Hello my friend! Sometimes being a crochet pattern designer no matter your experience (beginner or advanced) can be tough. For encouragement as well as to have some great recommendations by those who have been crocheting for a while, I’ve asked a number of crochet designers for not only how they got started and what they recommend for new pattern designers but what they wish they would have known when they first got started. :).

So grab that cup of coffee, tea or other drink (water is good too :) and enjoy their many recommendations. Most also have a full interview with us that you can read more about them and other advice and things they have learned over their career. :)

The Ultimate List of What Top Crochet Designers Wish They Would Have Known When They First Started

CocoCrochetbyLee

Have you ever seen the marvelous work by CoCoCrochetbyLee and wanted to ask her what inspires her? Lee is an amazing crocheter and knitter who has created many stunning crochet and knitting patterns. You can find some of her patterns on her website and her behind the scenes pictures and upcoming projects on her Instagram profile.

How did you get started in crocheting, knitting and designing?

I started out by making things for my own children after taking a crocheting class locally. Then people began asking me where I got the things my kids were wearing and that was when I began making them for other people.

What would you tell a new designer for encouragement?

I would say that persistence is your best asset. Be persistent, be forward, ask questions, don’t hesitate. Be your own best advocate in achieving your goals.

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

I would say, that it is never too late to get started and to keep going even when you think it isn’t progressing in the way you would like. You never know what opportunities your hard work is creating in the future, and they are right around the corner.

What is a lesson learned for being a woman entrepreneur that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

That’s such an interesting question. I think that before I met my child, Emma-Noel, I would have given an answer based on stereotypical gender roles and assumptions. But my teenager is Trans/Nonbinary and I’ve learned so, so much about how little gender roles actually matter in determining your success or value. I love to look at it more as...I am happy to be an Entrepreneur with all of the hard work and respect that goes into it, without the need to associate my gender with my struggles or successes.

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur who is a mother, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

I would say that being a parent can be challenging, time-consuming, and also very rewarding. Many entrepreneurs struggle with all kinds of situations and still find success and joy in what they do. It’s a wonderful juggling act.

Desamour Designs

You can find her on Instagram for the latest in the BIPOC MAL as well as her designs and more as well as her website which features her blog, tons of free and paid patterns and much more! You can also find her and her fellow team members for the new Radicle Threads Online magazine to come soon. :)

What gave you the idea/inspiration to start Desamour Designs?

I started my business in the way many of us do; selling finished products. I started selling on Etsy and from there discovered the world of designing on Instagram. Desamour Designs was born out of me wanting to find a pastime and sharing them with the world. It has now grown into much more than I could’ve imagined.

What would you tell a new crocheter for encouragement?

Don’t stop! Focus on the things that make you happy. You will find your people and they will want your patterns. Create, make friends and you will discover a path you didn’t even know you wanted to be on.

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t. Do your research and don’t be afraid to reach out to other doing the things you want to do.

HookYarnCarabiner

What gave you the idea/inspiration to start HookYarnCarabiner?

I spent my honeymoon living in a van with my husband and rock climbing around the southwest of the U.S. for an entire year. During that time I brought my yarn and hooks and spent our rest days crocheting. Since there was often no service and it was difficult to get access to online patterns I started designing my own for the first time and absolutely loved it! Once we got back and I was following more and more crochet bloggers I thought, ‘I can do this too!’ And Hook Yarn Carabiner was born; which, by the way, is a spin on ‘hook line sinker’ but I added in ‘carabiner’ to represent my love of rock climbing and how I try to reflect my love of the outdoors in my designs. 

What would you tell a new designer for encouragement?

I would say to make what you want to make - not what you think other people want you to make. When someone designs something they truly love and are passionate about, it really shines through in their work. I find that when I have tried to design things I think my audience will like, it never works out that well. The pattern tends to be a slog and people can always tell if my heart was not in it.

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

Reach out to other women entrepreneurs! I have really loved finding and creating a maker community on Instagram and it is so helpful to have a group of woman designers and bloggers to reach out to and ask questions of. No one can do it all alone, reach out, and make connections.

