For the Love of Crochet!

Crochet has been a wonderful passion of mine throughout the years. It’s my stress reliever and a way for me to really sit down and think about what’s bothering me. I love that I can create just about anything using yarn and a crochet hook. My fine art background inspired me to try making things out of yarn that I would normally try to draw or paint.

When I was young I would spend a lot of time at my grandma’s house. She was an avid crafter and taught me everything that she knew. She had everything to start just about any project and always included me in them. She taught me how to quilt, crochet, sew, cross stitch, embroider, and more.

I became “hooked” to crocheting. I learned all the beginner techniques from her, from starting the first stitch, to finishing the last. Beginner chains like single and double crochet. How to make the chains look as clean and tight as I possibly could. We would go to fabric and hobby stores and look at the endless rows of yarn. We would chose whatever called out to us. It became a weekly thing for us and something that I really enjoyed doing with her.

The older I got, the more complex my techniques and patterns became. I started making doilies using shell stitches, double crochet, triple crochet, front and back loop only, etc. I even made a 4ft diameter doily that I currently have hanging on the wall in my house! I plan on making more of these for my Etsy shop in the future, so be on the lookout!

I moved on to other projects as the years went by. I made a lot of hats, scarves, and mittens, which here in Minnesota is a must! I found a faux fur yarn and I knew it would be perfect to make these things with. The hats and scarves worked well with just about any type of yarn. I experimented a lot with different styles and patterns but one thing I loved most were infinity scarves.

Blankets became the next obsession for me, and to this day I really enjoy making them! They can be extremely time consuming but also really relaxing. They’re the perfect project to sit on the couch and watch your favorite show or listen to music to. There is no better feeling than when the blanket is completed. After all the time and work that goes into one and then to see it in front of you is such an amazing feeling. I just completed a baby blanket for a good friend of mine. She recently had a baby and I love that I was able to make something to keep her baby warm and comfortable!

I watched my grandma fill her house with many different crocheted creations. She had Afghans for the living room, blankets for the beds, and kitchen accessories like pot holders, dish cloths, etc. I wanted to create some coffee cozies and mug rugs (coffee coaster) for my coffee cups. I love coffee and have it every single day, but I couldn’t hold the cup because it was so hot. These cozy‘s are not only practical, but extremely cute and personal as well!

One day I went to my grandmas and she was crocheting these cute stuffed plush toys which is known as amigurumi. Im an animal lover and knew right then and there that I had to make some myself! I thought of all the animals that I have been around. Throughout my life I’ve had cats, dogs, fish, and other small animals. At one point I even worked with exotic wild animals and horses. When I was young I took riding lessons, as well as leased a couple horses.

My love for horses grew to wanting to work with them more and more. I almost enjoy flatwork and liberty more than actually riding the horses. My family would always tell me that I “became one” with the horse that I was working with. Horses are, and will always be, in my life one way or another.

When I lived in Florida I worked for a couple sisters. One owned a horse farm where she offered lessons and the other had a wild animal sanctuary. I started at the horse farm where I was able to be around one my favorite horse breeds, Andalusians. This became my first experience with American Saddlebreds as well. She had some of the most beautiful and well behaved stallions I have ever met! I was in heaven.

I started my job at the sanctuary a few months later. I was trained by a person that I will never forget. She became a mentor to me and helped me get over my fears of birds, which I didn’t even know that I had until I had to get into their enclosure to clean it. She taught me how to take care of wild monkeys, birds, and small exotic animals. I started to develop a bond for these animals and I will never forget all these animals or my mentor.

I didn’t work directly with the tigers or lions, but I was around them every day where I was able to study them, how they moved, how they interacted with each other, and their facial expressions. I was able to take photos that I could draw pictures from. Eventually, I left Florida to come back to Minnesota. I still miss those animals and my mentor, but I still check in with them from time to time!

After working with these animals I knew that I wanted to crochet them. I found patterns of specific animals to start with. I made a lot of safari based animals and am now branching off to farm animals, pets, and even dinosaurs! These will all be making their way to my Etsy in time as well! My love for animals is reflected across all of my art forms. I believe that animals should be a part of everyone’s lives as they bring love and happiness to any home.

I am also a nature fanatic, we have many indoor plants as well as outdoor plants during the summer months. I became so intrigued that I had to start crocheting them. I found a book on crocheted succulents and started from there. I am now creating my own patterns and filling up not only my home, but others as well with my crocheted creations!

Crochet is perfect for me because it can help me translate things in my mind to something physical that someone can touch and hold. I am able to create just about anything that comes to mind. I have a lot of plans and goals for this art form and I can‘t wait to show you all what I have in store for the future!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post, and I will see you all next Sunday!

Dont forget to check out my Etsy shop ❤️

https://etsy.me/2VS2zYW

-Love

Chelsey Hartgers

ChelseyRaeCreations