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Welcome again, friends! Today, we’re hanging out with Cheryl of Crochet365KnitToo.com! Cheryl has been so sweet and helpful to me ever since I met her in a crochet blogging group, and I feel confident that you will love her (and her designs!) as much as I do.
I really love the photography she has on her blog! As a fellow hobby photographer, I appreciate someone with a good eye for color and composition! Don’t you love this awesome shot of her niece and a puppy they met while photographing her new Titan purse?
She named it after the cute puppy! I know you cat lovers may try to fight me on this, but I really know I can trust someone if they are kind to dogs.
But enough of that, let’s meet Cheryl! I’ll let her introduce herself really quickly, then we’ll get to the interview, and see some of her best crochet gift ideas!
Hello! I’m Cheryl, crochet blogger and designer, mom and wife. My blog, Crochet 365 Knit Too, (www.crochet365knittoo.com) celebrates my love of crochet with the occasional knit project now and then. Here you’ll find helpful information and tutorials, beautiful photography, tons of inspiration and patterns galore.
You can follow Cheryl on:
Her Blog: www.crochet365knittoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Crochet365KnitToo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crochet365knittoo/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/crochet365knit2/
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Interview with Cheryl of Crochet 365 Knit Too
Katie: I always have to start with the same question, because we all love hearing the stories! So, Cheryl, can you tell us how you learned to crochet?
Cheryl: The very first post on my blog was all about how I learned to crochet from my grandma! I was 7 years old and she lived about 4 hours away. We only saw my grandparents a few times a year and so we (my sisters and I) really got excited when we were able to visit with them!
My grandma always had her crochet and I was just fascinated by it. I remember asking and asking her to teach me and over and over she’d tell me in her thick accent, “Cheryl…you too little”. But I was persistent and eventually she agreed to teach me. So she set me up with a ball of yarn and a hook and taught me to chain stitch with the promise that “next time” she would teach me more. I’m pretty sure she thought I’d lose interest.
But, of course, I did not! I crocheted the entire ball of yarn into one long chain. Then ripped it out and did it again. Needless to say, by the next visit, I had earned my next lesson and along the way, had pretty great tension; you can get pretty good when all you do is chain over and over and over again.
Katie: How amazing! I love hearing stories of how crochet is passed through the generations. Now, what is your all-time favorite crochet project/pattern/tutorial you’ve made?
Cheryl: That’s a tough one. Sometimes I feel like my “latest” is always my “favorite”. I’m loving Michael the Monkey (one of my more recent designs)—I think because I envisioned how the muzzle/eye area would work out in my head and I just kept trying things and ripping them out until I got it right. I talk about that pattern on my blog here: https://www.crochet365knittoo.com/crochet-monkey-pattern/ It’s a paid pattern in my shops.
I also like my little Octopus. I read about how premature babies were comforted by putting their fingers into the tentacles of a crochet Octopus and it really touched my heart. My only child spent his first week of his life in the NICU. At 10 lbs, 1 oz, he wasn’t exactly a preemie, but I could still relate to how it felt to be a parent with a very sick baby in that big, sterile hospital. I remember all the wires and machines and seeing my baby through all that medical stuff. Watching him breathe. Wondering if he’d get better. Somehow to have something crocheted…to give comfort…well it just tugged at my heartstrings!
While I loved the article, the crochet octopus in the article’s photo wasn’t my style, so I just designed my own. I always encourage my readers that want to donate any items to a hospital, to call their local hospital for their rules and regulations on donations. My octopus has safety eyes—and while that makes things great for photos, it is actually safer for little ones to embroider the eyes instead. https://www.crochet365knittoo.com/crochet-octopus-preemies/
Katie: Everyone always has a hard time choosing a favorite project! What about yarn? Do you have an easier time choosing a favorite?
Cheryl: I do! My favorite yarn is Lion Brand’s Vanna Choice. I love that stuff!
Katie: Ooh, good one! I know I have some in my stash somewhere. Do you listen to music/audiobooks or Watch TV while crocheting? Which one would you recommend we check out?
Cheryl: Crocheting is very relaxing and comforting to me. I love to sit in my favorite recliner and crochet the evening away while spending time with family. What’s on TV isn’t really important; it’s just sharing the time with my family that means the most to me. Sometimes my sister will come over on a Friday evening and we’ll cook a good dinner, have some wine and crochet while watching HGTV. Oh yeah.. we live large!
Katie: That’s so awesome! I love that crochet is just a part of what knits your family together. How special!
Now, fess up, do you ever snack while you crochet? What do you need with you to have a perfect crochet space?
Cheryl: You know, I never snack or eat while I crochet. I’m always worried I will spill something or otherwise ruin my project! LOL!
My ideal space really revolves on having a satisfactory amount of “stuff” with me. My yarn, hooks and scissors, of course. But.. maybe I want to pause from my crochet to indulge in a crochet book or pattern—so having a few of those close by are good too. I also really enjoy the “planning” part of crochet.
I like to get up early on the weekends, make a pot of coffee and spend quality time with myself on Pinterest just looking at all the crochet goodness there. Sometimes I might print off a pattern or two or I’ll see something that gives me an idea to design something else. The thinking..dreaming.. planning… that makes me really happy.
Katie: That sounds absolutely lovely, Cheryl! I bet so many of our readers are thinking they’d love to do just that!
So, to help you do that, I’ve gathered some of Cheryl’s best crochet patterns for you! Grab your favorite drink and settle in to write down your next projects (Or add them to your Ravelry queues!)
11 Gorgeous Crochet Gift Ideas from Cheryl of Crochet365KnitToo.com
This adorable amigurumi doll makes such a lovely present for a little girl! This pattern is one of Cheryl’s most popular patterns on Etsy, and you can purchase it here.
This adorable lamb would make just the perfect spring baby shower gift! You can purchase the pattern on Etsy here.
I love the way the colors fit together so perfectly in this tapestry crochet bag! You can see the pattern free on her website here, or if you prefer, there’s a conveniently portable, ad-free PDF version for purchase on Etsy.
Puff Daisy Afghan Pattern – Paid
This gorgeous afghan features motifs of beautiful daisies. I love it for a little nursery! You can purchase the pattern in Cheryl’s Etsy Shop Here.
This adorable stuffed monkey makes such a wonderful gift for a baby shower, or even a young child’s birthday. The pattern is available for purchase on Etsy here.
Another great baby gift Cheryl designed is this gorgeous crochet octopus doll. Can’t you see why a baby would love to snuggle it? It would make a lovely gift, but do remember that if you’re donating it, or giving to a friend, you may wish to embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes.
This lovely plaid button cowl makes such a fabulous fall accessory! I love the look of buffalo plaid checks so much. Would’t it pair well with a nice chambray shirt, or a cozy sweater?
This gorgeous lovey doll makes such a cute and quick crochet gift. Little ones really like the feel of a blanket, and the fun of a toy in one. And I like that they’re safer to let baby snuggle than a giant stuffed bear. This pattern is available to purchase in Cheryl’s Etsy Shop.
Super Hero Spider Lovey – Paid
I couldn’t resist sharing this cute gift for a little boy! You can purchase the pattern in Cheryl’s shop here. And since I know that if you love this pattern, you’ve probably struggled finding more cute little boy things, here is a collection of some cute boy patterns I found for you!
This fun and easy textured crochet beanie pattern would make such a great gift for both guys and girls. I love the simple texture here, and hats are so perfect for a last minute project!
Amigurumi Crochet Zebra – Paid
This cute little Zebra would make such a fun gift! Don’t you love the colorful stripes?
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