What is a lesson learned for being a woman entrepreneur that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

I wish I had known that success does not happen overnight for most people. It is easy to be swayed by the big bloggers who had quick growth into thinking that this is the norm. Most people building a small business work on it as a side hustle and slowly build their audience and find their place over years, not months. I think I was in a rush to create something big and bustling and that is just not going to happen for everyone, especially since I only work on my blog part-time and continue to work at the same time.

ByKatherina

How did you start By Katerina?

It was somewhere in 2017 when I started with the website and to publish patterns. I started to crochet again before I needed something to keep my mind clear. There were a lot of changes in my life (different country, a baby, staying at home with a baby…) and I was feeling like I am going down. I needed to make something that would bring a smile on my face, so my baby would see a happy mum and not a depressed one.

I started to post my makes on Facebook. Didn’t knew back then how huge this craft community is. People started asking me how I made them. I start reading about it and I saw that there are a lot of crochet patterns websites and I immediately decided to start a blog with crochet patterns.

What gave you the idea/inspiration?

Considering that people in this great community started to ask for a pattern for what I was posting, I think the idea/inspiration came from them.

How did you get started in crocheting?

I learned to crochet from my mom back in childhood, also knitting. But I learned by myself just watching her how is she doing. My mom was doing it back then because it was a trend. All her coworkers were making doilies or knitting sweaters during winter. She wasn’t passionate about it and didn’t have enough patience and most of the time I was the one who was finishing her projects.

What would you tell a new designer for encouragement?

To believe in their creativity and themselves and never compare with other designers. There is room for anyone in this community, you just have to be patient and find your own spot. And the most important off all, design those things that make you happy.

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

This is something that I am not good at it at all. I think the most important is to do what you love and then everything will come with it.

What is a lesson learned for being a woman entrepreneur that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

It’s not a lesson, because I kind of knew it from the beginning, but I think talking with a specialist about your business idea and then with someone technical to set everything up for you, it will help you save a lot of time and money in the end even if at the beginning is not looking so. Also it will let you be more focused on your actual business.

If you had one (or several) things to share with an entrepreneur who is a mom, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

 Being a mom is already a full time job and if you want to make something aside it’s a great challenge. It’s important to find a balance between both. Don’t neglect your child because of the business and don’t neglect your business because of the child.

Be aware about your kid’s needs. Sometimes they just need your presence, let them be part of what you are making. They will be happy and you will be happy.

What is a lesson learned for being an entrepreneur who is a mom that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

Well, it’s a bit different, because I actually choose to do this, just because I wanted to be more around my child. But, I think one lesson is that it’s good even for you and your business to take a break and take it slow, even if it’s looking like you won’t have enough time to reach that deadline.

TL Yarn Crafts

Have you ever been able to talk with someone that you find absolutely inspiring as a woman and creative entrepreneur? :) We had the amazing opportunity to interview one of the leading ladies in Crochet and Tunisian Crochet and someone who is a rising creative entrepreneur. :) It is my absolute pleasure to share with you a special interview with Toni of TL Yarn Crafts below and some of her stunning Crochet and Tunisian Crochet art work.  And grab your yarn and Tunisian Crochet Hooks to join Toni for the Holiday Tunisian Sampler blanket CAL where you can learn how to make 20 different Tunisian Crochet stitches, each with their own gorgeous square (links for each of the different stitches and tutorials can be found here).

What gave you the idea/inspiration to start TL Yarn Crafts?

TL Yarn Crafts was born through the natural progression of my creative spirit. I originally picked crochet up again in my mid-20’s, making gifts for holidays and baby showers. Once my family politely let me know that they had enough scarves and hats, I decided to start selling my pieces at craft shows and on Etsy. Transitioning my hobby into a side hustle wasn’t always the plan, but I like to think things happened exactly as they were supposed to.

How did you get started in crocheting and Tunisian crochet?

