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Crochet Designer Interview: HanJan Crochet

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Last week we told you Marly Bird blogger Kathryn Vercillo is also a long-time columnist at Happily Hooked digital magazine. As you know, four designers are participating together in the Classic Cable Collection CAL, launched last week. Over the years, Kathryn has done a crochet designer interview with each of us for the magazine. So, we wanted to share those with you.

HanJan crochet logo - crochet designer interview - Marly Bird

Classic Cable Collection CAL Crochet Designer Interviews

Each week, the Classic Cable Collection CAL features a design from one of the four of us:

Crochet cross cable pillow - HanJan Crochet

Meet Hannah of HanJan Crochet

Hannah Crossed learned to crochet a little over a decade ago. Shortly after learning crochet, she launched HanJan Crochet, her crochet design brand. Her work has been featured in a range of different magazine including Mollie Makes, Simply Crochet and here at Happily Hooked. She’s here today to tell us a little more about her love of the craft. So here’s her crochet designer interview.

Crochet Designer Interview: HanJan Crochet

When and how did you learn to crochet?

I learned to crochet in 2010 when I was recovering from knee surgery. I had many friends expecting babies at the time, so I made them each a crochet blanket as a gift. My Mum taught me how to make a granny square and from there on I just taught myself the rest! 

How special to give those blankets as gifts! Do you have a specific memory of one?

My favorite crochet memory is seeing my best friend unwrap the blanket I designed for her first daughter Elsie. She knew just how much love I’d put into it and it’s still treasured to this day which means so much to me.

crochet mandala kaleidoscope pattern by hannah - crochet designer interview

Besides that one, what’s one of your favorite things you’ve ever crocheted and why?

My Kaleidoscope Mandala Throw. I really wanted to challenge myself with constructing a blanket to make it work as a crochet spiral, and I happily loved how it turned out! 

How would you say that your crochet has changed from when you started?

My crochet has definitely evolved with me over the years. Designwise, I am always trying to push myself with techniques and ideas but sometimes keeping it simple still works really well. There seems to be a magic formula of the right yarn, stitch and style and I love trying to find that perfect match every time I design something. 

What are some of your favorite crochet techniques/stitches/ patterns?

I go through phases of techniques that I love. I love working C2C, cables, post stitches and anything that adds texture.

Yep, that makes sense since she’s one of the designers in our crochet cable collection!

Regarding patterns, I always love creating blankets but have recently started designing more garments (for children and adults) and bags! I love making bags!

I get worried about getting stuck in a rut, so I make sure I’m always designing a wide variety of things to keep it varied and make sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

What’s the process like when you design a crochet pattern? What are some words you would use to describe your patterns?

The design process for me is very organic – it might start with some new yarn or a shape or motif. I rarely sketch and only figure out the numbers once I’ve got the idea set in my head. I commit to things and rarely change anything once I get going. If I’ve got the idea set in my head and the numbers work out, then it normally just flies off the hook (not always, though!).

Is there a technique you don’t know yet that you’d like to learn one day?

I’ve always wanted to try out Tunisian crochet, but I’ve just never gotten around to really learning it. Every year I say I will but I never do! 

c2c crochet cable pillow

In what ways has crochet changed/improved your life?

Crochet and having a crochet business have completely changed my life! Crocheting keeps me calm and grounded, and I love getting lost in the rhythm of a project for mindfulness and calm.

In terms of a crochet business, HanJan Crochet has grown beyond anything I could ever have imagined. It allows me to work around my young family. And it has given me so many wonderful friends and taken me to the most amazing places, too. 

When and why did you decide to start your blog? What has that experience been like for you?

I started my HanJan Crochet business first, and I started my blog almost as soon as I started the business in 2012. I didn’t know what I was doing then, and the blog sort of got neglected over the years until I suddenly found my voice at the beginning of 2020.

At that time, I realized I’d acquired so much knowledge of patterns and crochet over the years that people seemed to enjoy reading! I decided to go for it and expand my content on the blog. I absolutely love it.

The experience has been more about learning how to undo everything I did wrong on it in the beginning! (I’m not that skilled at the technology side of things!) And learning what works as I go. Luckily, my subscribers hugely support me and know I’m doing my best!

What do you most hope that people take away from your blog?

I would love for people to find a bit of inspiration, a bit of education and most of all a sense of community from my blog. It’s so wonderful to have a platform to share my ideas and all things crochet and I love hearing back from everyone that reads and enjoys it. 

What are some of your favorite qualities about the craft? What do you most love about it?

