick up so many new skills along the way!

Question: What do you enjoy crocheting the most?

I love to create. To watch the finished product appearing stitch by stitch in front of my eyes. There’s also something so meditative about the movement of stitching itself. It calms me, excites me, and focuses me all at the same time.

Question: What else are you passionate about (other than crochet)?

Mostly I’m passionate about my amazingly supportive husband and my adorable rescue dog (@MightyMissMillie on Instagram).

As far as crafts, I love just about all things fiber, including knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, tatting, and embroidery. Unfortunately, there’s only so much time in a day, so I don’t get to do it all as much as I like.

I also love board games and D&D. We have regular board game days with friends, and I’m in a weekly D&D campaign online.

And with all my spare time, I’m something of a fiber guild addict too. I’m a member of the Crochet Guild of America at both the national and local chapter levels. I will be serving a term as president of the national guild starting this July. I’m in a local spinning guild and weaving guild as well.

Question: What prompted you to start designing?

I found I never could make a pattern without tweaking it this way or that. So I started writing down my changes. And then I started developing my own ideas…all still just for me. Finally friends encouraged me to try pattern writing and I loved it! The rest sort of all took care of itself.

Question: How long have you been designing and where do you publish your patterns?

More or less since about 2015. Most of my patterns are available in two versions. You can get them free at StitchesnScraps.com, supported by advertising. Or, you can buy a paid pdf version on Ravelry, formatted for easy printing. I’ve got a handful of premium paid patterns on Ravelry as well, and several patterns in various magazines and other publications. These are generally paid only and are not on my site.

Question: What drives you to create? Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

Two sources that couldn’t be more different! First is the puzzle loving, problem solving, analytical side of me. I like to play with the math, make up new combinations and clever tricks, or find a new way to shape something. This usually ends up in my more complex patterns, and my more geometric designs.

The other is all about color and feel. I like to play with different textures – particularly fluffy, soft, or chunky ones. I also like to play with color – gradients, stripes, or multiple colors twisted together. This tends to lead to my easier patterns with simpler stitching and construction that really lets the yarn itself shine.

Question: What do you enjoy designing the most?

Variety. I tend to go in spurts where I make a lot of one thing – like all different pillow designs for example. Then I get worn out on that and switch to something else. Or, I’ll fall in love with a particular stitch pattern and have to use it in all the things before I can move on. But overall I don’t stay in any one place for very long.

Question: What tips would you give to someone interested in designing and blogging?

Crocheting, blogging, designing, and pattern writing are all different skills. You may think you’ll be crocheting the day away all the time but you’ll actually probably spend more time on writing, marketing, photography, web design, video editing, social media, and all the other business aspects of the business. If you like a broad and varied job description where there’s always something new to learn, then it’s tons of fun and you’ll meet amazing people along the way!

I think a lot of crafters who go into business do it because they love the craft – but the business skills around it are just as important as the crafting skills. You need to decide which skills you want to put the effort into learning well, and which ones you can and want to outsource through software or professional services.

Your peers will be your best resource. Take the time to build those relationships. None of us really work alone – we collaborate with each other and lift each other up as much as we can. Without that, it would be a very lonely space. Some of us even do contract work for each other, like tech editing or photo editing, or various VA services.

Learn How to Set Up a Successful Blog

Question: What goals have you set for yourself for the future?

My main goal is to keep increasing my rate of growth every year, and never get stuck in “the way we’ve always done it.” I have a substantial body of work now and am working on organizing and developing it into a somewhat more cohesive portfolio. I’m updating old patterns, grouping them together, and plan to put some together, along with new stuff, into books. I’ve also been enjoying tech editing a lot recently, and would like to go further with that.

Question: Who are your favorite makers? How have they inspired you?

Oh my gosh this is such a hard question to answer! Every maker, in every space, inspires me in some way. My favorites are mostly my friends, because knowing the person behind the product makes the product that much more special.

Rhondda is of course one of them, along with Tamara of Moogly, Jessie from Jessie at Home and Showstopper Creations, Andee of Mama’s 2 Hands, Marie of Underground Crafter, and Lindsey of the Lindsey Life. I know I’m leaving out loads of people and if you’re one of them I’m sorry!

Every maker I’ve met is unique in some way and there’s something inspiring about every one. Crafting skills, use of color, creative ways of looking at things, stitch techniques I haven’t seen before, ways of combining various crafts, writing style, business acumen, work ethic…the list goes on. Every time I meet a new maker I find something new that I can work to be better at.

Question: Do you have a favorite yarn you like to use when you are crocheting? What colors and fibers do you gravitate toward when choosing your yarn?

My favorite yarn is usually whichever one is in my hands at the moment. I have some yarns I definitely don’t like, but that’s a matter of personal taste and I won’t list them. Generally though, I think different yarns are good for different things, and each one has its place.

I tend to gravitate towards easy to find yarns that are easy to substitute for as well. Early on I did some designs in unique yarns, and those patterns are now more or less useless because the yarn is discontinued and there’s no good substitute. So these days I stick mostly to worsted weight acrylic or cotton yarns for work. For my own personal taste, I’m a sucker for a unique, hand painted sock yarn!

As far as colors, the sky is the limit. My favorite palettes are blues and browns, autumn/spice, spring/floral, and neutrals with a pop of color.

Question: Do you have anything else you’d like to share with us?

My main blog / site is https://StitchesnScraps.com

I also have a small yarn shop at https://Shop.StitchesnScraps.com

As far as social media, you can find me as Stitches n Scraps pretty much everywhere:

• Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/StitchesnScraps/
• Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/scrappystitchers/
• Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/stitchesnscraps/
• Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/S_N_S/
• YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/c/stitchesnscraps
• Ravelry – https://www.ravelry.com/designers/pia-thadani
• Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@stitchesnscraps

Free Crochet Patterns from Stitches n Scraps

Thank you for joining us to get to know Pia Thadani from Stitches n Scraps. Her dedication to crafting and her innovative designs have made her a beloved figure in the crochet and knitting community.

Be sure to explore the free patterns featured in this post and visit her blog for even more creative inspiration. Follow Pia on social media to stay updated on her latest projects, tutorials, and make-alongs.

Happy crafting, and may Pia’s beautiful designs and helpful tutorials inspire your next project!

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