Based in Cardiff, Wales, Krishna Varsani is a designer of colorful crochet patterns, from sweaters and accessories to cute little critters. The Endless Skein is delighted to be featuring Krishna's stripey Spring Tee for our Spring 2024 Giving Project.

Keep reading for Krishna's take on losing one's "crojo" and on why crocheters are amazing!

Please tell us the story of how you learned to crochet.

I had this vague memory of learning French knitting (a.k.a. spool knitting) when I was in Primary School, and I'd never seen it since. So with a bit of googling, I learned about a knitting dolly, and set out to find one! But before I could, I'd wandered into a charity shop and saw this old tattered board game style box labeled "knitting kit" for £1, including a creepy looking dolly. Of course it was an offer I couldn't refuse, and after I immediately got bored of French knitting, I found in the box a little leaflet on how to crochet, and a plastic crochet hook. That was 5 years ago, and I haven't stopped since! It was the happiest of accidents.

What do you love the most about crocheting?

It's just so versatile. The fact you can make anything from giant teddy bears to delicate little doilies is incredible to me, and I always feel special knowing a machine can't do what I now can. There's so many amazing crocheters out there, and everyone does something different.

How did you come to start designing patterns?

I'd never bought a bobble hat that I liked! I'd seen lots of patterns for slouchy hats, but I like the feeling of a snug hat and being fairly new to crochet, I didn't really know now how to find the right pattern, so I wrote one! I became obsessed with the magic of pattern grading and being able to use my favourite spreadsheets to help me, which is strange, I know, but it's so fun!

Where do you tend to draw inspiration from for your designs?

It used to be things I thought other people would like, but that drove me down a path where I didn't enjoy what I was doing anymore. So I focused more on what I like personally, and hoped that there were people out there like me that would appreciate my designs.

What are some of your other passions (fiber-related or otherwise)?

The aforementioned spreadsheets! I can really get behind something that does the boring admin for us so we can focus on being creative. And the feeling when you write your final formula and everything works is so satisfying.

If you could sit and crochet anywhere in the world, where would it be?

On a cosy armchair, with a teapot by my side, looking out over fields on a chilly day.

What’s currently on your hook?

A scrap yarn cover for a grubby footstool I got from a charity shop for £4.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I always see posts on online groups where people have lost their crojo (crochet mojo) and it's a really hard way to feel about your hobby, we've all been there. I think it's easy to feel defeated by it, especially with social media and seeing the amazing things people create, but the fact we can crochet at all is amazing, and it's something to remember.

Be sure to follow Krishna Varsani on Instagram @whatinthehook!

Now through June 30, 2024, your purchase of yarn at The Endless Skein to crochet Krishna's Spring Tee will help support the Loose Ends Project, which connects volunteer finishers with unfinished projects left behind by deceased or infirm crafters.

Start your Spring Giving project today!