Next up on my Fellow Designer Spotlight series is Carol from Sweet Potato Crochet Creations!

TBSB:  Hi, Carol!  Tell my readers a little about yourself.

Carol: I’m a wife and a stay at home mom to 2 super energetic kids (4 and 1). When I’m not busy with them, I enjoy crocheting and Netflix binging. I love designing patterns using fun stitch combinations and my kids sometimes help me with my color choices!

TBSB:  At what age did you learn to crochet, and who taught you?

Carol: I was 21 when I first learned how to crochet. I didn’t have any family members around me at the time that knew how to crochet, so I learned the basics from YouTube. After that I taught myself how to read patterns and progressed from there with books, videos, blog posts, and lots and lots of practice!

TBSB:  Don’t you just love that there are so many more resources than there used to be?!?!

TBSB:  When did you start designing?

Carol:  I started designing at the beginning of 2015.

TBSB:  That is impressive, Carol!  Your designs are detailed and lovely, I would have assumed you’d been designing forever! What are your favorite things to design?

Carol: Hats – I love making hats. I really enjoy smaller projects that give me instant gratification, and for me, hats give exactly that!

TBSB:  Where do you find your inspiration?

Carol: I find inspirations from a lot of different things! I love skimming through Pinterest to get ideas. Even shopping helps ignite a spark! I also have several stitch books that I like to peruse through. Sometimes I find myself coming back to a stitch several times and just NEED to make something with it. People I know also inspire ideas and designs for me. I have a few designs that were made for a specific person in mind (Aidan’s Sunhat-my son picked the stitches for this one!, Olivia’s Sunhat, The Amelia Sundresses and my Chelsea Waves Slouch)

Shelley here……  This is Olivia’s Sunhat that Carol was taking about – check out the awesome texture all over this hat!!!  Totes on my list to make for my granddaughters!

TBSB:  With regard to crochet hooks, are you on Team Bates or Team Boye?

Carol: I’m team Clover Amour! However, if I had to choose between the two, I prefer Bates.

TBSB:  Oh NO, not Bates?!?!  Say it ain’t so, Carol!  LOL!  (Before all the members of Team Bates want to strangle me, I am sure they are just swell, but I personally am not a fan, LOL)

TBSB:  What is your favorite yarn weight/brand to work with?

Carol: I love worsted weight yarn because I find it’s availability to be endless as well as its color options! It feels comfortable in my hands, and I can make almost anything using it. I do love using lighter yarns as well.

TBSB:  Is there a stitch or technique you would like to learn?

Carol: I would love to learn the crocodile stitch or broomstick lace!

TBSB:  What is your favorite tool in your yarny toolbox?

Carol: I love my pom pom makers! I used to make them by hand, and they never came out as good or as round as with my pom pom makers without having to trim them a lot.

TBSB:  I know EXACTLY what you mean – pom pom makers are total game changers!!!

TBSB:  What is your most popular pattern?

Carol:  My most popular free pattern is my Happy Little Elephant Applique, and my most popular paid pattern is my Twilight Horizon Hand and Shoulder Bag.

This is Carol’s Twighlight Hand and Shoulder Bag – and again the texture is amazing!  Check it out in her Ravelry shop!

TBSB:  Where can readers go to see your work?

Carol:  My Blog (click here to view her blog).  My patterns are for sale on Ravelry (click here to visit Carol’s Ravelry shop), Twitter (click here to follow her on Twitter),  Pinterest (click here to see Carol’s Pins), and Instagram (click here to see her on IG).  I also have a Facebook page (click here to visit Sweet Potato Crochet Creations on FB).

Shelley here again….  If you are looking for a projects that work up fairly quickly yet features textural design elements and great opportunities for color use, Sweet Potato Crochet Creations can definitely meet your needs!  Go show her some love and tell her I sent you!

XOXO