I love that crochet is so adaptable; it can be big, bold, gentle, or delicate. It can be quick and easy or slow and complex. It can be anything you need it to be at the time, and I love that about it.

Sometimes I want to make my brain work really hard at a technique or pattern and sometimes I just want to work row after row without thinking or looking. Crochet can give you all of these things and more. 

If you could tell a beginner one thing about crochet, what would it be?

Be brave! Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t experienced enough for this or that. If you know the basics of pattern reading and stitch formation, you can achieve anything with enough perseverance! You don’t have to work with simple patterns forever, so have a go at something you really want to make! 

What other crafts/hobbies do you enjoy?

I love knitting, baking, gardening, crafting with my children (generally messy things!), and mostly anything where I can be creative. I’ll have a go at pretty much anything! 

What crochet hopes/plans do you have for the next year or two?

Gosh, where do I start?! I’d love to keep growing my blog and sharing patterns for everyone to enjoy. I have some exciting plans and new collaborations with people I haven’t worked with before, so that’s exciting. I’m also planning to open up for guest designer submissions for the blog, which I never thought would be possible!

Paying it forward, who are some of your favorite crochet designers/ bloggers?

There are so many I admire! I love the work of Veronika from BlueStar Crochet, Nadia from the Moule Hole, Fran Morgan, Briana of Briana K Designs, Pam of Sincerely Pam, so many! I am lucky enough to call these fabulous people my friends too which is an honor. 

What else would you like us to know about you?

I grew up and live in the UK with my husband, our two young sons, and our dog Ginny. I am also a Midwife working for the NHS and love that job.

Where can we find you online?

We hope you’ve enjoyed this crochet designer interview with HanJan Crochet. Look out for more crochet coming soon…

Crochet Interview: Michelle of MJ’s Off The Hook Designs

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Marly Bird blogger Kathryn Vercillo is also a Happily Hooked digital magazine columnist. There are four of us designers participating together in the Classic Cable Collection CAL, which launched last week. And guess what, over the years, Kathryn has done a crochet interview with each of us for that magazine. So, we wanted to share those with you.

Crochet Interview: Michelle of MJ’s Off The Hook Designs

Classic Cable Collection CAL Crochet Interviews

Each week, the Classic Cable Collection CAL features a design from one of the four of us:

  • See my crochet interview with Kathryn from 2020 here
  • This week we’re featuring Briana K Designs and her Infinity crochet cable technique. See Kathryn’s crochet interview with Briana about this technique here on Briana’s blog
  • Last week the CAL featured MJ’s Off the Hook Designs. Below is Kathryn’s interview with her. This first appeared in the October 2021 issue of Happily Hooked Digital Magazine
  • Next week, the Classic Cable CAL features HanJan Crochet. On this blog, we will have Kathryn’s crochet interview with Hannah.
Crochet cable collection

Crochet Interview: Meet Michelle of MJ’s Off The Hook Designs

Michelle Moore was a long-time scarf knitter, but in 2012 her daughter joined a knit and crochet club in school, inspiring Michelle to start learning how to crochet. She used a how-to CD and taught herself the basics. Then she was off and running. She started MJ’s Off The Hook Designs.

Even as a relatively new designer, she quickly drew attention to her unique work. She created some very popular whimsical blanket designs—like the crochet mermaid tail blanket and shark crochet blanket—that actually landed her a spot on Tyra Banks’s FabLife TV show.

Since then, she’s continued growing her design work, blog, and YouTube channel while founding a second business and co-founding a third. She’s here to tell us more about it in this crochet interview.

Cable collection CAL- Celtic weave baskets

What inspired you to learn to crochet when your daughter joined the yarn club?

I’ve always loved making things. My nan taught me to knit at a young age, but I didn’t really pick it up until much later, and even then, I mostly just made scarves. However, I was drawn to yarn and the idea that I could make something with it. I didn’t know if I would be good at crochet, but I was willing to try it.

What made crochet stick with you better than knitting?

My knitting skills are limited, so the only similarities between the two crafts are that they both use yarn. Crochet just came more naturally to me. 

I also think that I could crochet much faster than I could knit, making crochet far more attractive to me. Being a busy mom with young children, I loved how quickly I could make them a hat. It’s definitely what hooked me. Speed and the ease of growing my skill level made crochet stick for me.

Does your daughter still crochet?

Yes, she does.  She doesn’t have that much time for it, but when she does, she loves it. My daughter made simple crochet ornaments for our tree last year and really enjoyed it. She finds it so relaxing.

What is one of your favorite crochet memories?

