Welcome to the March edition of Meet the Maker – Designer Spotlight! This month I am excited to introduce Angie, crochet designer behind Sassy A’s Specialty Shoppe (SASS). I got to know Angie while we were both testing another designers pattern, and having fun deciding on colors. Angie has a special Easter offer for Pine Tree Crochet readers, so make sure to read until the very end of her spotlight!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hi y’all, I’m Angie. I live near Dallas, Texas with my husband of 31 years, our 23 year old son, Chase, our 12 year old bulldog Kingston, our granddog Luna May and our newest edition Ms. Sassybelle, a Yorkie who’s just a few months old. We also have a wonderful 29 year old daughter, Alyssa, an awesome son in law and 2 year old grandson, JJ. I just turned 50 this year! I love spending time with my family, love the hot Texas summers, DIY projects & crocheting (of course). Crochet is my hobby, my therapy and my business.
How long have you been crocheting?
I started crocheting over 40 years ago when my aunt taught me. I put it down through my teens, but picked it back up again when I was pregnant with my first baby in 1990. I continued to make fun things for my kids through the years and friends would request items, especially baby gifts but I didn’t officially start my business SASSy A’s Specialty Shoppe or SASS for short, until the end of 2018.
Whatever pattern I’m designing though I try to make it super easy and super quick!
What types of patterns do you design? Do you focus on any certain types?
My pattern designs vary really. I love practical home decor designs like my SASSy Square coasters, but designing blankets are tons of fun too. Crochet jewelry really interests me. I have a couple of earring patterns that I have released already, the SASSy Sweetheart Earring Pattern, but I feel like a lot of people are intimidated when working with wire or thread so I haven’t focused on releasing any more jewelry patterns just yet. Whatever pattern I’m designing though I try to make it super easy and super quick!!
Crocheting always calms my anxiety and I love that I can zone out, all while creating something beautiful.
What is the main reason that you crochet?
My reasons change regularly. It is my job/business so I often have orders to fill but it is also a huge therapy outlet for me too. Crocheting always calms my anxiety and I love that I can zone out, all while creating something beautiful.
How did you decide on your maker name?
Ha! I’m a SASSy Texan apparently. My best friend from middle school and her husband are the ones that really encouraged me to start a crochet business. I had no idea what name I would go with so she and I were talking over names and her husband pipes in and says “Whatever you go with it better have sassy somewhere in it!!” Soooo there ya go!!
Do you have a favorite pattern you designed and why?
Definitely my SASSy Hearts Baby blanket pattern. SASS really took off when I designed this blanket. I consistently receive orders for these, but I will often remove the heart block across the middle and instead add the baby’s name. It is a super easy pattern and beginner friendly, but it’s also extremely versatile and easily customizable.
I love that creativity is endless and there are really no rules when designing crochet patterns.
What do you love most about being a crochet designer/maker?
Oh, there are so many things that I love about being a crochet designer/maker. I love the connections and relationships that I have developed over this past year. I love that creativity is endless and there are really no rules when designing crochet patterns. I especially love testing for other designers as I often learn a new stitch or two as well as gain a new friendship.
What do you love least about being a crochet designer/maker?
Actually writing the pattern!! I’m a perfectionist, so I go over and over the finished pattern and obsess about there being mistakes. It drives me nuts!
Is there any helpful advice you could give someone just learning to crochet?
Be patient with yourself! When I learned at about 7 or 8 years old, I only had one skein of yarn to work with so I would make a chain, turn and do several rows of single crochet or double crochet then frog it and start all over again. I did this for hours and I believe this repeated process is how I learned where my tension needed to be. I also became proficient at using the basic stitches, which is what leads you to being able to make more advanced patterns.
When you are not crocheting, what are you most likely doing?
Well, it’s not often that I’m not crocheting! More than likely though you will find me hanging out with my family.
What is your favorite type/weight of yarn to work with and why?
My favorite yarn is lace weight. I love how delicate the creations are when using this yarn and it’s super challenging at times. But, I most often use worsted weight since a majority of my orders require it. I do like the look of bulky yarn, but I don’t often use it since it does tend to hurt my hands.
Do you have a favorite place to crochet?
I love my craft room! My husband helped me to turn our loft into my own little work space. Using our DIY skills we made a huge table that is about 5’ x 8’. I acquired a large beautiful cabinet from a friend that stores a ton of yarn and I especially love the two windows that allow lots of light to filter in.
Do you have any upcoming designs or new plans in the future as a maker?
My plans are basically endless. I’m always working on something and my sketch/note book is full of so many patterns that need to be written up and tested. I haven’t decided on which pattern to release next, but I have several things in the works!
And now for something special! To celebrate Easter, Angie has offered her Jumbo Easter Egg Pattern at 50% off.
To grab this fabulous deal, put the Jumbo Easter Egg pattern in your cart and use the code “DESIGNERSPOTLIGHT” at checkout in Angie’s SASS Etsy store from March 18 – March 21 by clicking HERE.
For more about Angie and all her other SASS patterns and makes, check out her Website!
You can find SASSY A’s SPECIALTY SHOPPE on social media: Etsy , Facebook , and Instagram!
I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit more about Angie, from SASS in this month’s edition of Meet the Maker – Designer Spotlight!
I hope you come back next month to meet another awesome maker!
Are you interested in free patterns? Check out some of my free patterns below or click HERE to view them all!
