Crochet Patterns from Underground Crafter

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

My grandmother taught me to crochet in 1984. I taught myself how to read patterns from a book in 2002, and since then, I’ve been crocheting pretty much every day.

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

You are lucky to be a new crocheter during this time. There are so many more options for hooks and yarn than there were in the past. I would recommend trying out different types of crochet hooks to find the ones that feel the most comfortable in your hand. To get better at crochet, you’ll need to practice, and practicing with a nice hook is much more fun!

Question: What do you enjoy crocheting the most?

I initially got back into crocheting 20 years ago to make baby blankets to gift at baby showers. Blankets are still some of my favorite projects, but I also enjoy shawls and softies. When I’m in the mood for a “quick fix,” nothing beats a hat! I can make one in a few hours and love the instant gratification!

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

I enjoy knitting and really wish I had more time for sewing. I think I’m spoiled by crochet being so portable (it’s pretty hard to sew on your sewing machine on the subway commute, haha). I also love to bake and cook.

Question: What prompted you to start designing?

In 2007, I became a Craft Yarn Council Certified Instructor (Level I) and Certified Teacher (Level II). When I started teaching, I found that my students often struggled with pattern reading. I started designing handouts with stitch patterns and simple projects, and my designing career grew from there.

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

My first pattern was published in Crochet World and since then my crochet, knitting, and sewing patterns and tutorials have been published by Crochetvolution, Entwine, Galler Yarns, I Like Crochet, I Like Knitting, Inside Crochet, KnitCircus, KnitCrate, Knit Picks, Kollabora, Love of Crochet, Love of Knitting, Pom Pom Quarterly, We Like Sewing, Yarnbox, and the Quick & Simple Crochet booklet series. With that being said, most of my patterns are posted for free on my blog.

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

It really depends! Living in New York City, I get to see a lot of fun and interesting fashions and designs. I also love yarn, and sometimes the yarn sort of tells me what it wants to be. I have a whole collection of stitch dictionaries, and I scroll through them, too, looking for inspiration.

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

I hosted a podcast for two years and about 70 episodes, the Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show. Most of the information shared there is still useful and newbie designers and bloggers can listen to the archives here https://creativeyarnentrepreneur.libsyn.com/ My main advice is to not think of blogging and designing as a get rich quick scheme. If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn (as my grandparents used to say). I’ve been in this business since 2007 and people who are making money do three things: They work hard, they have consistency, and they have diverse (multiple) income streams. It also helps if you treat other bloggers and designers with respect because it’s a small world.

Learn How to Set Up a Successful Blog

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?

I truly can’t choose one favorite! I’m a bit yarn obsessed. I’ve had the pleasure of being a King Cole https://www.kingcole.com/ Brand Ambassador since 2020, and they have a lot of really fun yarns that I love to work with. Some of my favorites King Cole yarns are the Drifter and Subtle Drifter cotton blend yarns, the self-striping Acorn Aran yarn, and Beaches DK, Island Beaches DK, and Paradise Beaches DK yarns.

Find King Cole Yarn at your local yarn shop!

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

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ucrafter/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ucrafter/

Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/marie-segares

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/mariesegaresundergroundcrafter

Free Crochet Patterns from Underground Crafter

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Free Crochet Patterns from Underground Crafter

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