Like most crocheters, I have many. Crochet has just brought me so much happiness over the years. However, I have to say that what comes to mind is the first hat I ever crocheted with a flower on it. It was actually one of my first projects. I made it for my youngest daughter Meghan. She was 18 months old at the time and received so many compliments on her hat.  People were always shocked to learn it was my first time making a crochet piece. It inspired me to make more things, ultimately leading me to where I am today.

What a special memory! How has crochet changed since you started?

It seems to have become more popular. Designs are becoming more available and more modern. There is a greater selection of blogs, YouTube videos, and various patterns to choose from. There are many more options to choose from than when I first learned from that How-To-Crochet CD.

Hooded owl blanket pattern by MJ

You’ve crocheted a lot of great designs over the years. What is one of your favorite things you’ve ever crocheted, and why?

My favorite design is my Hooded Owl Blanket. It’s my top-selling pattern and definitely one of my cutest. It went viral in 2017. But that’s not why it’s my favorite.

When my daughter struggled in school, we made the tough decision to pull her out of high school and enroll her in a private cognitive school. I was worried about the tuition cost, but I knew it was the best decision for my daughter.

Immediately following that decision, the owl pattern went viral. Because of that, I was able to pay for her tuition. It was such an exciting time and a memory I’ll never forget. It ended up receiving 39 million views on my FB post.  I still have a hard time believing it. 

That is so wonderful. I believe that when we do what we are meant to be doing in life, things work out the way they’re supposed to, and this sounds like such a great example. So, you must have already been blogging by 2015. When and why did you decide to start your blog?

When I began pattern writing in 2015, I decided to create a website and blog. At that time, my focus was primarily on publishing patterns, so I rarely posted on the blog itself. Over the last few years, my blog has become a larger part of my business.

Qualifying with Mediavine for ads on my blog has allowed me to publish free content while earning an income. My blog compliments my YouTube channel well. My free patterns now include video tutorials I post on YouTube with a link to my blog. Then for paid patterns, I have video courses available on my website.

I think that’s a great explanation of why crochet bloggers/ designers often have a similar setup. You want to offer free content but still need to make money, so you have an ad-based blog and YouTube for that. Then you also offer paid patterns, courses, etc., where you can create higher-value content and offer stuff for those willing to buy to support crochet designers.

What are your hopes or plans for your crochet business in the next year or two?

My focus is to continue growing my blog and YouTube channel by offering more free content with tutorials. My YouTube channel hit 100K subscribers this year, and I hope to reach 200K next year. Help her out by subscribing right here.

crochet cable nesting baskets

So, you started designing patterns in 2015. Can you tell us about those early days?

I was very reluctant to start selling my patterns. But I began creating my own designs very quickly after learning to crochet. I was intimidated to share my work with others because I was self-taught and didn’t feel confident in my writing style. So, at first, I would sell my finished items. After selling products for a couple of years, though, I began to get so many requests for my patterns that I decided to take the leap and publish my work.  

And it’s paid off! What’s your crochet design process like?

I generally play with yarn first and see if my idea takes shape. That involves swatching, sketching, and just a little trial and error crocheting up my vision. For garments, I look at stitch patterns, and swatch, and then figure out the math for sizing before jumping in and working out the full design.

How would you describe your patterns?

My crochet patterns are unique and generally quick to make. I’m frequently told that my designs are classy and easy to follow.

Classy is a great word! In fact, a few years ago, Michelle really fell in love with luxury fibers. She launched a second business called Sentry Box Designs “with the goal of offering yarn-lovers a crochet pattern haven of fashionable garments best complimented by those luxury fibres; a way for makers to take a moment and splurge on themselves when they’re so used to creating for others.” Make sure to check that site out as well!

If someone is just starting to come to your blog, what do you hope they might take away from it?

I hope that crocheters are inspired to create new and exciting pieces. The video tutorials I provide help beginners tackle projects they wouldn’t otherwise try.

What would you share if you could tell a beginner a few things about crochet?

I would say to go for it!

The most important part is learning how to hold the yarn. Once you get that down, the hard part is over. Next is just practice and patience to get consistent tension. I would highly suggest watching YouTube tutorials.

Next, I would explain the importance of a gauge swatch before starting a pattern. You must go up in hook size if you have more stitches than the gauge states. If you have fewer stitches, you must go down in hook size. Gauge does matter, especially when making garments.

Finally, when substituting yarns, instead of just comparing the yarn weight, it’s critical to check the yarn thickness because different yarns still have variances even if they are the same weight. I use a straightforward equation. I take the yards on a ball and divide it by the grams. That is the number I compare when looking at yarn substitutes.

