Where do you get your inspiration? Personally, I read crochet books, scroll through Instagram or watch videos on YouTube. Ideas and inspiration everywhere! I firmly believe we can learn the most from each other. That’s why this series puts a different maker in the spotlight every time. Today: Sanne from ChaiCrafts.
About Sanne
Sanne (20) lives in a small town in the Dutch countryside. Alongside her master’s degree (Hebrew language and culture), she spends a lot of time on crafts. She designs her own crochet and knitting patterns, which you can browse and buy on her website.
Learned from my grandmother
‘I’ve basically been making things my whole life. As a kid I loved crafting: drawing, coloring, painting, plaster casting, embroidery and card making. I did it all. When I was around eight, my grandmother taught me knit and purl. She didn’t really enjoy knitting herself, so that was as far as her lessons went.
At eighteen I started crocheting seriously. I discovered Ravelry and found out there are an enormous number of patterns available online. I learned all kinds of new techniques from YouTube tutorials and clearly written crochet patterns. On Ravelry I also saw the most beautiful knitted garments go by. I decided I wanted to get serious about that too and bought a set of interchangeable circular needles. Those YouTube tutorials are how I really learned to knit.’
Actually making something
‘Because there were no serious knitters around me, I had no idea you could actually make something with a pattern. Back then I knitted a few little scarves for my youngest brother’s stuffed animals, but mostly I knitted a swatch and then ripped it back out again. Which got boring fast, of course. When I was about thirteen, a teacher gave me my first knitting pattern, for baby booties and a baby hat.
She also gave me a quick introduction to crochet. That got me back on the needles: I knitted a baby hat and three pairs of baby booties. I also knitted two matching cases for my sister’s mp3 player and mine. The cases were black with neon pink crochet flowers.’
Garments are the best part
‘I still love that I can put together a garment based entirely on my own preferences. That way you always have the perfect material, the perfect color and the perfect fit.’
Questions and answers
Favorite crochet spot?
‘On the couch, watching a film.’
Sources of inspiration?
‘@berriesandbonnets, @alterationfinds, @gregoriafibers, @oshenknits, @the_knit_purl_girl, @nomadstitches, @lilykatemakes, @knitwearbyjoan and @augustins.dk, among others.’
Biggest crafting frustration?
‘People asking whether you’ll crochet or knit something for them for free.’
Do you have a lot of WIPs (works in progress), or do you always finish a project before starting a new one?
‘It varies! For years I only ever had one project on my needles. After that it sometimes went up to four or five, usually because I was working on several collaborations at once. Lately I mostly have two WIPs: one easy project I can work on while I do homework or watch a film, and one trickier project (usually a new design) where I have to calculate and count more. Sometimes I knit or crochet a sample for another designer, and then I have a third WIP.’
What do you enjoy most about crafting?
‘Ahh, that’s a hard one, there are so many things to love about crafting! I love working with my hands. On top of that it’s a creative outlet where you can experiment and play endlessly with colors and textures. I also find it really practical that you can pick up a knitting or crochet project and put it down again so easily. And finally it’s a genuinely useful hobby: by now my wardrobe is almost entirely handmade!’
What will your next project be?
‘I’m not sure yet! I’ve promised myself to work through some of my yarn stash over the coming months, but I don’t have a specific project in mind. This spring I’ll definitely be starting the Mosaic Jumper by Nomad Stitches!’
Which projects are you most proud of?
‘There’s a new design coming that I’m incredibly excited about. The construction and the fit are exactly what I had in mind! Since it’s a collaboration I can’t say too much yet. So here’s just a sneak peek :)’
Flor, Ya’ar and Myrtle are also designs where I tried something new that worked out really well.
And in 2022 I knitted the House Dressing by The Flying Yak – one of my favorite projects of all time! Sadly I haven’t had the chance to photograph the finished piece yet.’
Your very first projects?
- Blue and green little scarves for my youngest brother’s stuffed animals;
- A white baby hat with cat ears and a cat face;
- Three pairs of baby booties. I gave a white pair as a new-baby gift to a couple who lived on my street. I also knitted a pink pair and an orange pair for my newborn sister;
- Cases for mp3 players. The cases were knitted in black yarn and made up of blocks in different textures (stockinette, garter and moss stitch). Neon pink crochet flowers were sewn on and the case closed with a neon pink drawstring.
Sadly I don’t have any photos of these projects, and I don’t have the projects themselves anymore either.
Where can we follow you?
You can buy my patterns in Dutch and in English in my webshop and on Ravelry. On my website you’ll also find a number of free patterns. For more inspiration, you can follow me on Instagram.
