Hey friends! Today I am doing something new here on the blog! Welcome my new “Sierra’s Picks” segment!
Wondering what in the world “Sierra’s Picks” is? Well no worries, I am here to share all the deets 😉
In these posts I will be sharing and showcasing fellow designers. Both crochet and knit, of all levels. The main goal of these posts is to introduce you to new patterns, new designers, and even a new friend 😉
Now here is where it will be different from other “round ups” you may have seen. I will only be showcasing people who I find/follow on instagram who have 10K or LESS of a following!! WHY you ask? Well friends it’s simple, I want to showcase peoples amazing patterns who don’t already have a HUGE audience. I want to give them a shot at even more people seeing their hard-work, than the people that already follow them.
As I am sure you have seen or experienced on IG the big accounts seem to just keep getting bigger by the second, but there are “smaller” accounts (including myself) who are growing a bit more slowly. But the people behind these “smaller” accounts are putting out some AMAZING content, and if I can help even a little by sharing their talents that is my goal <3
As I was trying (struggling) to grow my Instagram account, the biggest thing that helped me truly see growth and engagement was when BIG NAME people shared my patterns, or posts. Just simple math right, the bigger the following the more people to potentially see your stuff, and like/follow/buy from you.
Now not saying I am the biggest Insta account out there, I am sure you can list 10 people off the top of your head that have WAY better numbers then me. But I feel like I have reached a good point in the instagram world where I can now play out this idea I have had for years!
Wanna check these out later? Save this pin to your Pinterest Boards!
Our community is known for being supportive, and I want to keep adding to that! For this round up I went through my IG feed for days, seeing what the people I already follow were posting, and then went and looked around on a few hashtags to see what was new. I wanted this round up to be “New Crochet Patterns”. These patterns were picked by me because, they stood out to me for one reason or another ( I will be sharing each reason under their pattern), but overall it was at random, I didn’t seek anyone out. I scrolled, liked, followed, and messaged these ladies and now I this fun blog post to share with you!
If you want me to see your next pattern or just share your creations with me use #SierrasPicks on insta so maybe next round up I can have the pleasure of sharing something of yours 😉
Some of these patterns are brand spanking new, others are have been out for a couple weeks. ALL of them are awesome! Are you ready to meet the makers?!
1.
The Kodaik Cowl: Created by @HickoryLaneHandmade
First up we have this super fun Faux Fur Cowl! This stood out to me because of the yarn!! If you haven’t seen the “Go Faux Fur” yarn yet, this is what it looks like worked up! I bought some of this yarn and y’all let me tell you its SO SOFT! I have yet to make anything with it until NOW, I am going to make one of these awesome Kodaik Cowls 🙂
Lisa over at @HickoryLaneHandmade is offering this pattern for FREE. You can find the pattern on RAVERLY
Be sure to go check Lisa out on insta, she knits, crochets, dyes yarn AND makes faux fur poms! SAY WHATTT! She’s clearly a super talented lady 😉
I sent all the makers featured this post, 3 questions so we can get to know them a little better! Here are Lisa’s answers:
Q: How did you learn to crochet?
A: A friend of mine taught me how to crochet the very basic “double crochet” stitch. I then taught myself through YouTube the rest of the stitches as well as how to knit (the pattern is both knit and crochet ?)
Q: What Inspired you to design this pattern?
A: I didn’t have any inspiration to design this pattern—I saw the yarn at Walmart and thought it would be beautiful and super cozy in a Cowl. I took a risk because i had no idea how the yarn would work up, but I’m glad I did! 🙂
Q: Share a fun fact about yourself or your crafty business!
A: The bear in my logo comes from the black bear that was running around my neighborhood the year I started my business
2.
The ADIRONDACK WALL HANGING Created by @TLBpatterns
Next we have this super unique and fun wall hanging! This pattern stood out to me because its a wall hanging!! I don’t normally see a lot of crocheted wall hangings, and this one is made so beautifully how could I not fall in love with it! It gives off amazing texture, and the picture is simple yet bold! LOVE LOVE LOVE this piece! I am definitely adding it to my “To Make List”!
Emily has this pattern for sale on ETSY for $5.25 USD.