Those are such great tips! You obviously love crochet. What are some of your favorite qualities about the craft?

I love how many things you can make. I particularly love making Home Decor items, but I also love crochet garments and accessories. There’s always something I’m inspired to create. If I get bored doing specific projects, I just take a break and spend time on something different. I often just get inspired out of the blue to make something completely random. Then, those often end up becoming my most popular designs.

What are some of your favorite crochet techniques/stitches/ patterns?

I love the magic ring and seamless join techniques. Some of my favorite stitches are the herringbone double crochet and extended single crochet. I immensely enjoy creating cable crochet design patterns.

And that makes perfect sense since she’s one of the four designers in this crochet cable CAL!

Is there a technique or pattern in crochet that you have trouble with? How about one you don’t know yet that you would like to learn one day? 

The bullion stitch is challenging, and I’d love to learn how to try Solomon’s Knot stitch one day. 

What other crafts/hobbies do you enjoy besides knitting and crochet?

I love decorating and making any crafts for my home, including wreaths, centrepieces, front porch displays etc.

Besides crafts, I love outdoor activities, including biking, running, skating, and swimming. I’ll also hop on the toboggan with the kids anytime.

If you could invite five people to a craft party—living or dead, real or fictional—who would you invite and why?

My grandmas are the only people I would love to have craft with me. I didn’t even know how to crochet when they were alive. They would be so proud, and I would learn so much from them if they could be here. Three out of our four grandmas were proficient knitters and crocheters.  One of my grandmas didn’t do either, but I still want to show her everything I’ve learned!

I think that would be the most wonderful party! Paying it forward, who are some of your favorite crochet designers/bloggers?

Over the years, I’ve made many great friends in the industry. I highly admire Marly Bird, Sarah (Repeat Crafter Me), Toni (TL Yarn Crafts), and Brittany (BHooked).

Aw, shucks 🙂

I’ve recently gone into business with three talented designers: Briana (Briana K Designs), Pam (Sincerely Pam), and Lorene (Cre8tion Crochet). We started Crochet Foundry magazine, a quarterly digital magazine featuring size-inclusive garments. Through this venture, I’m excited to work with many talented designers.

You have so many amazing things going on. You’re an inspiring woman, crafter, and community member. Before we wrap up, what else would you like us to know about you in this crochet interview?

I’m a down-to-earth country girl. My husband and I own a farm in Douro, Ontario, and have four amazing kids: three girls and one boy. All four of my kids love to model and help how they can with the business. My husband also pitches in with shipping orders, social media, blogging, and pulling up the slack with house stuff. My father does my bookkeeping and will likely respond to all your download and tech support questions. I don’t know how I’d get it all done without their help and support.

Hopefully, this crochet interview has taught you a lot about Michelle. Connect with Michelle on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. And, of course, be sure to join her as part of the cable collection CAL! Look out for our other designers’ crochet interviews, too!

Cables are not JUST for Knitters: (BiCrafty Bootcamp: Beginner Crochet Lessons for Knitters: Lesson 10)

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Whether you’re a master cabler in knitting, or just a wannabe cabler, no one can deny the beauty of a cable. The dimension and texture a cable adds to any project, whether it be a hat, sweater, or scarf like we’ll be making this week, the cable screams sophistication!

And you may think that cables are exclusive to knit projects, but you’d be wrong! Over there years there have been many different crochet techniques to achieve the same effect as the knitted cable, and we will chat about that this week!

BiCrafty-Bootcamp-Crochet-landing-copy

Refreshing Our Memories

Just another reminder that you can access the main BiCrafty Bootcamp Crochet page any time to see links to all of the lessons and videos. We’ve also shared the MATERIALS LIST for part two of bootcamp, so you should go order your yarn now if you haven’t done so already!

This Week’s Materials

Today we’re jumping in to our next project and for this we are using Swish Worsted and an H (5 mm) or I (5.5 mm) hook or size to obtain gauge.

Crochet Cables

Similar to knitting, the basic foundation of a crochet cable is the same concept. Skipping stitches and coming back to them later. But unlike knitting, you’re not having live stitches you need to account for, since – as we’ve chatted about before – you bind off every crochet stitch, essentially, at the time it is made. The key to basic crochet cables is really, a simple post stitch. Front post double crochet (FPDC) and Back post double crochet (BPDC) are the building blocks of a cable stitch.

Here are some helpful tutorials I’ve done in the past to help you master these stitches!

