Meet Twisted By The Sea
This week’s featured maker is Jennie from Twisted by the Sea, whose crochet creations are as cosy as they are adorable. From her sofa studio (with yarn, hooks and a cuppa always to hand), Jennie lovingly crafts baby booties, hats, cardigans and blankets, each piece filled with warmth and care. What started with a few balls of yarn and a passion reignited in a care home has grown into her full-time creative business – and her happy place. We caught up with Jennie to talk about her journey with crochet, her inspirations, and the joy of making tiny treasures for little ones.
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Tell us a bit about your background and how/why you started your creative business.
My Mom taught me to knit, sew, embroidery and crochet. I stuck with the knitting and when I had my children I made them many character jumpers. Due to health reasons I gave it all up for some years. Then whilst working in a care home, the residents started making blankets for orphanages in Africa. This is where my passion for crochet really kicked in. A few balls of yarn soon developed into a stash, and YouTube was a great teacher. Now several years later, I have left my day job and my crochet is my only income.
What do you make and how would you describe your style?
I create handcrafted crochet baby booties, hats and cardigans – cute, cosy and adorable.
What inspires your work?
I use Stylecraft Special DK which is a premium acrylic yarn, its lovely and soft for babies. I just love creating baby items. Which recently has also turned into writing patterns.
Tell us about your creative process
I have more ideas than time to make them, then I go off on a tangent and at some point come back to the original idea. It’s a whole process – although not the most ordered one.
What’s your workspace or studio like?
My workspace is in the corner of the sofa, with my yarn bag, hooks and cuppa on the side table. Oh and you’ll find the note book, tablet and a few patterns. The spare room is the yarn store and packing store (it does also have a bed for visitors).
What’s your favourite thing to make – and why?
Even though you won’t find many in my shop, I actually love making blankets. For me its the calming repetition which I find relaxing.
What’s something people might not know about your craft or the skills involved?
A random fact about me – I’m a qualified nail technician, for me this never took off as a career, I did this post the age of 40, but I did gain skills and it pushed me out of my comfort zone, which I think have helped in starting my crafting business.
What does creativity mean to you?
My crochet is my happy place – it’s been a source of therapy in the past, where I can sit and switch off to the adult issues and just tune into my craft.
What does Christmas look like for you?
We don’t really celebrate Christmas as it’s a challenging time of year in our family, so we just have quiet time together. We still share presents and have the best Christmas dinner and Christmas pudding.
Do you have any festive products you’d like us to highlight?
Which three Folksy shops are you buying from this Christmas?
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking about starting a creative business?
Believe in yourself 😊 and read information – there is plenty out there which is free!!
What is a quote you live by?
Follow your dreams and be happy
Previous Featured Maker – Becka Griffin
To find out more about Becka Griffin head to her Folksy shop, or to see more of our featured makers head here.
