Meet the Designer: Danny Cat Crochet

canoemtndesigns
May 27
2 min read

Joanne is a new designer to me. LOVE to find new designers with beautiful patterns :) Joanne loves to design shawls....as do I.

Which of her shawl patterns is your favorite? I can't just pick one! She also has some lovely textured washcloth patterns as well as a wall hanging.

As usual, the photos link to the pattern. Please follow Joanne where you can and give her patterns some love by adding them to your favorites :)

All of her links are at the bottom of the feature.

Name-Joanne Smith

Business name- dannycatcrochet- Crochet Design by Joanne Smith

Residence- Telford, Shropshire, England.

When I learned to crochet:

My Auntie taught me to crochet when I was a little girl (about 10 years old).

What made me decide to start designing patterns:

I took early retirement from nursing and wanted a new challenge.

How my crochet designing has changed from when I started:

When I first started, I designed basic shapes e.g. circles, hexagons, triangles and diamonds.

I was searching for my niche, which evolved into designing asymmetric garments, in particular shawls.

My go-to yarn and crochet hook:

My go-to yarn tends to be Stylecraft Naturals DK Cotton and Bamboo and a 4 mm hook. I prefer to use plant based yarns but I am happy to try acrylic/mix yarns.

The reason I prefer them:

It is purely personal preference. I love the feel of bamboo and cotton mix, making it ideal for all seasons.

Some of my favourite crochet techniques/stitches/ patterns:

I particularly enjoy using Raised stitches (e.g. Raised treble Front and Back stitches (Front Post) and Puff stitches as they provide subtle texture, creating a point of interest.

One-project-at-a-time person, or lots of WIPs on the go?

I try to have just one project at a time as I am a completer/ finisher however, I often find myself designing new patterns before I have finished the present one!

The process I like to use when designing a crochet pattern?

I start my pattern writing using Stitch Fiddle and Canva software plus paper grid notepaper (to work out the maths).

I like to complete the whole pattern in chart form before I start crocheting.

I always make a tension swatch.

I will then make written notes as I make up the sample.

I am a visual person so this method works best for me.

I always get my patterns technically edited.

What are some words you would use to describe your patterns?

Asymmetric

Stripey

Abstract

Colourful

Textured

Wearable

My favourite make or biggest crochet triumph:

My latest pattern ‘Showstopper Abstract Shawl’ in Simply Crochet Magazine, Issue 157 is my favourite. It feels ‘like me’. I enjoy abstract art so I am thrilled with this shawl pattern, the shape, the colour combinations. I am proud!