How to use cable crochet stitches to create fabric

Typically, it is done by skipping a certain amount of stitches, creating post stitches, and then working either in front or behind your post stitches back into the stitches you skipped! Don’t worry, I’ll show you exactly what to do in this week’s Bootcamp video!

Things to keep in mind when working crochet cables

  • Generally creates thick fabric
  • Uses a LOT of yarn
  • Can appear to have holes behind the cable (due to skipped stitches)
  • A bigger hook than what a yarn calls for can help with a cable fabric getting too tight
  • Keep thes stitch tidy, don’t allow the loops to stretch too much when creating the post stitches

BiCrafty Bootcamp Lesson 10 Crochet Video

Woven Crochet Cables
Woven Crochet Cables

Woven Basket Crochet Cables Stitch Pattern

Ch multiple of 4

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hk, dc in each ch to end, turn.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc throughout), *bpdc around next 2 sts, fpdc around next 2 sts; repeat from * across, dc in top of tch, turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, *fptr around next 2 sts, bptr around next 2 sts; repeat from * across, dc in top of tch, turn.

Repeat Rows 2-3 to desired length.

Traditional Crochet Cable Stitch
Traditional Crochet Cable

Traditional Crochet Cables

Ch 22

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hk, dc in each ch to end, turn — 20 dc

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc throughout), hdc in next 2 sts, *BPdc around next 6 sts, hdc in next 2 sts; repeat from * across to tch, hdc in top of tch, turn.

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc throughout), dc in next 2 hdc, *skip 3 dc, FPtr around next 3 dc, FPtr around previous 3 skipped dc (work in front of sts just made), dc in next 2 hdc; repeat from * across to tch, dc in top of tch, turn.

Rows 4: Repeat Row 2

Row 5: Ch 3, dc in next 2 hdc, *FPtr around next 6 dc, dc in next 2 hdc; repeat from * across to tch, dc in top of tch, turn.

Repeat Rows 2-5 to desired length.

Homework is the Rylan Crochet Cable Cowl & Scarf Pattern.

Follow along with the instructions and make this stunning neck accessory!

13 Circle in Square Crochet and Knit Free Patterns

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Circles made into squares are a common choice for many afghans and pillows. Knit or crochet the circle in a colorful shade, then make the square part neutral so they really stand out. These circle in square crochet and knit patterns can be used to create all kinds of different things.

To make a circle, you increase several times evenly around the piece. To make a square, you increase just at four evenly-space points. You’ll use both techniques in these patterns. Therefore, you’ll get the chance to really explore how shapes are made.

You can take what you learn making these projects and make your own projects! Take a few of the squares from a throw and combine them into a matching pillow, or make the front and back of a pillow, line it, and turn it into a bag. Your only limit is your creativity! Need some ideas: Check out our roundup of crochet and knit squares patterns.

13 Circle in Square Crochet and Knit Free Patterns

Circle in Square Crochet and Knit Projects

Most of the circle in square projects that you’ll find patterns for are blankets. After all, it’s so easy to turn squares into blankets. Therefore, most of the patterns here are throws of different sizes and styles. You’ll also find some circle in square pillows to go with them. Make a matching set for your guest room. Or to give as gifts. They are simple to make and yet they look really special.

Pin Point Crochet Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

Also on the Blog

Here are some of the other great blanket patterns that we think you might be interested in. These aren’t circle in square blanket patterns. However, they’re great knit and crochet patterns for blankets in different sizes. Blankets are just such great projects to make at any time of year. If you run out of room for them, gift them. If you run out of people to gift them to then donate them to charity.

New Year’s Resolutions: Knit/Crochet Habit Tracker Blanket!

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Kathryn here with a guest post for you today. This habit tracker blanket idea is a riff on the classic temperature blanket that many people start at the beginning of a new year. However, instead of tracking temperatures, you track something much more personal: your goals! This is a brand new exercise similar to some that you would find in my book, Hook To Heal: 100 Crochet Exercises For Health, Growth, Connection, Inspiration and Honoring Your Inner Artist.

Have you ever made a temperature blanket? The knit or crochet habit tracker blanket is a fresh variation on that classic New Year’s Project. You create a very similar blanket (or scarf, or whatever your project is) with strategically assigned colors and daily/weekly crafting goals. However, it’s a much more personal project.

how to knit or crochet a habit tracker blanket

What Is a Temperature Blanket?