@TLBpatterns instagram is filled with tapestry crochet pieces like this. I have actually made one of her pillow patterns and it was a blast to make! Be sure to go give her a follow, to see what awesome design she is coming out with next!!
Here are Emily’s answers:
Q: How did you learn to crochet?
A: I actually taught myself from YouTube videos and then took a class at my local JoAnn Fabrics to ask a real live person some questions I had. I wish I had a better story involving a grandmother or aunt who taught me, but actually I’m one of the only crafty people in my family. I’ve been teaching my girls here and there (when they’re interested) so hopefully they can keep the craft going as they get older 😉
Q: What inspired you to design this pattern?
A: A few things, actually… First, I’ve always wanted to travel cross country and see all the things each state has to offer. Specifically, I have a serious interest in visiting national parks and seeing the mountains! I’ve never seen beautiful mountains with my own eyes and that’s definitely something on my bucket list. Because of this, I’ve been naturally drawn to a lot of the mountain themed decor that’s out now, and I recently redecorated my living room with a lot of mountain/adventure related pieces. Put that together with my legit obsession with wall hangings, and my crochet brain told me that I needed to create something that combines those two loves…
Q: Share a fun fact about yourself or your crafty business!
A: I watch the Price is Right every day when I eat lunch. Seriously. Like I scream when people win (and I’m all by myself at the house. So embarrassing. I hope the neighbors can’t hear.)… I was on the show back when Bob Barker was the host and I was recently at the Price is Right Live, but unfortunately I didn’t get to “come on down” to either of them. I’m still holding out hope though. I’m gonna win big cash prizes one day! I know it!
3.
The “Hill Country Scarf” Created by @heartoftexashandmade
Next up is this awesome textured scarf with two poms at the end! How stinking fun! What stood out to me about this pattern was all the yummy texture!! I absolutely LOVE texture so when something has a ton of it like this beauty, I am instantly drawn to it! It helps that its in that mustard color, and has two faux fur poms at the end! 😉
Lori offers this pattern for FREE on Ravelry!
@heartoftexashandmade Insta is a fun feed to follow. Lori crochets and knits, and works up some pretty awesome projects! Go check her out, and add this textured beauty to your Ravelry Library ASAP 😉
Let’s check out her answers:
Q: How did you learn to crochet?
A: My sweet great grandmother taught me to crochet when I was about 10 years old. I made a few things here and there, but after my kids were grown, I really took more of an interest in crochet and it turned into quite the obssession for me.
Q: What Inspired you to design this pattern?
A: The Hill Country Scarf was designed as a companion to my Hill Country Beanie. I was just playing around with different stitches one day, and came up with the beanie design. After I finally wrote the pattern for the beanie, I decided a matching scarf would be super cute! I really love poms, so I knew I wanted them to be a feature of the scarf design.
Q: Share a fun fact about yourself or your crafty business!
A: I’m really into genealogy as well as crochet, so it makes my heart happy to practice a craft that was passed down from my ancestors.
4.
The Willow Scarf, Designed by @Crocheting_lefty
Last, but certainly not least we have this gorgeous scarf! The color work and stitching stood out to me in this pattern. I even love the colors Sarah choose for this scarf! Also the DRAPE in this scarf is everything!!
Sarah just released this pattern, and you can find it in her Etsy Shop for $6 USD.
@Crocheting_lefty IG is filled with so many other great scarf patterns she has created! So if you are a scarf lover like me, you will want to check Sarah out! 🙂
Let’s find out Sarah’s answers:
Q: How did you learn to crochet?
A: I learned in high school during home economics class. I was the first left handed student my teacher had ever had. She had such a difficult time trying to teaching me, but we pushed through it. I am so grateful for her determination.
Q: What inspired you to design this pattern?
A: I love thumbing through stitch books, it’s where I get most of my inspiration. For this scarf, I wanted something light weight, delicate and feminine for spring.
Q: Share a fun fact about yourself or your crafty business.
A: I love yarn. My most favorite yarn is from small independent shops. This might be more weird then funny, but when I get happy yarn mail, each hank goes through a test: first I smell them, squish the hank in my hand, and then run it across my face to feel the softness.
Thanks so much for joining me in my first ever “Sierra’s Picks”! I truly hope you enjoyed these patterns, and the makers! Make sure you go check each of these talented ladies out!! See ya next time friends.
