Feature
| thoughts of a designer
Thoughts
because now I was able to make whole bookworms
“
I found I could make many different items
by myself! However, I was limited to bookworms
because I really had no idea how to put stitches
once I learned to understand crochet
together to make anything else, so the next step was
abbreviations and terminology.
learning how to read a pattern.
I found I could make many different items once
designer
I learned to understand crochet abbreviations and
terminology. Picking new patterns was as fun as
selecting the yarn to make it with! My favourite
pattern was a scrunchie. A scrunchie is a rubber band
that has lots of chained loops on it. After making
”
about twenty scrunchies I became bored with this
pattern and was wanting to crochet something new.
I’d seen other scrunchie patterns at my grandma’s
house, but I had a better idea! I’d create my own
scrunchie.
I picked out pink and purple yarns, grabbed a
rubber band, and started crocheting. In just a little
while, my creation was complete. I was thrilled I as easy as I had hoped. At 1 I didn’t have money to
could create my own scrunchies using the basic invest in a supply of inventory. And so the dilemma
stitches I already knew – chain, single crochet and began. What could I sell?
double crochet. I liked making that scrunchie so
much, I created many more. Soon I had a basket Getting fleeced
full of unique items. My mom allowed me to sell Around the same time, a neighbour, asked if we knew
these with her at craft shows where she sold her own anyone who would be interested in their llamas’ fleece.
handcrafted soap. Little did I know I was laying the Although mom and I did not know what to do with it,
foundation for a crochet business. we said we’d take it. We took the fleece to a fibre mill,
Over the next few years, my crocheting evolved. and while visiting the mill we got to see how wool
Hundreds of projects were started with good was processed from start to finish. The owner said
intentions, and then stuck into a box and shoved our llama fleece was quite nice and that no one would
under the bed. Every time I’d go to start a new know it wasn’t alpaca because it was so soft. Before
project, I’d hear the same thing from my mom, we left, they gave us a brochure for the State Sheep
“Chelsea, why don’t you finish your other project and Wool Festival which was coming soon. They
before you start this?” Of the hundreds of unfinished invited us to come and visit their booth and see what
projects, there were several projects I did complete. the festival was all about. We took the brochure home
Smaller projects like belts, skinny scarves, and where it was quickly buried under a pile of papers and
beautiful ponchos provided the instant gratification forgotten about.
that a motivated beginner, like myself, needed. All of One day the brochure resurfaced. Mom noticed
the projects, finished and unfinished, helped develop a page advertising a Make it With Wool contest that
my taste and style, and built the large base of crochet was held in conjunction with the State Sheep and
knowledge I now benefit from. Wool Festival. The contest promotes the beauty and
(above left)
In the sheep house,
versatility of wool through garments made from wool
one of Chelsea's
Spinning foundations by individuals of all ages. The category I entered was prized ewes.
When we arrived at the Sheep and Wool Festival we the Junior division. Mom was horrified when I stated
(above right)
walked through two gigantic vendor barns, and I was going to crochet a long trench coat for this
'Little Bo' Chelsea.
discovered a whole new world: spinning wheels, contest. She didn’t think there was any possible way (Below)
looms, wool socks and blankets, roving and hand I could create such a big project in such a short time.
Some colourful
handspun slub yarn.
spun yarn, hand dyed locks, needle felting and that’s But completing that coat in only three weeks definitely
just the beginning! proved I had progressed in my crocheting abilities.
When I was 14, my parents purchased a course When we arrived at the Sheep and Wool
that taught you how to start a successful online Festival we walked through two gigantic
business. Having always encouraged me to be an vendor barns, and discovered a whole
entrepreneur, I went through the course thinking new world: spinning wheels, looms,
about how I could apply this information to crochet. wool socks and blankets, roving and
There were many areas to choose from. I decided hand spun yarn, hand dyed locks,
I would start a crochet website and sell crochet needle felting and that’s just the
supplies, handcrafted crocheted items, and even beginning! Being able to feel
my own patterns. After many hours of research, I the difference between the silky
realized wholesale buying wasn’t going to be quite soft wool of one breed of sheep, »
insidecrochet.co.uk
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IC1.feat.chelsea.essay.FINAL.indd 89 16/3/09 15:35:28
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