In case you’re not familiar with the idea of a temperature blanket, or you need a refresher, let’s review. In fact, you can start by reading What Is a Temperature Blanket. But the gist is this:

  • You choose a blanket design, usually one that’s either motif-based or striped.
  • Then you assign a color to each temperature range. For example, if that day’s high temp is between 80 and 90, then you might work in red. If it’s between 70 and 80 then you might work in purple. You assign the colors to the temperatures in advance.
  • Each day or week you track the temperature. You knit or crochet one motif or one round for that day or week. (It’s designed as a daily project but some people find that a weekly temperature average works better for them.)
  • Then you keep it up until the end of the year. At that time, you have a finished blanket that chronicles the temperature throughout the year.

A temperature blanket gives you a daily or weekly craft goal. This inspires you to keep crafting even when you’re otherwise losing momentum. It’s fun to see those colors develop over time. It’s a great record of the year.

What Is a Habit Tracker Knit or Crochet Blanket?

This year, make that temperature blanket more personal than just whatever temperature it happens to be where you live. Instead, tie it to a goal. The basic idea remains the same. Here’s how to do it:

How to Knit or Crochet a Habit Tracker Blanket, Option 1 (Colorful)

  • Choose a New Year’s resolution (or goal or intention.) In fact, you can start a habit tracker blanket anytime. It can be any measurable goal. Reading more, eating more vegetables, exercising, etc. Choose something you really want to do.
  • Choose a blanket design. Here are some good basic stitch patterns that work. And here are some good temperature blanket patterns.
  • Select a time frame. (One year, one quarter, one month.) Decide if you’re making one row/round/motif per day or per week.
  • Divide your goal into measurable increments and assign a yarn color to each goal. For example, let’s say that your goal is to walk more. If you walk 0-10 minutes that day, then use blue. If you walk 10-20 minutes that day, then knit or crochet with green. If you walk 20-30 minutes per day then work with yellow. Etc. (Of course, you might use different shades of the same color instead of totally different colors. This is up to you!)

How to Knit or Crochet a Habit Tracker Blanket, Option 2 (2 Colors)

The basic idea of this version of the habit tracker blanket is the same. However, instead of having a bunch of colors correlating to increments of your goal, you just choose two colors. One is for “I met my goal today.” The other is for “oops, I didn’t meet my goal today.”

So, let’s say that your goal is to write every day. You choose a granny square blanket, with blue squares for days you write and purple squares for days that you don’t. At the end of each day you make your square. At the end of the year, you can visually see how often you met your goal. And even if you have an entirely purple blanket, well, you still made a new blanket!

Why A Habit Tracker Blanket Is Better Than a Temperature Blanket

A temperature blanket is a perfectly wonderful project. It provides you with a daily knit or crochet goal. When you achieve that goal, you feel good about yourself. That’s a terrific thing. Moreover, it does give you an interesting record of the year. You see visually how the temperatures changed throughout the year.

However, a habit tracker blanket is even better because it’s tied to something really personal to you. You not only set and achieve the goal of making the blanket but also another goal that you really care about. You might find that you push yourself to walk that extra ten minutes to use the color you want to use next.

At the end of the year, you can look back and see patterns. Sure, you see how much you did or didn’t meet your goal, which is helpful information. More than that, though, you see useful patterns such as that you read less during the busy season at work or you were more likely to walk in the summer than the winter.

Helpful Information For Your Habit Tracker Blanket

The posts we have here about temperature blankets will also help you if you decide to knit or crochet a habit tracker blanket:

We want to encourage you along the way. Share your goals, chosen designs, and progress photos in the Marly’s Minions Facebook Group and on Instagram with hashtags #marlybird and #habittrackerblanket

Handmade Craftivism: Dressember Fights Human Trafficking

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Kathryn here, Marly’s blog content director. Every once in a while I pop in with a post about a topic that’s close to my own heart. And at this time of year, that topic is Dressember. Last year, I joined the Namaste and Crochet Dressember team. Through our online craftivism, we raised $11,000 to fight human trafficking. We also raised awareness about the issue. Moreover, we shared a lot about how slow fashion (including knitting and crochet your own clothes), is an antidote to the fast fashion industry, which is a huge culprit of human slavery in the modern world. Namaste and Crochet is participating in Dressember again, so I’m back to tell you about it and encourage you to check it out.

What is Dressember?

Dressember is an event that challenges people to wear a dress and/or tie every single day of the month of December. Moreover, they ask that you post about it online. In other words, this is a style challenge. But it’s so much more than that. And thanks to Namaste and Crochet, there’s even a craftivism aspect to it. She has participated in this event for years. On her team, instead of a dress or tie, you can also opt to wear something handmade. As aforementioned, handmade clothing is one way that each of us can fight human slavery. So, that’s why I support her team, although all Dressember teams are doing great work. I love the craftivism aspect of her efforts. And as you’ll read in her story below, there are deep personal reasons why she came to care about this topic.

