ABOUT ME
Aloha! I’m Patrice Walker, and I’ve been crocheting, knitting, and sewing for over 40 years.
During that time, I’ve crocheted just about everything that can be crocheted – hats; scarves; socks; pullovers and cardigans; skirts; shawls; jewelry; bags, totes, and purses; amigurumi, afghans and lapghans; doilies, and rugs (there’s probably more; I just can’t think of anything else right now).
In just about all of those endeavors, I always worked from a pattern. But when I discovered freeform crochet around 2004, I got a glimpse of what it’s like to crochet without one, relying only on my imagination and a few simple guidelines.
Freeform crochet gave me the courage to start crocheting “outside the lines,” with an eye toward creating my own designs and patterns.
I’ve also taught crochet and am a Craft Yarn Council Certified Crochet Instructor.
ABOUT MY WEBSITE
This website has evolved over the 10+ years I’ve maintained it. I began primarily as a hobby blogger, but soon discovered that I could earn an income from the two things I loved most in the world to do: crochet and write.
In its current incarnation, the site is focused on two main areas: crochet design and my crochet photo patterns. I also have a small shop where you can purchase patterns and an information-packed blog.
Crochet Design 101
I love including crocheted garments in my wardrobe but often can’t find the EXACT pattern I’m looking for. So I’ve started learning how to design patterns for items I want to wear, especially ones suited to the year-round warm temperatures of Hawaii. I’ve been approaching this process in three ways –
(1) Working from patterns.
(2) Altering patterns to suit my needs.
(3) Creating my own designs.
This section will give you insights into how I approach crochet design as well as provide resources that you can use to begin your own crochet design journey.
Crochet Photo Patterns
My other passion is creating and working my CROCHET PHOTO PATTERNS, and I’ve devoted a whole section of the site to them.
While design work frees me to be creative, my crochet photo patterns respond to a need for structure and discipline. They teach me patience and how to be in the moment. And they can do the same for you. Best of all, they result in beautiful works of fiber art.
These are “word” patterns, not graphs. They’re easy to follow, and I give you loads of help in my “tips and tricks” section. I have also included several free patterns you can practice with before tackling more complex pieces. And of course, I’m available via email to answer your questions, even after you’ve purchased the pattern.
Shop
This is where I get to make a little money from this website. Hopefully the information and resources I offer here will encourage you to support my ability to continue to do so.
I also participate in several affiliate programs. Check our the Shop link above to find out more about these programs and to review my disclosure policies.
Blog
In addition to posts about my design and crochet photo pattern efforts, I –
- Write about patterns that I’ve worked and the adjustments I’ve made to them to suit my needs (a great way to dip your toes in the design waters without getting too wet)
- Review books and classes, that have helped me in my crochet design efforts, as well as the yarn and supplies I use to bring my crochet creations to life.
- Describe what it’s like to crochet in Hawaii.
- “Talk story” about some of the things I do when I’m not crocheting.
My intention is to post at least one to two times a month. These posts are usually 1,000 words or more and contain a boatload of information to help you apply what you’ve learned to your own crochet projects.
Feel free to contact me at patrice@yarnoverpullthrough.com with your questions, comments, and suggestions.
11 comments On About
Hi Patrice, how can I get instructions for the Galaxy Afghan? Yours is beautiful.
Hey Carla, thanks! The pattern for the Galaxy Afghan is in an out-of-print book published in 1982 called Woman’s Day Crochet Showcase. I got it used on Amazon.There are still some available for as little as $1.21. Here’s a link – http://www.amazon.com/Womans-Day-Crochet-Showcase/dp/0442293941/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358717918&sr=8-1&keywords=woman%27s+day+crochet+showcase. If you can’t find it, email me at yarnoverpullthrough@gmail.com.
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Hi Patrice, You will see that I’ve left several replies this morning. I don’t want to be a bother; I’m just new to this idea and very interested. First of all, I love your title, “Yarn over and pull through”. It reminds me of the British expression about stay calm and carry on. Clever! You may be interested in my goal of making friendships with people of all ages by showing them, one at a time, how to crochet or knit. An odd thing about my project is that I’m only a beginner at these skills myself. But I love to connect with people and I love to teach. At a recent women’s retreat with my church, I brought yarn and hooks and showed at least six ladies how to do very basic crochet. Now, we have a “connection” when we see each other at church and new friendships have begun. I also work with teens in our youth group ministry. After teaching them some basics, on a mission trip to Mexico last summer with them, I was able to spend time with some young ladies there, helping them learn to crochet. Do you think it is rather humorous that I am now an “internationl instructor” and I hardly know how to crochet myself? You see, the main goal is not the learning, but the connecting and sharing of God’s love through friendship.
If you have time or interest, I’d love to hear from you and get to know more about you.
Fondly,
Diane
What a great goal you have of making connections through crochet and knitting, Diane. I teach crochet, too, here in Honolulu, at my home, and hopefully online soon. I haven’t done much charity crocheting or knitting in a while, but I do from time to time. My goal is to bring in some extra income to support my retirement doing what I love, which is … you guessed it … crochet :-). I also spent many years as a business and technical writer and enjoy writing as well. So the blog lets me combine those two loves.
Good Evening! Are you also affiliated with Todd Pascall’s Crochet By Numbers?
Hi Sonja, I used to teach CBN but do my own thing now. Check the tab at the top that says “Crochet Photo Patterns.”
How encouraging! I too had a mother who was a seamstress so that I, at a young age, was sewing my Barbie doll’s clothes. I knew how to knit and crochet before I went to primary school. In spite of the hard and uninspiring craft teacher at primary school, I did crochet and knit on occasion, but spent much more time sewing my own and my young son’s clothes when I was in my 30’s. Then there was a long dry knitting/crocheting spell when I focused more on painting Oriental art. Eventually – because of an unimaginably long and totally uncreative peri-menopause – I was inspired to crochet again. As they all say – tongue in cheek – I am now totally hooked. crochetncrafts brought me here. Thank you and her! I’ve always loved to seek new horizons, and here, in your ‘About’ I may just have the courage to pick one again.
Hi Nicola, I enjoyed reading your story about your fiber arts journey! And it’s always a pleasure to be an inspiration for someone to seek new horizons :-). I’ll have to thank Rhelena at Crochet N’ Crafts for steering you this way. I haven’t been posting much recently because I’m in the process of converting to a new theme, but please let me know if you have any questions and feel free to browse my blog. Happy crocheting (and knitting and sewing)!!
I would love to learn how crochet by numbers. I have crocheted for 35 plus years. I can take a cross stitch pattern and convert it into crochet and also do graphs. Would love to learn how to turn a picture into a crochet pattern. Where should I start? I live in Mississppi. Look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Margie, thanks for your interest in my crochet photo patterns. If you are interested in having me convert a photo into a pattern, I would be happy to. I will email you to give your more details.
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