Tag Archives: crochet design

Become a Crochet Designer: Creating a Design Proposal

Do you aspire to become a crochet designer? Last week we shared a Call for Crochet Design Submissions for our Winter 2021 collections. This week, we are sharing some tips and tricks for submitting your design proposals! Read on for resources on how to create a winning design proposal.

A stack of crocheted blankets folded on a stylish green vinyl chair
Some of the designs from our Fall 2020 Comforts of Home collection.

If becoming a crochet designer (or designing for WeCrochet) is on your bucket list, we would LOVE to help make that happen! But how do you do it?

The WeCrochet Design Process:

Well, it’s a bit of a process, but before you design for us, you have to submit a design proposal! The beginning part of the process looks a little like this:

  1. See the WeCrochet call for design submissions.
  2. Submit a design proposal (NOT the full pattern)
  3. Wait to see if your design is accepted.
  4. If your design is accepted, then sign a contract.
  5. Receive yarn support from WeCrochet and write your pattern by the deadline.
  6. WeCrochet hires a tester to make your pattern. You answer questions and make pattern tweaks as needed.

Tons of Tips for Creating a Design Proposal:

Chrisandra Skipper of And She Laughs is one of the designers we frequently work with, and she has been posting all kinds of helpful information for designers who want to work with us. Here’s her IGTV segment about her process of coming up with design proposals:

Chrisandra also wrote a blog post about her design proposal process with tons of tips for success, so be sure to go check that out. Chrisandra’s design proposals are some of the best-looking proposals we receive, so feel free to follow her lead when constructing your own proposals! Her tips are so good!

One of Chrisandra's proposals next to the final version of her design, The Color Pop Stocking
One of Chrisandra’s proposals next to the final version of her design, The Color Pop Stocking

In her blog post, she also shares actual design proposals she’s submitted (and we’ve selected) and how the final product turned out! Click the photo above to see more examples in her post.

We got so excited about Chrisandra’s tips and tricks (and willingness to help fellow crocheters become designers), that we did a little interview with her sharing some insider information about what we’re looking for in design proposals. So go check that one out too!

Ruth Nguyen’s Tips for Designers:

Ruth Nguyen, another designer we love working with, and who has worked with multiple brands in both crochet and knitting, has also written a series on writing design proposals on her blog Red Earth Design Studio, so please check these out too:

Other Crochet Design Resources:

Still want more? Here are some other resources to help you on your journey of becoming a crochet designer:

The fireside afghan, a crochet pattern from crochet.com - a top-down view of a red and black buffalo check afghan with hands holding a cup of coffee

Crochet Designers (and aspiring designers): The deadline for Winter 2021 submissions is January 27, 2021, so go check out the call and please submit your design proposals!

Have questions? Feel free to drop them in the comments!

How to become a crochet designer: Tips, tricks, and resources. A pink background with a film strip, the main image showing a woman smiling and holding up two crocheted amigurumi cat-mermaid toys

Crochet Designer Spotlight: Meet Michelle Ferguson of TwoBrothersBlankets
A headshot of Michelle Ferguson, a woman with long blonde hair, who is wearing a crocheted cowl around her neck.

Meet Michelle Ferguson, the crochet designer behind Two Brothers Blankets, whose design specialty is garments and accessories for the handmade wardrobe. She loves reading, the beach, and watching college football, and her proudest crochet accomplishment was when she was on the cover of Happily Hooked Magazine!

We’re so excited to talk to you today, Michelle! Can’t wait to get to know you better. You caught our attention with all your great wearable patterns for crochet, and we are super excited that some of your crochet patterns are now available for sale on our site.

One of your patterns caught our eye: The Aspen Tunic. Can you tell us about the inspiration/design process for that pattern?

I love a cute outfit of leggings, a tunic, and boots. So I wanted to create a crochet tunic that I could wear with my leggings and boots. I was also really loving crochet cables and wanted cables to be the feature of this design.

Why did you choose the yarn you chose for this design?

Brava Sport is a really nice sport weight yarn. It’s lightweight so you’re not too warm when wearing it. It is also 100% premium acrylic so it’s very soft and sturdy. Brava Sport is just a really great sport weight yarn for garments.

When did you fall in love with crochet?

I fell in love with crochet about a year after I first learned how to crochet. I was a stay-at-home mama of two toddlers, and I had just picked crochet back up and began to really learn how to create things other than just swatches. It was something just for me. It gave me a sense of accomplishment and pride, even when I was home all day with the kiddos.

What was your first crochet project (and do you have a photo of it)?

