Hi! What are you up to today?
Today I’m working on a new cardigan pattern. Half the week I’m a crochet designer and
half the week I’m a dog groomer, thankfully today is a crochet day! Once I’ve walked my
dogs in the morning I settle down with a coffee and either start hooking up something
new, working on a pattern or listing on my laptop, or editing patterns for other
designers.
What is your favourite type of project to crochet?
I love making garments. I find the design process really exciting and enjoy creating
items I can’t find in the shops.
Where’s your favourite place to crochet?
Ideally in my sunny garden with my two dogs close by. I’ve been known to crochet away
long haul plane journeys but those are few and far between now.
Which of your crochet projects are you proudest of?
I made my nephew, George, a temperature snake for his first birthday. Much like a
temperature blanket or scarf, I worked a row for every day of his first year and created
an amigurumi snake. I was so pleased with how he came out and George loves him! I
can’t imagine ever committing to another one mind you.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced with your crochet?
I’m impatient and I give up easily, it took me a long time to learn that frogging a project
isn’t the end of the world. I’d rather frog something now than hang on to an item I’m
not completely happy with.
What’s the best piece of crochet advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t give up! Some days are always harder than others, your head might be elsewhere
and you lose track of stitches and everything feels like it’s going wrong. Taking a
breather and coming back to it with a clear head always makes a huge difference.
Do you have any big crochet plans coming up?
I’m always working on something new, my hands don’t know quite what to do if they’re
not hooking away. I’ve got a couple of secret projects in the pipeline which I’m looking
forward to sharing and I’m always aware of Christmas on the horizon!
Where can people find out more about you?
@manatee_squares on Instagram. I share most frequently there, whether it’s a new
release, a search for testers or showing off someone who has made one of my patterns.