I first learned to crochet from my mother as a teenager. She introduced me to the craft when I was home, bored over summer break. In those three months, I made a hideous granny square blanket. That experience lit a fire in me that has been burning ever since. II stumbled upon Tunisian crochet at a craft convention when I saw a woman with a gigantic 3 foot hook crocheting a dense rug out of heavy cotton. I was intrigued and she graciously gave me a 10 minute lesson. From there, I googled Tunisian crochet for about 3 hours and fell totally in love. I’ve been exploring every stitch, tool, and project ever since.

How did you get started with the podcast?

My YouTube channel started back in 2017 as a way for me to share my knowledge about Tunisian crochet. As much as I love to teach, I wanted a way to connect with people on a more personal level. I decided to combine my extroverted spirit with my love of craft and turn it into a monthly video podcast. I love the excitement and feedback I get from people who watch it. I get the impression that we’re all connecting on a much deeper level.

What would you tell a new designer for encouragement?

Take your time (but don’t procrastinate!). As a new designer, you might be tempted to hold onto your first idea until it’s 100% perfect. But that hesitation can lead to procrastination and you’ll look up a year later and still be sitting on that first pattern. In the age of digital patterns, you have the ability to revisit older designs and spruce them up or fix problems. Take your time so you can put out a pattern you love, but give yourself a reasonable goal date to do that by.

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

I’d tell woman entrepreneurs to make sure they don’t let themselves get too lost in their work. Handmade business owners pour 110% of themselves into their craft, wearing all the hats and trying to do all the things. But it’s so easy to make building your business become the focus of your life. Don’t lose sight of the things that bring you joy and don’t be afraid to say “no” if that means you get to protect your peace.

What is a lesson learned for being a woman entrepreneur that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

You can’t do it alone. By far, the best part of being an entrepreneur is the amazing friendships and peer groups I’ve built over the years. I have amazingly smart, trustworthy people around me to bounce ideas off of and listen to me vent when I need it. Having those people to turn to when things get tough helps me show up as my best self for my audience.

Knot Your Momma’s Yarn

How did you start Knot Your Mommas Yarn?

I think it kind of started itself and then asked me to join I’ve always had a love for yarn things and once I became a full time artists, the full time maker of things with string kinda came right along with it. I started dyeing yarn when I tried to merge my love of paint and painting with yarn. 

What gave you the idea/inspiration?

I take a lot of my inspiration from things around me. I love texture and contrast and I surround myself with stitch pattern books and things just come to mind. 50% work out- 50% are still sitting waiting to be worked out lol. 

What would you tell a new painter, designer, or yarn dyer for encouragement?

It’s not easy, it’s not meant to be easy, and if you love what you do- it’s doesn’t have to be easy for you to keep pursuing  your  dreams and goals. Not every thing you make will sell and that’s ok. 

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

You do you and be kind. The rest will fall into place when it’s meant to be. 

What is a lesson learned for being a woman entrepreneur that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

I really don’t think one comes to mind. Being an artist first and then including yarn things not much has changed. I have to work hard and I expect that I would have had to to reach my goals. Nothing really ever stood in my way. 

If you had one (or several) things to share with an entrepreneur who is a mom, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

Be prepared to change. Schedules are always changing and you have to be ready to continue to evolve right along with it. Think outside the box to gain work time and push through the exhaustion when you feel you should, and nap when you feel you need a nap. Naps are ok. Naps are good for mommas too. 

What is a lesson learned for being an entrepreneur who is a mom that you wish someone had told you when you first started?  

Nothing goes the way you want it to. Ever. Lol!! 

King and Eye Co

How did you start King and Eye?

I learned to crochet when a friend was teaching classes in 2014 and that was that - I was instantly addicted! 

What gave you the idea/inspiration?

I set up my business to help me deal with the grief of losing my beloved dad very suddenly in 2016, we had a special connection and the sudden hole left me adrift. KingAndEye is my way of helping me to focus, I'm able to do something I love while still feeling connected with my dad who always encouraged me to be creative.

What would you tell a new pattern designer or fiber artist for encouragement?

