Welcome to the Secret Yarnery: My Crochet Life and Works In Progress

Hey there! I’m Christa, and this is the very first episode of my crochet blog. I’ve never done anything like this before, but I thought it’d be a fun way to connect with other crochet lovers and share a little behind-the-scenes look at my life – both the yarny and personal parts. Whether you’re a crochet newbie or a seasoned pro, welcome! Don’t forget to like and subscribe if you enjoy what I’m sharing. Let’s dive in!

A Little About Me

For those who don’t know me, here’s a quick intro: I run The Secret Yarnery, where I not only teach crochet classes but also sell delicious yarn (and trust me, it’s totally delicious). I’m originally from Canada, born in Saskatchewan, and grew up in Vancouver. Life took an unexpected turn, and now I’ve been living in Kenya for the last 16 years. Moving to Kenya was never part of the plan, but I love it here!

I’m married and have four kids – all boys. They’re 11, 8, almost 5, and almost 4. Yes, four! Their birthdays are coming up soon, so things are busy around here. It keeps me on my toes, but crochet has always been my peaceful escape, even with the craziness that comes with running a family.

My Current Crocheting Madness (A.K.A WIPs)

So, confession time: I’ve got way too many WIPs (that’s “Works In Progress” for anyone new). I lost track, but there are at least ten. I used to aim for just three WIPs at a time…but here we are!

Why so many? Well, my crochet classes keep me juggling different projects for my students. I’ve got classes twice a week, and sometimes, my Monday group wants to make something different from my Saturday group. So, I end up with a lot of started but not-quite-finished projects. Which, if I’m being honest, is also a great way to try new techniques even if I don’t always finish every single piece.

Storing My WIPs: From Baskets to Ziplock Bags!

I used to store all my WIPs in these beautiful baskets I found at our local grocery store. They worked great…until they didn’t. I ended up with six baskets jam-packed and had to switch to Ziplock bags for things I know I won’t finish anytime soon. At least everything fits now, and it lives neatly in my craft space!

Some of My Favorite Recent Projects

If you’ve been following along with me on my crochet adventure, you might recognize some of these projects. Here are a few highlights:

The “Hugs Shrug”

This was one of the first major projects I finished about a year ago, and it’s still a favorite. It’s cozy, stylish, and all-around fabulous. Although I don’t know exactly when, I’ll definitely be doing a complete tutorial on this piece (so stay tuned). If you’re interested, feel free to drop a comment – I’d love to know your thoughts!

Mandala Stool Covers

In Kenya, it’s common to find these chapatti stools for rolling dough at our grocery stores. I don’t have an IKEA here, but this is my version of their super trendy stools. We made mandala covers for them, and they came out so adorable! Unfortunately, I’ve been on the hunt for more stools for six months, and they’re nowhere to be found. But when they’re only $5 each, it’s worth the wait.

Crocheted Animal Projects: Hippos, Giraffes, and Turtles—Oh My!

I’ve made a few cute animal projects lately, the hippo being my favorite. I’ve done two or three of them (who’s counting?), and I love how they look from every angle. I also tried a giraffe but wasn’t as excited about it. The tortoise on the other hand? Absolutely adorable.

Binder Cover for Kenya Crochet Guild

Most recently, I whipped up a project for the Kenya Crochet Guild. We have a sign-in binder that needed a little crochet love, so I crocheted a beautiful cover for it using a fantail (also called paintbrush) stitch. I used some super cute yarn that was imported from Turkey, and I’m obsessed with how it came out. I’ve been meaning to create a tutorial on the fantail stitch too – hoping to get that done soon!

My Biggest WIP Right Now: Cozy Corner-to-Corner Blanket

Here’s my major project at the moment: a cozy corner-to-corner blanket. It started off as a cocoon sweater, but I made it too long, so now it’s going to be a blanket for a friend. It was supposed to be one of those granny square jackets, but when your square turns out bigger than you thought, that’s where creativity comes in! Since it’s in a fluffy chenille yarn, it’s so thick and perfect for the cooler weather.

For the finishing touch, I’m adding an eyelash chenille to the edging, and I think it’ll look amazing once it’s all done. I’ll update you all soon!

What’s Next for Me?

Outside of crochet, I’ve got a birthday party to plan with bounce castles and all the fun kid chaos that comes with it. I’m also waiting on another yarn delivery from Turkey – and let me just say, I’ve got some beautiful cotton bamboo yarn that I can’t wait to show you. I made a tunic out of it, and it’s one of my favorite makes.

Tell Me What You Want to See!

That’s enough about me! I want to know what you’re into. What projects have you been working on? What patterns do you want to see? I’d love to hear from you – just leave a comment below or connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp. Let’s keep this crafty conversation going!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I can’t wait to share more soon. Stay hooked, friends, and happy crocheting!