Designer Spotlight: Crochet
Four Tallahassee-based crochet designers were asked a bit about their creative process, inspiration, and favorite pieces so far.
Here’s what they had to say…
Nicole Guzman
“I learned how to crochet in 9th grade but between school and other activities I never gave myself enough time to develop my skills. Everything crocheted for Nian Boutique is by my amazing mom Gloria. She learned to crochet when she was younger and for the past four years she has developed her skills to create the amazing pieces we release on our website to date!
As a duo we’re consistently bouncing ideas off of each other. We pull inspiration from anything we see in the world. It always starts as a concept and we build upon that until we come up with our collection! It’s a lot of research and planning and fittings but in the end we have always worked to release collections we’re proud of! Collections we know our customers will love!
We draw inspiration from several places throughout our design process. From traveling to the nature around us and even just the way we’re feeling at that time. I think it’s so important to bring culture into nian as well and while we don’t have a lot representing Colombia we’re working to improve that!…
…I stay very active on social media so I can understand the trends and learn from them but I think our inspiration comes from everything! From old vintage magazines and music and the small things in life that we love!
Our creative space is in South Florida! We were finally able to move into our own office and it’s so nice to sit in there and just be able to fully focus on nian and its designs. I think the energy we’ve created in that creative space is what makes us feel so comfortable to naturally create in there. Anyone that has ever been in there is to support and help nian so we’re all reaching towards the same goal! Surrounding ourselves with the people that support and care makes nian the way it is!
I think overall my favorite piece has to be the Seraphina Crochet Top. It’s the one piece I’m most proud of, one of our bestsellers and just the piece that always receives compliments! It’s the perfect piece for a date, going out with your best friends and even going on vacation! It’s such a cute piece and we didn’t have to sacrifice comfort for it which is so important!
Our work is present on our website nianboutique.com and I’m also pretty active on Instagram (nianboutiqueusa) or TikTok (nianboutique). We also love to work alongside our customers to custom make them the perfect piece! Whether it’s for a rave, concert or for vacation we take all custom orders through our email nian@nianboutique.com”
Eve Larkin
“I learned how to crochet technically two years ago because I really wanted a crochet tote bag. Then I realized I wasn’t good at it after doing it for 15 minutes and gave up until I picked it up again last year when the cat beanie hats were popular.
I go through phases where I don’t crochet, and then I’ll make 10 items in a month. However, especially around the holidays I have a lot more free time and can make things for other people.
A lot of my inspiration comes from designers on Pinterest and YouTube. I don’t have the skill just yet to create my own patterns, so those resources have been so, so important. Other than that, I have a nicely curated Pinterest board that I refer back to when I’m ready to start a new project.right now, some things I love in crochet are earth tones, Caron cloud cakes yarn, and crochet tapestry art.
I love going to a friends house or a coffee shop, or even just sit in bed to crochet, but truly my creative space is wherever I can multitask. talking to a friend or watching a show is the only way to keep me entertained but still focused!
My blanket is definitely my proudest work! I have a pair of gloves based on the movie coraline that I always wear that are my second favorite.
Email me at ealark02@gmail.com! I pick up commissions every once in a while, but if you have a pattern you like, send it my way and we can work something out!”
Calla Mitchetti
“I learned to crochet in 7th grade! I taught myself by YouTube and my grandma helped a bit. As for my creative process, that’s a tough one! Ideas just kind of pop into my head and I IMMEDIATELY have to sketch it out. Then I re sketch it later and add or alter the original design and pattern it! Then I start executing my design!! Most of my magic happens in my room or my backyard. I take a lot of care to make sure that my creative space is relaxing and reflects who I am a person as well! I like lighting candles or burning incense while I work!
My culture is a big inspiration, I’m very inspired by polish folk clothing, I like the colors and the shapes and that it reflects nature! I am also captivated by fantasy realms and stories, I am a bit obsessed with wizards! So I try to include magic into my work!! I made this really sweet skirt and matching top fairy set that I really like, but I honestly love everything I make!!”
To see more of Calla’s work or request commission pieces, check out her IG @callaby_crochet and Depop @callamemarie
Anna Regan
“I learned to crochet last December! My roommate at the time was really into it, and I had been intrigued by it for a while, so she gave me the push I needed to finally start learning how! It was a combination of her patiently teaching me and YouTube tutorials.
My creative process… Honestly, most of the time it starts with me needing something! I like to make things that you can’t buy; for example, I made a little sack for my AirPods with a loop that used to pin them onto my wall so I don’t lose them in my bed while I sleep! I also love asking my friends about clothes/decor they wish they had because I like to try to replicate it for them!
Social media is a huge part of my projects. I personally love TikTok and Pinterest for finding inspiration as there are so many talented people with incredible ideas that I love to build off of! Without social media, I probably would’ve given up trying to learn how to crochet in the first place. I think it’s an excellent place for crocheters of all skill levels.
As for my creative space… I live in my sorority house, so there’s not a ton of space in my room to create besides my bed. Sometimes I like to work from there, but most of the time I prefer being outside. One of my favorite self care activities is to hammock and crochet because it’s just so grounding and peaceful…
I would say my favorite piece i’ve made has to be my formal dress. It took me three months of work and about 150 hours of crocheting. The repetitive process drove me crazy and I almost quit probably five times, but the pride of being able to say I made it entirely myself made it worth it.
I’ve been procrastinating on starting my feed, but I plan to get everything set as soon as possible on @annadoescrochett ! In the meantime, you can see my formal dress (and some other various work) on @annaregan__ !”
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Strike Out,
Digital Director: Megan Mohrmann
Assisted by: Sophia Poole
Digital Staffers: Carly Woollard, Brooke Miller, Samantha Ortega
Photographer: Jackie Ouellette
Editing: Megan Mohrmann
Models: Sydney Gooden, Stussy Riegel, Berkeley Holmes, Alison Istre
Designers: Nicole Guzman, Eve Larkin, Calla Mitchetti, Ana Regan
Tallahassee