Dressember is an Anti Human Trafficking Campaign

Every year, Dressember raises millions of dollars to fight human trafficking. Not only do you get to enjoy dressing up every day, but you get to do so for a good cause. As you share your posts, you help raise money to combat this egregious violation against human rights. Moreover, you raise awareness about this critical issue that many people don’t know about. Even if you opt not to participate, following the cause on social media and sharing the information that others post can help raise funds and awareness.

What is Human Trafficking?

The United States Department of Justice explains that “Human Trafficking is a crime that involves exploiting a person for labor, services, or commercial sex.” The exploiters might use force, fraud, or coercion. While sex trafficking has gained a lot of attention in the news in recent years, it’s important to understand that slave labor is a big part of human trafficking. Yes, it happens. Today. In 2021. In America (and elsewhere).

The Dressember website reports that 40+ million people are impacted by human trafficking around the world today. Approximately 25% of those people are children. It’s a $150 billion a year industry.

What Does Dressember Do?

Dressember raises awareness so that people come to know that this is a major issue. The more awareness, the more chance of fighting the problem at every level. Moreover, the organization raises money and contributes it to well-researched organizations that fight human trafficking. Since launching in 2013, they’ve raised over $10 million for the cause. Check out their 2019/2020 impact report to learn more. I honestly learned so much about the issue through participating last year. It left a deep impression upon me and impacts the choices I make in purchases to this day.

Reasons to Participate in Dressember Craftivism

Fight human trafficking with Dressember Craftivism

You can participate in Dressember easily by joining the Namaste and Crochet fundraising team. Learn all about it here. There are also more details at the end of this post about how you can participate. If you’re new to craftivism, it’s just all about using crochet/ knitting/ crafting to raise awareness in the community. It can be as big or small, as political or apolitical as you want.

Dressember is a great cause. That’s the main reason that people want to participate, of course. In addition to that primary reason, here are some bonus reasons that you might want to participate in Dressember:

  • It’ll give you an opportunity to wear your own handmade items all month long. (See below about that aspect!) Get those things out of storage. Get the WIPs finished. Make something brand new.
  • You’ll be able to share your knit and crochet wearables with others in a meaningful way. Whether you highlight your own knit and crochet patterns or just showcase what you can do with hooks / needles, it’s fun to share this work with your online community. Craftivism celebrates the craft as much as the cause.
  • If you do the “wear a dress or tie” part in addition to the handmade part then you might have fun getting a little glammed up. Dressing up can feel good. It can brighten your own day.
  • You’ll get to be part of a great community. Several actually – the handmade community, the craftivism community, and the Dressember community. Maybe you’ll make some new online friends that inspire you.
  • It’s a chance to be a craftivist. You’re truly doing something meaningful by participating in Dressember. It’s powerful to use your skills for craftivism.
  • You’ll be supporting slow fashion and sustainability. This is a crucial aspect of fighting human trafficking, because the fast fashion industry is one of the sources of victimization. Craftivism makes sense if you care about sustainability, the environment, and/or slave labor in the fashion industry.

Namaste and Crochet Brings Craft to Dressember

Namaste and Crochet Dress for Dressember

Dominique Calvillo brings the handmade knit and crochet twist to Dressember by encouraging that component of the challenge on her team. She is asking as many people as possible in the knit and crochet community to join in with Dressember. Join her team here.

To participate, you can wear a dress, a tie, and/or a handmade item. If you can wear something you’ve made yourself every day of the month, then you can spread the word not only about this big issue of human trafficking but also about the power of the craft community. Wear something handmade every day, post about it, spread the word.

Again, in addition to spreading the word about – and raising funds for – fighting human trafficking, you’ll spread awareness about the value of craft, the Slow Yarn movement, and sustainable fashion. Fast fashion contributes waste to the world and exploits workers. Slow, sustainable, handmade fashion is the antidote. When you showcase your handmade garments, you let others know that they, too, can make this change.

Craft as Therapy: Who is Namaste and Crochet? 

I got to know more about Dominique and her brand Namaste and Crochet when I interviewed her for the February 2018 issue of Happily Hooked digital magazine. The magazine has allowed me to have a column, Crochet Heals, for over seven years now, through which I interview people about how crochet helps and heals them. Dominique’s story was so incredibly powerful, and I was thrilled to be able to share it with others. 

