Blogs we love: Vicki Brown

www.vickibrowndesigns.com

Tell us about yourself…

I live in Cheltenham with my partner Johnny, our two children Milo and Effie, and our mischievous cat Miggins. We’ve recently moved into our first home, which requires a lot of renovation, but we’re having fun working on it.

How did you learn to crochet?

My nanny taught me when I was around eight years old, but I didn’t really fall in love with crochet until I was a teenager, when my mum refreshed my memory. I made a lot of treble stitch headbands and wristwarmers those first few years!

How did you start designing?

I simply decided I would like to have a go at it. I had published a couple of patterns on my blog and read a lot about designing. I sketched out a few ideas and sent them out to magazines. The day before my 29th birthday Inside Crochet commissioned a couple of my designs. It was quite a steep learning curve, but I’m so glad I took the plunge.

Where do you find inspiration for new designs?

I used to pay a lot of attention to high-end fashion and would be frantically searching through London Fashion Week galleries for inspiration, but now I get ideas more from my everyday life. I design items that I love and would wear myself.

How would you describe your design style?

I like to create really wearable items that fit into your everyday
wardrobe. If you’re going to invest your time and skill into making something, it should be worn and admired.

What inspired you to start blogging?

I started blogging ten years ago, when I opened my Etsy store, and soon fell in love with the blogging community and sharing my everyday life.

Do you use any other social media?

I use them all a little bit, but Instagram is definitely my current favourite. It’s become like a mini blog for me to share stories and be inspired by other crafters. Find me @vixbrown.

Describe your work space…

Since we moved house I’m working in a corner of the living room. I dream of skipping out to work through my vegetable patch to a peaceful little once at the end of our garden. For now I’m mostly surrounded by toys, working from a cluttered desk with a toddler as an assistant – but I can dream!

What item in your workspace could you not live without?

Podcasts while I’m crocheting, and spreadsheets to keep all my maths in order. My current favourite podcasts are Crafternoon Treats, The Knit Girllls and, for business advice, Elise Gets Crafty.

What are you working on at the moment?

My latest project is The Crochet Sock Collection – six sock patterns designed to be truly practical and wearable as well as beautiful. It’s available as an ebook or as a printed book. The next big project I’ll be working on is a collection of baby garments. I’m hopeful my toddler will be the inspiration I need to get it done, before she’s too big to model for me!