Find out more about the fabulous designers behind our Crochet Society boxes! Below we chat to Crochet Society Box 17 designer, Zoe Potrac @zoepotrac
What inspired your design for this box?
The colours made me think of smoke and sunsets, I can almost smell bonfires being lit at dusk, and the thick smoke that comes before the fire takes hold drifting across the horizon in waves. Through history, fires sending smoke signals up into the sky have been used to send messages and I like the mystery of what the message might be and who it might be for.
What is your favourite type of project to crochet?
I’m a homewares and accessories fan. I particularly enjoy cushions- the project isn’t too long or too short, and there are infinite possibilities to change the design on a simple base shape.
Which of your crochet projects are you proudest of?
I’ll always be proud of my first published design- the White Horses Cushion- and thankful that the editor took a chance on me, as it was the beginning of a whole new career for me! I’ve recently re-released this one so you can get a hold of it in my shops.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced with your crochet?
The biggest challenges have come from learning to run it as a business- the crochet part is always fun and definitely the best bit; learning to manage time and estimate how long a project will take was tricky at first, and trying to balance how many projects I can realistically complete in a given time with how many I really want to take on because they all look fun!
The theme of this box is bonfire night. Bonfires are a great excuse for toasting marshmallows and brewing up some hot spiced apple juice – what’s your favourite bonfire treat?
Bonfires evoke major nostalgia for me! The taste of a homemade soup, drunk from a mug, takes me straight back to bonfire nights as a child- they were a big event for us! We had a family friend who organized a bonfire every year in his enoooormous orchard and friends and family all brought something along. My sister and I made the Guy every year, and my Aunty Rose made the soup.
What’s the best piece of crochet advice you’ve ever received?
It’s more life advice, but it applies to my crochet too, simply to be yourself! Allowing my personality and tastes to run through my designs is what keeps them original and what separates a successful design from a bland one.
Where’s your favourite place to crochet?
I’m very lucky to have a room at home just for me and my wool. It’s full of all my favourite things, has the most colourful chair I could find in Ikea, and the window looks out over the street so I can be nosy and keep an eye out for the postman bringing more yarn!
Do you have any big crochet plans coming up this year?
I am just dipping my toe into releasing patterns independently. I’ve got a logo and everything! You can find them in my Ravelry, Lovecrafts and Etsy shops. There are just a handful to buy at the moment, but I will be releasing more each month. They’re a mixture of old favourites and new patterns that you won’t have seen before.
Where can people find out more about you?
My Instagram @zoepotrac is where I post most updates, and there are links there to anything else I’m up to.
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