Michelle's first crochet project: A navy blue scarf (with fringe) draped over a chair
Michelle’s First Crochet Project

I believe my first finished project was a simple scarf in all double crochet and I even added fringe to it! (photo attached)

Wow, that’s pretty great for your first project! What was your first design and how do you feel about it now?

My first design was my Amelia Earwarmer. It is probably the most simple project ever, but I was putting feelers out to see if designing was something I really wanted to do. It is free on my blog now and still does really well, so I’m very happy with it.

Michelle models the Amelia Earwarmer, a bulky gray crocheted headband with two large buttons on the left side.
Michelle’s First Design: The Amelia Earwarmer

How did you get started sharing your crochet designs?

I started out just uploading them to Ravelry and sharing them on Facebook. First, to my own family and friends. Then I created a Facebook business page and used that to reach more people.

What’s your favorite of your crochet designs?

That’s a hard question! I think my all time favorite would have to be my Savannah Sweater. It is chic and classy but so simple! It has such great texture and is quite versatile too!

What do you hope to design in the future, or where do you want to go with your designs?

I absolutely love designing garments and accessories for the handmade wardrobe and will continue to do so. I do mostly tops and sweaters, so it would be fun to venture out a bit and try some other wardrobe items like skirts and/or jewelry!

What’s been the biggest surprise that came out of starting your crochet site?

I think just that feeling I get when I see that people like my designs and can make something that came from me. I still get giddy when people share their projects made from my designs!

Current favorite WeCrochet yarn?

I still love Brava, both sport and worsted and use it often! But there are still so many yarns that I am looking forward to trying!

What is your favorite thing to crochet?

Currently spring/summer tops and blankets!

Michelle models the Magnolia Tee, a sleeveless maroon crocheted top with bands of solid crochet and bands of filigree lacy crochet
One of Michelle’s Spring/Summer designs: Magnolia Tee

Biggest yarn/crochet-related pet peeve?

When I get close to the end of the skein and somehow manage to get it tangled around itself as I’m crocheting.

What do you wish you had known when you first started crocheting?

When I first started I didn’t realize there was a right side to the stitches, so for a while I was making all my hats inside out! I wish I had figured that out sooner…like before I was giving them away to friends and family! LOL

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us, Michelle! How can our readers find you online?

They can find me at www.twobrothersblankets.com or on Instagram (@twobrothersblankets) and Facebook (facebook.com/twobrothersblankets).

Find all of Michelle’s WeCrochet designs here.

Find all her Ravelry patterns here.


WeCrochet Podcast Episode 8: Blooming Spring

It’s springtime and on this week’s episode of the WeCrochet Podcast, the team talks about spring projects. Even though this spring is like no other that anyone has ever experienced, we are continuing to crochet, connect with others, and find joy.

First Sara has a special message about what is happening in our company. Next Producer Sarah and Heather check in with each other while working from home. Closet recording sessions are a new frontier for our team and we promise to make them better.

Sara in the closet recording
Heather in the closet recording

Sara and Heather discuss all the ways to use crocheted flowers. Crocheting lends its self to creating beautiful boutiques but sometimes you need some inspiration on how to use all those flowers.

Some listeners call in, leave a voicemail and say hi. Thank you! Please keep calling and leaving us voicemails 360-334-4847. We truly love hearing from you.

Regan and Heather answer a question about submitting design proposals. Plus Heather’s crochet fail from last week has become a success.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9nYrMOBicU/

Lastly, Heather interviews Camden on her favorite spring designs for the Blooming Spring Collection. We also get to learn more about what Camden does at WeCrochet and her crochet journey.

Producer Sarah in the closet recording

Mentioned in this Episode:

Important Message
Shine Worsted
Comfy Color Mist
WeCrochet Magazine Issue 2
Curio
Flower Girl Hair Clips
Palette Yarn
Primrose Hat
Flower Garden Scarf
Flower Wreath
Sunflower Tote
Floral Tapestry Top
Flower Crown
Flower Bouquet
Ann Wanamaker’s designs with crochet skulls
Chrysalis Cardigan
African Violet Afghan
Bobble Diamond Throw
Swish Rainforest Heather

Timestamps:

0:00 Important message from Sara, the Brand Director
1:27 Heather and Producer Sarah check in from their closets
8:26 Sara and Heather talk all things crocheted flowers
24:42 #WarmUpTogether
25:44 Listener Voicemails
27:57 Re-Re and Hey Hey talk about submitting designs
36:16 Meet the team: Camden
43:45 Credits