Meet Twinkie Chan 
was the point of today’s episode of the Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird. And if you said ‘pretty please with sprikles on top’ that’s exactly what you got.
Twinkie learned to crochet as a child about ten years old, her best friend’s grandmother taught them the basic stitches, and much of the rest of her skills came from practicing the free patterns on the ball bands, researching books, pictures. She loves to give handmade gifts, so she had lots of practice. She moved to San Francisco, which is not viewed as a cold climate but she felt chilled and wanted scarves she couldn’t find. Once she accumulated enough, she put the extras online in her etsy shop.
Her mom also taught her to knit so she knows the basics but it’s clear design by crochet has her heart. Designing, pattern writing, was never a goal. She wrote notes so she would have something to go back to, writing in her own secret code. Eventually, a friend got her thinking about it so she began learning about how to write patterns for others (not in her secret code), photographing things, to license or protect her work….
Twinkie says she finds inspiration everywhere. She feels that we all are inspired by lots of fun things but not very often are they put into execution. Not everything is a winner and some things need to spend time put aside, until magic happens. Plus social media, things liked or pinned can blossom unexpectedly. Some of her pieces show up on tv or other places and total strangers will let her know her work shows up for others to see in interesting places. Years ago on Uncommon Threads… on the Cartoon Network as Things That are Cool…. Recently, her bacon & eggs scarf was worn my Kimmy on Netflix’s Fuller House (the reboot of Full House).
Creativebug (a Yarn Thing Podcast Sponsor) contacted her for a series they were doing of animals, which she felt was a neat opportunity for her (two are up, a sloth and a unicorn, and two more to come out) even though it wasn’t really her genre. She will also be doing some fruits and veggies. Another thing that Twinkie is known for was the Stress Lemons for the Craft Yarn Council. They found her because her blog had been featured through Michaels. She says initially she wanted to do something cute like Donut Holes, but the idea of ‘turning lemons into lemonade’ seemed to be more appropriate.
Her new book Crocheted Abode A La Mode, features designs that are fun and nostalgic, perhaps at first attractive to children but for adults who like fun things too! Things like a donut footstool, a garland of animal cookies, an armrest that resembles red licorice ropes (especially if you use glittery yarn)…. some pieces are completely comical, like the Tablet cover that resembles a tv dinner or a Taco Pencil case.
Twinkie Chan can be followed at her website: www.TwinkieChan.com, her designer profile in Ravelry, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and a YouTube channel.
If you missed getting to hear this live this morning, you can hear the episode where it aired live as an archived episode: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/04/19/meet-twinkie-chan or in your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio. (PLEASE feel free to like the episode in those aps and post comments!)
Really enjoyed your interview with Twinkie Chan today … she’s so adorable! Hard to believe she’s a DONUT freak as tiny as she is LOL
Loved the interview with Twinkie. Her designs are adorable, especially her giant donut!
I coincidentally was eating a real doughnut as I listened to this show and I love the crocheted Donut Floor Pouf in the book. Twinkie’s designs are one of the reasons I started crocheting, so it was awesome to listen to this podcast.
I am glad I listened to your interview withTwinkie. I must have been under a giant donut because I was unfamiliar with her designs. Now, however, I’m in the know!
Last year, my Girl Scout Troop (aged 6-16) learned to crochet. Most of the girls were less than thrilled: Until I showed them Twinkie Chan’s designs! Crochet went from being an “old lady” craft to being an awesome way to make cool accessories. They especially loved the animal crackers and donuts. Twinkie Chan is helping bring in a new generation to crochet!
I have wanted to make a crocheted poof FOREVER! To make a donut one would be fantastic….
Mmmmmm…go nuts for doughnuts! I love Twinkie Chan’s designs!! Would love a copy of her book!
This was such a fun podcast. I love Twinkie’s Giant Donut Floor Pouf – so cute!
I love Twinkie! I have one of her other books, Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies and love it. Nothing would please me more than getting a copy of her new book, because, honestly, who could not want to make a giant doughnut pouf??!!