Just go for it!  Very few of us have formal training and your skills will evolve over time. 

Every time I develop a new pattern I change the way I do things or I add more detail.  

There is no right or wrong way to go about it, every designer creates in their own way and teaches in their own unique style.

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

I started KingAndEye to help me deal with the grief of losing my father, we were very similar and extremely close even though he didn’t talk much. 

I could never have imagined where it would lead me and, honestly, I didn’t think it would continue for long as I really saw it as an emotional crutch at first.

As KingAndEye has grown I’ve met so many curious and thoughtful people, my customers are always emailing me to ask questions and they are so kind in their reviews that I really feel I have found a community of generous like minded souls.

I may not run a six figure business but success isn’t always about money.

What is a lesson learned for being a woman entrepreneur that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

Don’t feel as though you need to do everything at the beginning, it can be very disconcerting to see other businesses growing successfully. Just remember you’re probably only seeing the gloss and not the chaos and failures that are going on behind the scenes.

If you had one (or several) things to share with an entrepreneur who is a mom, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

Put your family first, my children are 16 and 13 now, it was them who encouraged me to set up KingAndEye (mainly because they were tired of seeing baby hats lying around the house!) But is also the fact that the children are proud of what I have achieved and see me as someone to look up to that I was compelled to continue when I felt like switching everything off. 

If your children are small, I know it’s a cliché but they do grow up so quickly that I would always encourage a parent to spend as much time as they can with them. I worked in a stressful male dominated industry while mine were very small and I really regret that I thought working 12 hour days to earn a good wage was more important than watching them learn new skills every day. You can always get another job if your business idea doesn’t take off but you only get one chance at parenting.

Stitch of Nature

How did you start Stitch of Nature? 

I spent 6 months creating and writing down the patterns for my first collection, then I hired a photographer to take pictures on my cute models (my older son and friends’ daughters). The last step was publishing them.

What gave you the idea/inspiration?

I made a Newsboy cap and some other cute animal hats for my newborn son who is now 8 and a half years old. People were complimenting them anywhere we’d go, and I decided to write down the instructions for other people to be able to make them as well.

What would you tell a new designer or crocheter for encouragement? 

Experiment, try new things, learn new things! Improve your skills! Listen to your customers!

Joanna’s Crochet Things

You can also find her crochet designs here and on her Ravelry and Tacia’s updates as well as behind the scenes on her Instagram Profile.

How did you start Joanna’s Crochet Things?

Well, it started out of necessity at the time. I had made things here and there for friends and family members over the years but in 2018 I really had to make a decision on whether or not I wanted to pursue this as a side business. I work a job during the day so I needed to create some sort of schedule/structure for myself if this was going to happen. I struggled in the beginning (as most do and still do) to find that work/life balance. 

 How things really got started though… my cousin had moved into a new home and I wanted to give her something that was different. I made her an amigurumi elephant in purple which matched her color theme for her home. The next day I woke up to all types of messages in my inbox on my personal Facebook page( I didn’t have a business page yet) because she had tagged me in the photo that she took of the elephant. At the time, I had just bought and registered my domain name and my blog and then I realized that I needed a seperate social media account because important updates on family and friends that didn’t live close were getting buried from requests. So I set up my Instagram Business Account and at the time in order to do that you had to also set up a Facebook business page (I still don’t know how to really work it...lol). I routed people there because some of the requests that I was getting to make certain things were let’s just say I wouldn’t feel comfortable making or having my name attached to it. The rest has kind of been a blur ever since that day.

What gave you the idea/inspiration?

 My inspiration actually came from a want, not necessarily a need but a want for better accessories that didn’t cost this exorbitant amount of money. I went into the Gap one day years ago and saw a decorative scarf that I wanted to purchase and when I looked at the price tag it was $50. I got very upset that the scarf cost that much and it really was just a simple crochet stitch and the material that it was made of wasn’t exactly premium enough to warrant a scarf that was machine made and not hand made to cost that much. So I left and went up the street to my local Joann’s and purchased pretty much the identical yarn along with a few other colorways and some hooks and made about 6 of the same scarf and only spent maybe $25.

