8 hours ago3 min read

Meet the Designer: ViVaCrochet

Over the past year I have had the privilege of supporting designers from India. The internet makes this a very small world doesn't it? Vimala has been in my designer group for a while and has participated in blog hops and the $2 events I host. It's been a joy to work with her!

Please show her some support by having a look at her patterns (click on the photos below to be taken to Ravlery and her patterns). While you are there all a few to your library!

What is your name, business name & where do you live?

My name is Vimala Vignesh & my business is ViVaCrochet. I live in Bangalore(City) , Karnataka(State) , India(Country).

When/How did you learn to crochet?

Learned as part of my school education and then relearned in 1995 from a teach yourself crochet/ knit booklet.

What made you decide to start designing patterns?

After crocheting for about 20 years, my daughter asked me why I never thought of designing. I did try my hand at designing way back in 1998 but I was not consistent. So when she asked me this question , it prompted me to give it a try again and this time it clicked!

How would you say that your crochet designing has changed from when you started?

I have started to write with more clarity, keeping in mind that a beginner might attempt my pattern.

What’s your go-to yarn and crochet hook? Any particular reason why you prefer them?

Worsted weight yarn and 5 mm for beanies , scarves and granny squares and fingering weight yarn and 4mm hook for shawls. I have also used bulky and 6 mm yarn for beanies when I am gifting my sample beanie to someone who lives in colder climes. The reason for choosing these yarns is mainly because we don't experience a harsh winter here in South India.

What are some of your favorite crochet techniques/stitches/ patterns?

I love to use texture in my patterns. Invariably I will use stitches that go one round or 2 rounds below:) I use Front Post stitches, Puff St, Cluster St, Popcorn liberally. I also love to mix tunisian crochet with regular crochet. Oh I am a hopeless romantic and will try to sneak in a heart motif:)

Are you a one-project-at-a-time person, or do you have a lot of WIPs on the go?

Definitely a lot of Wips!!!!

What’s the process like when you design a crochet pattern? What are some words you would use to describe your patterns?

Usually for beanies and scarves , I sit down with the yarn and hook and let my hands do the talking. For granny squares, I tend to use a grid notebook and plot out the stitch / color placement.

Texture, Quick(not all), Reversible(not all) are what I would like to associate with my patterns.

Tell us about your favorite make or biggest crochet triumph?

The biggest triumph as far as crochet goes is in having participated in the Guinness World record for largest blanket. This was achieved with several folks participating from all over India. I contributed 8 40" by 40" blankets done in a span of 3 months while working as a teacher.