Crocheting makes you happy: Collaboration with Tina from @tinashaekelwelt

On my account, you can find many lovely posts of my finished works. There is a bit of everything: crocheted pieces made from patterns by other designers, projects where I was allowed to test patterns myself, and of course posts about my own patterns. I simply love sharing my work with my followers and maybe even inspiring one or two people along the way.

My name is Martina/Tina, I am 49 years old and live with my family in a small village near Rotenburg an der Wümme. Always by my side are my husband and our dog Sam. In 2015, my mom and her little dog also moved in with us. I am a typical village child and love country life with everything that comes with it. I only started crocheting relatively late and never thought it would still bring me so much joy today and do me so much good. When I am not crocheting, I like to go geocaching with my husband and Sam or read a good book. I also enjoy spending time in the garden.

To be honest, I no longer know exactly when I started crocheting. It must have been sometime between 2012 and 2013. But I do remember that it all began with a magazine. The magazine came with matching yarn, a crochet hook, and a few patterns for beginners. At first, I did not crochet as much as I do today, and it was mostly shawls, scarves, and hats. Little by little, I dared to try other projects too, until at some point amigurumi captured my heart.

It usually starts with a small idea in my head. I then try to make a drawing of it, even though drawing is not exactly my strong suit. I crochet the first draft with yarn leftovers and write everything down step by step. If I like the result, I crochet the whole thing again with suitable yarn. That is when the photos for the pattern are created, and sometimes I still change one detail or another. When everything fits, it is time to type and test. Often I crochet my typed pattern again myself. I actually find inspiration everywhere. Sometimes it is ideas from family and friends who wish for a little animal or something similar. Sometimes inspiration comes directly while crocheting. I also like to look around on Pinterest and let myself be inspired by drawings and pictures.

That is a good question. Over the years, quite a few have been created. I cannot say exactly how many. But I think it must be around 300. Two years ago, I received a really wonderful commission and was allowed to crochet teddy bears and little dolls for the residents of a nursing home. It was incredibly fun and the work was really worth it, because the residents were so happy about them.

I do not really have one fixed style. I always like trying something new. What matters to me, though, is a friendly/cute look and that they are a little cuddly.

There is hardly a day when I do not pick up the crochet hook. I do not crochet nonstop, but whenever it fits, I get the hook moving. On some days, a few hours definitely add up.

I get along better with a crochet hook, but learning to knit is right at the top of my to-do list. The matching knitting needles are even already waiting.

Yarn is like chocolate: one ball is never enough...

Before you start a new pattern, read it through carefully once. It often contains many valuable tips and tricks. If it does not work the first time, do not give up. Try things out, keep practicing, and do not lose courage.

I think it was a simple shawl, and my first amigurumi was a little bunny.

For this project, I tried Cotton Quick and find it very beautiful. It has a delicate shine and is very easy to crochet with. I also really like the color selection.

You can find my patterns on Etsy and also on Crazypatterns.

I would like to say thank you once again. Thank you to the wonderful Gründl team. You made it possible for me to design this beautiful pattern for you. I am so happy and still feel truly honored that you offered me this wonderful collaboration. A very big thank-you also goes to the lovely people in the test group, who were always there for me with advice and support and helped me so much. Each and every one of you helped me enormously. And to everyone out there who may now be thinking about writing their own pattern: dare to do it and try it out. Yes, it is a lot of work, but it is also incredibly exciting and so much fun. And honestly, it is an indescribably wonderful feeling when you see the finished pieces that were made from your pattern.

At this point, we would like to thank you once again from the bottom of our hearts, dear Tina.

Thank you so much for your dedication! Thank you for your lovingly designed crochet pattern and your personal story about crocheting. We can already promise one thing: our colorful family of crochet animals is very much looking forward to your cute koala pair.

Be sure to hop over to her Instagram profile and let yourself be inspired by her lovingly crocheted DIY projects. It is worth it!