Designer we love

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I live in a small town in the Chilterns with my husband and four teenage children plus a menagerie of pets including a cat, three chickens and three guinea pigs! I have been designing and teaching crochet for more than 10 years now. I design crochet clothing and accessory patterns with a focus on using granny squares. I love vintage style, so my garments tend to have a nostalgic feel but with a modern, colourful twist!

How did you first learn to crochet?

I first learnt to crochet when I was pregnant with my youngest child. I was struggling with post-natal depression and my health visitor suggested learning a new hobby. I had always wanted to crochet so I joined a local class – and I haven’t looked back!

Is crochet design your ‘day job’?

I’m a qualified primary school teacher but stopped teaching when I had my children because we couldn’t afford the childcare. I loved teaching so I’m delighted to be able to continue to use my skills to teach adults to crochet. My experience as a teacher also helps with my pattern writing because I’m used to breaking things down into logical steps.

How did you get into crochet design?

I started by teaching crochet and always designed my own projects for my classes. When I shared these projects on social media people began asking to buy my patterns, so I began to publish them. I still design for my classes, but I now also design just for the love of creating new patterns!

Has there been a ‘breakthrough’ moment in your career?

During Covid I was asked to be a guest designer on a new TV shopping channel – Yarn Lane TV (part of Sewing Street TV). My first show was very nerve-racking, but I have now been a guest designer on Yarn Lane TV for over three years and I love it. This has increased my exposure massively – my breakthrough pattern on the show was a granny-square jumper kit that sold out twice. I have a fab photo of my family modelling the colourways!

What inspires your designs?

I love vintage and collect ceramics, jewellery and kitchenalia from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and I have a large collection of vintage crochet pattern books which I enjoy looking through for inspiration. I’m also inspired by designers such as Orla Kiely and Cath Kidston. I like to think my designs give this nostalgic style a modern twist and I love to use bright colours.

Which are your most popular designs?

My most popular designs are anything that involves a traditional granny square! My Jaygo Jacket is by far my best seller, closely followed by the Autumn Days Hexie Cardigan and the Feel the Vibes Bag. My personal favourite is the Flower Power Cardigan because this is the first garment I designed using hexagons and long crochet stitches – I love the effect it has.

What achievements are you most proud of?

I’ve written a crochet clothing pattern book – My Granny Square Wardrobe – that will be published by Search Press later this year! This is a dream come true and most definitely my proudest achievement so far! But it’s also really exciting when someone sends me a photo of something they have made using my pattern and tells me how much they have enjoyed making it – that’s my favourite part of this job.

Any advice for an aspiring crochet designer?

Design something you love. If you love it then other people will too!

Buy Sam’s patterns from adventuresincrafting.co.uk or her Etsy shop at etsy.com/uk/shop/SamSabidoCrochets