Welcome to the December edition of Meet the Maker – Designer Spotlight! This month I am excited to introduce you to Nicole, crochet designer behind Nicole Chase.
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
I’m Nicole Chase, and I am a crochet designer and blogger located in Pennsylvania, USA. I am married with 2 kids, and I work full time as a data analyst. I find that my time for crocheting and blogging is often only available in short increments, but I squeeze in a few stitches every chance I get!
How long have you been crocheting?
Consistently for about 10 years. I learned as a child, but it didn’t stick until I picked it up again after college.
What types of patterns do you design? Do you focus on any certain types?
My favorite, and what I’m most known for, is amigurumi. While amigurumi is my main focus, I do enjoy designing baby items and winter accessories, and have started to try my hand at garment designs as well.
Is there anything in particular that inspires your designs?
Typically my kids and their interests! Right now my 3 year old son just loves dinosaurs, and you can tell through my latest creations that his obsession has influenced me quite a bit!
What is the main reason that you crochet?
I crochet simply because I enjoy it; it still amazes me that we can turn yarn into such beautiful and complex things.
How did you decide on your maker name?
I’ve been designing and blogging informally since about 2016, and I’ve changed my blog name a few times since then. In late 2019 I decided to blog and design simply under my own name. The main reason for the change was that I wouldn’t need to ever change it again – it’s my name after all, and that isn’t going anywhere. I previously had often felt restricted, as if I were to include a post on another craft topic, I was breaking some rule. Now using my own name, I can blog about my passion for crochet and design, but if I make a fun craft, or I design an SVG for makers, or I want to share small business tips, it all still fits – because it’s me!
Do you have a favorite pattern you designed and why?
I do! I have to say that Byron Bear is my favorite design to date. It isn’t my most popular, it doesn’t require the most skill or have the most detail, but I just love it. Byron is just a simple, classic teddy bear with a chubby belly, and I just think he is so perfect!
You can find the pattern for Byron Bear on the following platforms: Blog Ravelry Etsy
What do you love most about being a crochet designer/maker?
It brings me so much joy and satisfaction to see other makers bring my designs to life with their own hands, through their own visions. It’s inspiring. Some people may be thrilled to sell a PDF pattern, and while I of course appreciate that so much, it really doesn’t matter to me if you use the free version on my blog or you pay a few bucks for the PDF. The thing that makes me jump up and do a happy dance is seeing your projects created with my designs.
I also really love being a part of the community of fellow designers and makers. I have formed some really great friendships, that all started with the commonality of crochet.
What do you love least about being a crochet designer/maker?
All of the unseen but necessary things! Many people think that designing is as simple as making something and publishing the pattern. But there are SO many steps in between to get to the point of hitting “post”, and I’m not a fan of most of it. I also find writing very difficult. Not the pattern writing itself, but the little things like the intro to the pattern, or engaging things to say on social media. I think I spend the most time on those kinds of things.
Is there any helpful advice you could give someone just learning to crochet?
Just keep practicing! Nobody starts something new knowing how to do it all. I still learn new things about crochet every day! But the more you practice, the better you’ll become. You’ll get faster, you’ll learn all of the abbreviations, you’ll understand the lingo. It will all click, you just need to keep working at it!
When you are not crocheting, what are you most likely doing?
Spending time with my family! We like taking walks together and having family movie nights. Other than that, I enjoy photography, being outside, and drawing.
What is your favorite type/weight of yarn to work with and why?
Acrylic worsted weight. My favorite specifically is WeCrochet’s Brava yarn. It is both durable and soft. You can use acrylic for most anything, and don’t need to worry about taking special care when washing it; because as a working mom of 2, who has time for that!? 🙂
Do you have a favorite place to crochet?
I usually crochet at my desk so I can take notes or photos as I work.
Do you have any upcoming designs or new plans in the future as a maker?
I plan to continue on my dinosaur kick with a few more amigurumi patterns. After that, we’ll see what my kiddos draw me into next! To view Nicole’s dinosaur trio, click on their names below.
If you could create with any other medium (other than yarn), what would it be?
I’d love to try needle felting. I think I’m drawn to it in the same way that I’m drawn to amigurumi. My husband bought me a kit once, but I still haven’t given it a shot yet. Hopefully sometime soon!
Are you interested in more free patterns? Check out some of my free patterns below or click HERE to view them all!
Love reading this! Nicole is such a great inspiration for me. X
That is great to hear! She has so many beautiful designs!