Blog We Love: www.sheilazachariae.blogspot.com

Tell Inside Crochet about yourself…
I live in Omaha, Nebraska, USA with my husband, Brian. We have just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary! We have a grown daughter, Zoe, out on her own, who is the model for my knitwear.
Could you tell us a bit about what you do?
I’m an independent knitwear pattern designer and have happily been so since about 2004. I can most often be found in my chair surrounded by yarn, fabric, needles, hooks and many spiral notebooks filled with ideas, sketches and colour combinations.
How long have you been blogging?
Gosh, I couldn’t tell you exactly but I believe about ten years or so.
What inspired you to start blogging?
I have been following Lucy at Attic24 (www.attic24.typepad.com) for the longest time. I adore her! Her love of colour, baking and little walks around her neighbourhood.
Do you use any other social media?
I love Instagram! So much to discover and I find it easier and quicker than blogging. Most of my photos are about knitting and crocheting, but I also share pics about food and second-hand store treasures. I am on Facebook and Twitter too.
Have you made new friends through blogging?
I have, if you can call someone a friend that you haven’t actually met in person. I went to a Craftsy summit last January, in Denver, Colorado, USA and met many of them there. I was so thrilled! Now, they truly are my friends in real life!
How did you learn to crochet?
I was in my early 20s. I already knew how to knit, having been taught by my mother. I picked up a beginner crochet book at a craft store, bought some worsted weight yarn and got started with a baby blanket.

How did you start designing?
I started early in 2004 as I was forced to stay on my feet for long periods of time. I needed to do something, so I picked up some knitting needles and started with a scarf. Next thing I knew, I had 50 of them! Off to a local art gallery I go to peddle my wares. They loved and sold them all. Creative Designs was born.
What are your sources of inspiration?
Colour. Clothing, nature, jewellery… colour is everywhere. Often when I go on vacation, I see all sorts of inspiration. The seaside, water, shells, the beach. Architecture is also great for designing. If you look at a building, you see points, circles, straight lines. I sometimes think: “That shape would make a great shawl!”
What item couldn’t you live without?
My studio is filled with the things I love, as it is my only room that I do not share with anyone! Photos, gifts of yarn bowls and paintings, and my cross stitch projects I did from nine years old into my 20s.
What are you working on at the moment?
Fall and winter are my busiest times – the list of orders for scarves and baby blankets is long.
Who are your favourite other bloggers or designers?
Moogly (www.mooglyblog.com) and Craftsy (www.craftsy.com/blog) are my most beloved blogs. Susan.B Anderson is a favourite author for all things baby and I love the designers behind Vogue Knitting.