Meet the Designer: Start Crochet
- canoemtndesigns
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
I "met" May a couple of years ago. She is also a member of my Crochet Designer Communtiy on FB. It's always fun seeing what her next pattern will be :)
May has the cutest patterns, many are quick to make and great gifts for everyone from little people to "older" people.
As always the photos link to patterns. Please follow May where you can and show her patterns some love by adding them to your favorites :) All of May's links are at the end of the interview.
What is your name, business name & where do you live?
My name is May Shehab. My business name is Start Crochet and I live in Switzerland.
When/How did you learn to crochet?
I learned to crochet as a child. My grandmother taught me, but I didn't really enjoy it back then. Fast forward to adulthood... I wanted to crochet a baby blanket when I was pregnant with my daughter, so I went out and bought a crochet hook and some yarn and dove deeply into YouTube videos and re-learned crochet that way! It's amazing what you can learn online nowadays!! I've become a complete crochet addict! No joke!!
What made you decide to start designing patterns?
After following lots of written patterns and crocheting a heap of amigurumi toys for my kids, I felt like I wanted to give pattern writing a shot. I figured it couldn't be that difficult, really...
In the beginning, the process was quite challenging. It took so much time to design, write up a pattern, find testers, get the pattern tested for feedback, edit, take photos of every step, do the product photography (which was a learning curve in itself!), write the pattern up on the blog, create the PDF version for paid downloads, market the pattern... It felt like it took weeks to get a pattern out there! But with practice, I've been moving forward much faster. I love designing! I only design really simple patterns for beginners, quick giftable projects that make newbies feel accomplished and proud without too much effort :)
How would you say that your crochet designing has changed from when you started?
Oh, my designing evolves all the time. As I mentioned, the process has become much faster because I developed a system and checklist that helps a lot. I also batch designs now into groups of 3. Since my designs are usually small items, I can test 3 patterns together. I like making sets so I can create bundles to sell. I think it's quite appealing for buyers to be able to buy a set of something, like a spa-set for example.
What’s your go-to yarn and crochet hook? Any particular reason why you prefer them?
I like 100% cotton Ricorumi with a 3.5 mm hook for my smaller items like lip-balm holders and worry worms. I love the range of colors Ricorumi offers and they're readily available here in Switzerland!
On my last trip to the US, I bought a few cakes (umm... a suitcase full!) of Big Twist Rave 100% Premium Acrylic in the most wonderful colors! They're so lovely and soft and the colors are to die for!! We can't get those here in Switzerland, so I'm making the most of the ones I have. I like using 5-6 mm hooks with these.
What are some of your favorite crochet techniques/stitches/ patterns?
I'm really into the moss/granite stitch these days. I like using ribbing as well. I just designed 3 easy headbands using 2 ribbing methods and one ear warmer using both granny squares and the moss/granite stitch. It incorporates glow yarn for a bit of fun too!
Are you a one-project-at-a-time person, or do you have a lot of WIPs on the go?
I definitely have several WIPs on the go... not too many, I'd say. But I do finish most of them at some point, unless it's a project I'm really not enjoying. If it takes too much concentration and I can't find the time to sit somewhere alone without having my kids around, I'll probably give up on that idea and move on to something simpler.
What’s the process like when you design a crochet pattern? What are some words you would use to describe your patterns?
I have a whole blog post where I describe my designing process in detail starting from keyword research to marketing & promotions. I also have another post describing just my crochet pattern testing process. I feel like I've nailed that now and thought I'd share with other new designers who might need some help figuring that out.
My patterns are meant for newbies, simple, quick and satisfying. They make cute gifts on special occasions for kids, teachers and loved ones.
Tell us about your favorite make or biggest crochet triumph?
Well, last year I got hooked on Worry Worms! I thought they were the easiest and cutest little projects, perfect for beginners and great to give away either as Random Acts of Crochet Kindness or to give to kids as fidget toys. I designed a few variations of worry worms to fit different occasions throughout the year and they became very popular! I ended up designing 15 seasonal worry worms and I offer them as free patterns on my blog with ad-free PDF versions available in my online stores. This year, I'm shifting my focus onto a new theme :)
Paying it forward, who are some of your favorite crochet designers/ bloggers?
Oh, that's a tough one! There are so many talented designers out there! Some are just not well known, not because of their designing skills, but because of marketing! I love all the designers I collaborate with in our Crochet Blog Hops and the discussions we have on our FB Groups (Crochet & Knit Blogger Social, Crochet Designer Community Group and Crochet Designer Support Group). These are incredibly helpful!! I feel connected to the participants in these groups because we all support each other and have really managed to create a beautiful online community of like-minded people (crochet designers and bloggers). I really can't give specific names, the list would be enormous!!
Where can we find you online?
You can find me on most socials. I love it when people write me messages! So please get in touch!
I started a YouTube Channel last summer, which was something I'd been wanting to do forever and just never got around to! Here are the links to my blog, socials and other online shops:
Blog: startcrochet.com
Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/people/StartCrochetFacebook Page https://www.facebook.com/startcrochet
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2199691503508899
LoveCrafts: https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/user/Start-Crochet/5fccc556-8c97-4521-bcf0-0aadf9853faf
Thank you May for a wonderful interview!
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