Designer we love

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I live in Cambridgeshire with my husband, two children and a black-and-white cat called Piaggio! I love to make garments and accessories like hats, scarves, cowls, gloves and headbands, but I also enjoy making homewares.

How did you first learn to crochet?

When I was a little girl, my gran taught me how, but it was only when I was pregnant with my eldest that I really began crocheting in earnest. I was living in London and crochet helped me switch off after a long day. It also helped the nesting stage of my pregnancy… I made lots of blankets ready for our December arrival – my crochet kept me and bump nice and cosy. 

Do you have a day job too?

Yes, I work part-time as a languages teacher and I teach crochet in local yarn shops. I love to teach – for me, there’s nothing better than sharing a passion/skill and getting to witness that light-bulb moment when students get it. It’s a privilege to help people improve their knowledge. 

How did you get into crochet design?

I decided to take a tech editing course with Carol Ibbetson in her Cool Wool School. I learnt so much about how crochet patterns should be written, and it inspired me to begin writing my own. Carol has fostered a fabulous community of talented designers and tech editors. We curate a collection of patterns that come out periodically. It’s from there I gained the confidence to develop my own designs, with some published as part of these collections. 

Do you have a breakthrough pattern?

I consider my breakthrough pattern to be the Amour Tee (above) that was published in issue 176 of Inside Crochet. Featuring on the front cover of such a well-known magazine was amazing!

What inspires your designs?

My style is still evolving, but I love to create texture in everything I do. I really enjoy exploring different stitch patterns and learning new techniques. I’m inspired by nature and love being outdoors. A lot of ideas come from family walks in the Peak District or the changing seasons. For the next issue of Inside Crochet (178), I’ve been working on a design inspired by a family holiday finding fossils on the coast.

Which are your most popular designs?

As I run a lot of crochet classes, it’s often the simplest designs that are the most popular. I try to write patterns that give crocheters the opportunity to really explore and develop a stitch or technique.

Which achievements are you most proud of?

I had two crochet books for children published last year! I’m also creating my own website (something I knew nothing about before I started and is a constant work in progress!) and, of course, my work being featured in this magazine.

What’s your favourite part of the design process?

I enjoy each step for different reasons. However, I really love the initial design stage – where the concept first comes together. Sometimes, it can be tricky getting what’s in my head on to paper. I don’t consider myself an artist at all and I’m embarrassed to show others my sketches – but each time I do, it gets a little easier. Plus, when it’s on the paper, I can really see the potential for the design, and that’s super-exciting! 

If you couldn’t be a crochet designer, you’d be a….

Journalist! I always wanted to be Kate Adie when I was young. 

What are you looking forward to this year?

I want to focus more on my crochet business. I’d love to continue designing and building my portfolio. I’d also love to write another book and I have a couple of strong ideas ready to be explored. 

Find Jen’s patterns on Ravelry or at stitchstreet.co.uk