Friday Focus: Katie

Each Friday here on Illumination I will be featuring a fabulous crocheter whose work I enjoy. For my very first Friday Focus I wanted to shine a light on a close friend of mine, miss Katie! Katie and I have been friends for almost eight years. We were roommates in college and she even officiated my wedding! Most importantly, Katie is the one who taught me to crochet during my senior year of college. I owe her many thanks for many hours of entertainment and satisfaction. Here is what she had to share with you.

Who taught you to crochet? How long have you been doing it? 
My mom taught me how to crochet when I was in 8th grade. So it's been about 13 years since I've learned, there were a couple of years when I stopped doing it for a while. Then I really started again in college, and that's when I really got into it and started experimenting with different patterns and stitches other than a chevron blanket. Although, I still made a couple of those in that time :)

Why do you crochet?
Generally, I crochet for fun. I'll see something I like online and make it. I have a huge queue on Ravelry, there are just so many things I want to try. I also make little animals as gifts for people. I recently made a couple of cats for some coworkers, and an elephant for my fiance's co-worker who recently had a baby.

Favorites
I love Ravelry. It has helped me keep track of what I've made, and what I want to make. 

What are you working on right now? What is your next project?
I have a bunch of stash yarn that I need to use up, so I am trying to do a blanket. The problem is I keep finding new stitches and patterns that I want to try so I keep starting different blankets. I think I have 3 going right now.

A few finished objects...
These are some snowmen that I made for a group of co-workers. I really like how they turned out especially how all of their faces are different. It's a really simple pattern. I recommend the pattern for anyone needing to make a bunch of little gifts, they work up pretty quickly.  

 

This is a cat throw I made for fun. This was the first blanket/throw that wasn't my usual chevron pattern. It's a bunch of granny squares all stitched together. It was a fun project, and I guess I'm technically not finished yet. I still have to weave in the ends, but I hate doing that! 

This is Tintin, I made this for my fiance a couple of years ago because he loves Tintin! This was my first project that I didn't use a pattern for, so it was quite frustrating.

 

Isn't Tintin adorable? I saw him in person and was really impressed. Watching Katie crochet and seeing all of the cool stuff that she made inspired me to begin crocheting myself. Thank you, friend! I am privileged to have you as Illumination's first Friday Focus! If you would like to see more of Katie's work, you can visit her Ravelry page. 

If you or someone you know would like to be featured on a Friday Focus, let me know in the comments. Happy stitching!