Another great podcast. Twinkie is awesome. Crocheting a donut definitely has less calories than eating one!!!
Who doesn’t love donuts? Whether they are made of sugar or yarn! I love Twinkie & here fun designs.
It was so great listening to Twinkie especially when she talked about doughnuts and the other sweet things she has created. I particularly loved seeing her Bacon and Eggs Scarf on the Fuller House sitcom.
Just like fun sprinkles on a donut I was happy to find Twinkie Chan on Marley Bird’s podcast. I enjoyed the interview updating me on Twinkies new adventures!
Love Twinkie’s designs & your podcast! Thank you for another great episode 🙂
I’m off to check out a donut pattern…
My boys would love to have a huge Donut to sit on while reading or watching TV.
My students would love to have the donut hole footstool in the reading center. The little cherry zipper pulls would look so cute on a project bag too.
I ADORE Twinkie and was so excited that you interviewed her! She is an inspiration and a fellow DONUT lover!!
Donuts…love the idea from a woman named Twinkie!
Great podcast….I think there should be a Twinkie donut!
Awesome awesome podcast, a doughnut pouf on my living room floor would look delectable!
Donuts, better than Kronuts, especially by Twinkie!
Why do I feel the need to eat a donut with my coffee??? Loved the interview!
Loved listening to the creativeTwinkie. I also love (but wish I didn’t) to eat a donut as a treat.
This was a fun podcast. Hmm…now I’m hungry! I think I’ll get a donut.
Twinkie is the coolest and the cutest!!…I think I need a huge doughnut cushion in my home for sure=) Thanks for the marvelous show and the best guests=)
Mmmmmm…….donuts!!! I used to work for Michaels as a knit and crochet instructor. When Twinkie came on board and did some designing, I had students come out of the woodwork for classes. Sadly no donuts were allowed in the classroom, unless knit or crocheted. We did have a lot of cake though in the form of beautiful scarves.
Twinkie’s designs always make me hungry… Bacon and eggs, donuts, ice cream… Yummy. I was surprised and delighted by her interview. Thanks Marly for introducing us to this wonderful designer.
This was such a cute interview. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! Twinkie totally made me want to try and make all of her stuff whether it’s bacon and eggs, donuts, ice cream, pizza, etc. thanks for another great interview and expanding my horizons.
Helloooooo!
I’m normally not a fan of the food/animal crochet/knit pieces but Twinkie has converted me! I LOOVE the food themed scarves! “DONOUGHT” anyone?!
Thanks for another fab podcast Marly!
Rose
Ooops! Just noticed I misspelled “DOUGHNUT!”
I can never pass up on a donut! Loved hearing about Twinkie’s unique taste ☺
I’ve always admired Twinkie Chan’s ability to take the idea of something–like a donut–and turn it into cute works of crochet art. I especially got a kick out of seeing her work on Fuller House, I recognized her style right away!
I rushed to order Twinkie Chan’s book for my Sister-in-law, who by the way has a beautiful pup named doughnut, but I forgot to buy one for myself! I just got the book a couple days ago and IT IS AMAZING! Fingers crossed for the giveaway, but if not, I’ll be picking up my own copy in a couple of weeks because it is a “must have” for me 🙂
Thank you for a great and fun podcast! I love donuts!
I love donuts & would love to be able to crochet one ! Loved this fun podcast.
These types of patterns are basically how and why I started to crochet! I would love this book and would love to make some donut footstool for my craft room!
I really loved this interview. Twinkie is very unique and it was interesting hearing her forays into licensing. I think the designs in her new book are so adorable! I would love to make a donut floor pouf!
I heard about the lemon stress balls on Facebook, then heard this post cast afterward. It was fun to hear the backstory and the original idea of doughnut holes.
I love listening to the show to meet people I otherwise might not have! Twinkie is a great example since I’m still just learning to crochet. She’s so interesting and awesome, and my son and husband would just love having a giant donut in the room!
I am going to have to make my very own giant doughnut pouf. Very cute. Your interview with Twinkie Chan was great.