That’s what really gave me the idea/inspiration to get back into crochet. I had learned as a child but lost interest in it and didn’t pick it back up until that fateful day at the Gap. 

What would you tell a new designer or crocheter for encouragement?

 Just go for it. Be true to yourself and don’t let others' success get you down. You’ll  get to where you want to be in time but you also have to put in the work. Never doubt your skill set because it will show, trust me. Remember that even though there may be 10 shawl patterns that look the same as yours, your design is unique to you. Also,  just have fun, things will get very burdensome and overwhelming very quickly if you forget why you started this journey in the first place. 

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

First it would be to go for it. It doesn’t matter if you feel the market is saturated, trust me every market is saturated these days because everyone wants a piece of success. You just have to put on your big girl undies and go for it.  

Second, make sure you know who your target audience is and what your design aesthetic and niche is going to be. For example. I love making accessories like hats, scarves and shawls. Find what you love making and let that start you off. You can always venture off into other areas but I would definitely say your audience, aesthetic and your niche are the top 3 things.

Third, study your craft. Buy reference books, maybe take a class locally and YouTube. I know most of us are done with school but we should never stop learning, especially when it comes to being an entrepreneur. It’s nice to look at what you’ve done but don’t forget to plan ahead as well. You never know where you’ll end up. 

 And lastly, use your friends and family to promote you and your work. When they ask you for your service, even if they’re paying you, use them as models and promoters. I know that as I design more I’m not as comfortable in front of the camera  modeling my designs so you see a lot of my dress form but I have friends, coworkers and family that aren’t camera shy. Get them as excited and involved as you are. Trust me free labor is awesome until you build your portfolio and use professional photographers and models ( if you choose to do so).

What is a lesson learned for being a woman entrepreneur that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

 It’s okay to say” No”and to fail. I knew it would be hard and it has been but no one ever told me that it’s okay to say “No” to collabs, companies that don’t line up with your brand or providing your service to someone. It’s perfectly okay to want what you want and not feel like you missed an opportunity. Trust me I’ve felt that way in the past and bigger and better things came my way when I just gave myself a little grace, a lot of gumption to go for what I wanted and know that you are good enough.

Wilmade

Wilma of Wilmade creates gorgeous crochet items that you can find on her website wilmade.com.

How did you start Wilmade.com?

In 2015 I started sharing my work on Instagram. I gained quite some followers that first year and my crochet skills developed from following other people’s patterns to designing my own patterns. I have always been interested in making websites (I developed my first website when I was 12) so naturally I built my website about crochet: a place to share my projects and patterns.

What gave you the idea/inspiration?

The name wilmade.com is a derivative of my name Wilma and handmade.

How did you start designing?

After one year of making many different crochet items, I knew the basics and was able to make projects without using patterns. I came up with my own ideas and learned how to write crochet patterns in English.

What would you tell a new crocheter for encouragement?

The hardest part is to learn how to hold a crochet hook. Once you find a way that feels comfortable, you’ll notice it’s not that hard! Practice a lot and you’ll become faster and faster.

What would you tell a new designer for encouragement?

Just start. Even if you don’t have that much time, if you really want to start a blog, just do it. A blog needs time to grow so the sooner you start, the better.

If you had one (or several) things to share with a woman entrepreneur, what would it be? What would you encourage them about?

Being your own boss is fun! Life is so much easier if you get to decide when you wake up, when you start working, when you stop working, when you’re taking days off, etc.

What is a lesson learned for being a woman entrepreneur that you wish someone had told you when you first started?

The first year I did my own bookkeeping but life is so much less stressful since I outsourced it to an accountant. I would recommend getting one right from the start if finance allows you to.

Thank you my friend for joining us with these thoughts and recommendations from several established crochet designers. What lesson have you learned that you want to share? I’d love to see your work! Tag us on social media, comment below, or send me an email. Have a great day my friend!