Original Crochet Designs from Crochet Cloudberry

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Hi Crocheters! Today we are having a Meet and Greet with Catherine Venner from Crochet Cloudberry.

Cat recently designed a fun Retro Granny Square crochet pattern and made it available right here, on Oombawka Design Crochet.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Cat and share with you some of her original crochet designs.

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Crochet Designer Feature: Crochet Cloudberry

Meet Catherine Venner

Question: Who are you? Tell me about yourself.

Hej! I am Cat from Crochet Cloudberry. I live in the North East of England with my partner and rescue cat Trixie. By day, I work as a translator and by night I crochet.

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

I have been crocheting for about 6 years. I was always curious about it but did not know anyone who could teach me, until my partner’s mum showed me a few basic stitches and from then I was literally hooked. I have been designing for about 3 years now and love every moment of it.

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

Don’t give up! It is unlikely that your first attempt will be exactly like you imagined, but it will come with time and practice. Once you have mastered the basics, do not be afraid to try new things. If you are nervous about a new stitch, make a little swatch using that stitch before working on it in your project.

Question: What do you enjoy crocheting the most?

This is entirely mood dependent. If I am tired, I love working simple rows like on a blanket. If I need a quick booster, granny squares are the perfect remedy being relative quick to make. If I am making gifts, I love crochet toys for my nephew and niece.

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

During lockdown, I developed an interest in copperplate calligraphy and have been practicing almost daily since and have now amassed an interesting collection of ink (which I keep far away from my yarn) I also love my garden, especially in the early spring when the first flowers are poking through.

Question: What prompted you to start designing?

I started designing when I wanted to make my partner a bee motif cushion as he is such a bee fan. I could not find a pattern at that time and so I made my own. To date my bee cushion is still on of the most popular in my Ravelry store

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

I have been designing for about 3 years. I publish my free pattern on my blog (www.crochetcloudberry.co.uk) and other patterns in my Ravelry store . I have also had my patterns published in several UK magazines.

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

I find inspiration all around. I love using colour and mixing and matching them to find unusual combinations that go well together. Nature and the garden are a good source to help put colours together.

Question: What do you enjoy designing the most?

Without doubt, granny squares. I just love all the amazing possibilities that the little squares offer.

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

Just go for it. If you have an idea in your head and a hook in your hand, there is nothing stopping you. Keep working at your design until you have it exactly as you want. Then once you have written it down, make sire you send your design to pattern testers: they are great at spotting small errors that make a big difference.

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

Finishing all my WIPs 🙂 But really my only goal is to keep on enjoying designing and crocheting.

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

I really love the work of Janie Crow. My first “big girl’s” project was the lily pond CAL and I learned so many new techniques and such a lot about putting colours together as I did it.

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 tend to really like novelty yarn: the furry, the glitzy or the self striping….You will see that I frequently incorporate them into my projects.

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

I love browsing Instagram and Pinterest and also post there regularly myself.

You can follow me on Instagram @crochet_cloudberry and on Pinterest @crochetcloudberry

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