Meet the Designer: Yarns about Yarn
- canoemtndesigns
- Jul 8
- 5 min read
A fellow Canadian! It's always exciting to meet someone from Canada. It doesn't happen often in the crochet design world.
This interview was fun to read. In some ways quite different than other designer interviews, you will see that as you read about Charlotte. I'm pretty sure she is the first person I've read about who doesn't have a stash of yarn waiting to be used! lol
As usual, the photos link to the pattern. Please follow Charlotte 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.
What is your name, business name & where do you live?
I am Charlotte Whaley, the designer behind Yarns About Yarn. I am proud to say I am Canadian and live in Waterloo, Ontario.
When/How did you learn to crochet?
I first learned to crochet when I was expecting my son. My mother was a beautiful knitter and taught me, however, she always wanted me to "practice" before I made something. That didn't work for me. I like to just jump in and have something for my effort so I left knitting to her. With a "How to Crochet" book in my lap, I embarked on my first baby blanket. Like so many other's first, mine too was all wonky with missed stitches making one end about 3" narrower than the other. That didn't matter. It covered my new baby and many of my grandchildren's dollies.
What made you decide to start designing patterns?
I have been a creator and designer in sewn clothing so the jump to designing crochet patterns seemed a natural fit. Creating feeds my soul. I enjoy creating patterns and providing the information for others to learn how to make them too. I feel strongly about passing these handmade arts from one generation to the next. My patterns are like teaching tools that allow me to do this.
How would you say that your crochet designing has changed from when you started?
The more items I design, the more my skills grow, the better my designs get. I continue to learn new stitches and new techniques and I like to share them with others. What there is to learn in this art of crochet never seems to end which makes it exciting to create new patterns to share these new things I have learned with others.
What’s your go-to yarn and crochet hook? Any particular reason why you prefer them?
I make a lot of items for children and gift giving so I like easy care yarn. I prefer #4 weight yarn as it makes up quickly but isn't too bulky. Usually, 4.5 - 5.5mm hook works best with #4 yarn. I often use Loops and Threads Soft and Classic. I prefer smoother finishes. I am not as fond of yarns with a halo. I am still trying to find the perfect cotton.
What are some of your favorite crochet techniques/stitches/ patterns?
Favourite stitch....that is like asking what child is my favourite. If I had to pick, I would say the moss stitch stands out in a crowd of many. I like the smooth texture it provides and the lovely drape it gives to the finished fabric. There are so many techniques I like and use, but I think that using stitch markers is the most basic technique that everyone needs for every project (they would have been a big help with my first project), regardless if you are a beginner or advanced crocheter...never leave home without them!
Currently, I am enjoying designing C2C patterns. This technique provides beautiful texture and looks orderly to me.
Are you a one-project-at-a-time person, or do you have a lot of WIPs on the go?
I am a one-project-at-a -time person. As I am also a yarn-purchaser-one-project-at-a-time too. I am not a yarn hoarder. I plan a project, purchase the yarn and then move on to the next. I find yarn colour, texture and style can go out of fashion so I don't stock up. By the time I complete a design, write the pattern and do the marketing, the design I thought was going to be next can be replaced by a new idea so I am not bound to an old idea because I had already purchased the yarn.
What’s the process like when you design a crochet pattern? What are some words you would use to describe your patterns?
My patterns include a variety of genres including fashion, baby stuff, home decor, ami and what I call novelty items. Most often my designs are inspired by gift giving. I have a category I call Meaningful Makes. For these designs I research colour, stitches and motifs I use to convey, what I hope, is a meaningful message for the recipient. For example, the Cancer Ribbon Pocket Shawl I created for my friend, can just be a pocket shawl with beautiful texture, or the colour, and the unique stitches make it an emotional connection for those dealing with breast cancer as she was. It became a wearable hug for her on her cancer journey. I like to think that our art of crochet can speak for us when we have difficulty finding suitable words to express how we are feeling in difficult circumstances. I hope others can use my designs to speak for them too, besides just enjoying them for their face value. Once I have the details of the design worked out, I usually pattern write while I crochet the project. I try to include as much detail in my patterns (photos, stitch info, technique info, links to video tutorials, etc), as I can to make it easier for others to make my designs. Once the pattern is written, I have testers crochet the design. Their feedback has proven to be invaluable. Each of my patterns includes a "yarn" or story that inspired the design. The yarn gives a bit more insight into my process.
Tell us about your favorite make or biggest crochet triumph?
I feel like I have a big crochet triumph whenever I finish a new design. The process takes a lot of work and focus and I am always delighted when I am happy with the end result. The Sly the Fox Blanket is one of my favourite projects to date. I like the texture of the C2C technique and I think the way the fox heads are used to create a design is unique.
Paying it forward, who are some of your favorite crochet designers/ bloggers?
I have to give props to @4MamaBearMade as Carrie so generously helped me get started with the pattern testing process. I am inspired by @MjofftheHook, @TwoofWands, @knitatude, @whiteowlcrochetco, @theMarlyBird and @nordic_hook, not just for their fibre art talent, but their business acumen too.
Where can we find you online? (please follow Charlotte where you can)
Website: yarnsaboutyarn.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yarnsaboutyarn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yarnsaboutyarn
Pinterest: https://ca.pinterest.com/yarnsabout/
Thank you Charlotte for a wonderful interview!
Did you find a new favorite pattern?
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