Namaste and Crochet Dresses for Dressember Craftivism

And I’d like to share a little bit with you, so here’s an excerpt from that article:

Dominique Calvillo learned to crochet from her grandmother at the age of 6, and she has been crocheting ever since. She took crochet with her as a helpful skill when she was invited to India with International Princess Project, an organization that helps female victims of human trafficking reintegrate into their lives and transition back to traditional work. She had sold her own crochet work to help fund her trip, and once she was there she found that many women knew the craft. Later, in Thailand, she taught crochet to women in similar situations.

After several years of doing this work, Dominique found herself suffering from the trauma of all that she had witnessed. It manifested in severe anxiety, and one of the only places where she found solace was in her own crochet work. She began selling some of her work and now has a Los Angeles based crochet clothing and home décor collection called Namaste and Crochet. She shares on her website:

“As I share Namaste and Crochet, more than people seeing the products, I hope that they see the power of meditation and art therapy. Amidst the daily hustles of life along with constant stimulus and distraction. It’s easy to forget to take a moment to center the mind and spirit. It’s no wonder that depression and anxiety run so rampant in our society.”

Dominique hopes that as the business grows it will be able to benefit the lives of women affected by human trafficking.

How did anxiety impact you when you came back from Cambodia / Thailand?

From an interview on Dressember: “A heaviness and deep depression overtook my heart as I continued my month working and being confronted with the ugliest parts of humanity. During that trip, I witnessed slavery within the coffee industry, the brutal child begging system, and was a part of the rescue of a three-year-old Thai girl who was being sold for sexual acts by her mother. I came home with crippling anxiety about war.”

Anxiety and depression had gripped my mind so tightly after that month in southeast Asia that I was living in an alternate reality. My anxiety was specifically about war and I was convinced that humanity was about to blow itself up. I couldn’t talk about politics (worst timing as the election was in full swing), I couldn’t watch movies with violence, and some days I couldn’t handle daily tasks like driving in traffic or being in crowded public places. I don’t think anyone quite understood the depth at which I was struggling, so I felt quite alone in the process and tried to act like my usual carefree self.

What inspired you to use crochet to help you through this time? How did you do so? In what ways was it helpful?

From Dominique’s website: “Most days I spent 2-8 hours meditating with my crochet, lost in the beauty of the stitches instead of dwelling on fearful thoughts.”

Crochet absolutely helped me out of those terrible thought processes. I can be a little obsessive, so to have a new positive obsession was so helpful. I began to focus on patterns and new shapes for my dresses. It gave me hope. There were days I didn’t want to be alive anymore, but those turned into days when I needed to finish a project. I still turn to crochet for therapy and even if my struggle is not with crippling anxiety, I still learn patience and truths about humanity as I sit and meditate with my art.

Benefits of Knitting and Crochet for Individuals and Communities

handmade craftivism

Both knitting and crochet have many different health benefits. They help decrease the symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma and other mental health conditions. People use crochet to practice mindfulness, stop ruminations of the mind, reduce stress, and meditate or pray. 

Moreover, whether or not they physically craft with other people, knitting and crochet bring people together in community. People share their makes and patterns online, connecting across many aspects of diversity. And thanks to craftivism, people also use knitting and crochet to raise awareness about the causes that they care about.

Participate in Dressember

All of these benefits for both individuals and communities mean that it makes perfect sense that Dominique is asking the knit and crochet community to come together to participate in Dressember. By participating, you reap the benefits of individual crafting, coming together with others as a community, and raising awareness about an important cause. 

The Namaste and Crochet Dressember craftivism team

You can join the Namaste and Crochet Dressember team right here. Joining is free, then you can use the platform to quickly create a Dressember page for yourself right alongside the other knit and crochet team members. Together, you’ll raise money for the cause just by sharing your Dressember posts on your own social media. As a team, Namaste and Crochet hopes to raise $11000 for the cause again this year, but you can set your own personal goal as low or high as you want to contribute to that. Every dollar helps.

Or you can donate to her team or any other Dressember team. If you’re wondering where the money goes, Dressember raises funds to support things like therapy for trauma survivors, awareness training for services providers in the system to learn how to spot human trafficking, and long-term economic empowerment for survivors.

You can also help when you just simply follow along and spread the word through social media likes, shares, comments, and so forth. Craftivism can be at any level of participation that feels right for you. Namaste and Crochet can be found on Facebook and Instagram. I’ll be sharing occasional posts on the Marly Bird Instagram page but you’ll find them more regularly on my own account @createmefree. Look for hashtags #namasteinadress #youcandoanythinginadress and #dressember / #dressember2021.

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