This month, I’m interviewing Noreen, the owner of Stitching Wren Crochet. Until now, I have interviewed people who design clothing and accessories, and all of them have been knitters. This month, I have something completely different for you. Noreen makes patterns for 3-dimensional crocheted saint dolls that are just amazing! Let’s see what she has to say. Noreen’s words are in purple and mine are in black.

Noreen, tell me about how you got started in fiber arts. How did you first learn to crochet?

I first started out as a knitter. My mom taught me when I was about 5 years old. She didn’t want me using the sharp needles, so she taught me to knit using pencils. I knitted all the way up through high school until I discovered crocheting and decided to give it a try. I taught myself how to do it from a youtube video, and I was hooked! I liked it much better. I felt like there were so many more designs that you could do including the amigurumi, which is basically just 3-dimensional creations such as dolls.

You mentioned that you started knitting first. Do you still knit also, or do you just focus on crochet at this point?

Once I started crocheting, I never really went back to knitting.

What led you from learning to crochet to designing your own patterns?

When my daughters were born, I wanted them to each have their own doll that I had made for them, and I found some adorable designs on Etsy. I loved the variety and quality of the patterns–it was really inspiring! I also noticed that some of these Etsy sellers only sold patterns but had quite a good number of sales, and I realized that there was a market for crochet patterns. As a busy mother of two, I didn’t think I would ever have the time to make and sell actual dolls, but if I could put the patterns together, and then that could be a form of ongoing income.

One of the things everyone says is to find your niche, and you certainly have. Your saint doll patterns are really unique and wonderful. What made you decide to start making them?

When my oldest daughter was about 18 months old, she loved playing with this set of Disney princess figures. She knew all their names and stories. This made me realize that if she had some dolls of the saints, that maybe she would learn all about them too. This lead me to creating my first pattern, the Virgin Mary, followed shortly by the rest of the holy family.

Before you starting designing and making the dolls based on different saints, did you design other patterns?

No, these were my first patterns. Honestly, I never thought I would be able to do it. I didn’t even know where to begin, but I did some research and found some tips and started out with a sketch of what I wanted my dolls to look like. I knew I wanted them small for little hands and with as few appendages as possible to avoid chocking hazards. After lots of trial and error, and mock-ups and experimenting with different yarns, I finally came up with the final product. It was a lot of time and a lot of work, and I never would have been able to do it without the support of my husband. I almost gave up several times, but he always encouraged me to keep going and I’m so glad I did.

I love stories like that. It just shows how much you can accomplish with perseverance and the encouragement of someone close!

Do you have a favorite weight of yarn to work with?

Fingering weight; super fine.

How about a favorite fiber?

I loved working with the mini skein that you sent me in Renaissance Blue, it was 92% superwash merino wool and 8% lurex.

I’m so glad you like it!

What is your own personal favorite design that you have made so far?

My favorite is probably my original version of Mary, but I’m also very proud of my St. Patrick doll as well. It took me a long time to figure out the mitre (his bishop hat).

I just can’t even imagine how you are able to figure things like that out, and the patterns are actually bigger than I thought. What saint patterns are you planning to make next?

I plan on finishing the nativity collection, which will consist of an angel, a shepherd, and maybe some animals -I haven’t quite decided yet. Once that is done, I would love to make a whole line of Marian dolls, some female saints and other popular saints like St. Francis as well as other collections such as Noah’s ark. Maybe someday I would like to branch out and do some historical characters such as the founding fathers or fictional characters from the girls favorite stories. Also, I am open to suggestions!

Oh, my goodness. How exciting! My 4-year-old has been asking and asking for a Noah’s Ark set.

Do you have any plans to sell the dolls as well, or do you think you’ll keep focusing on the patterns?

Now that I have more experience under my belt and I know my design very well I can produce the dolls at a much faster rate and I do think that I will be able to sell the dolls themselves. Each doll takes at least 8-9 hours. I’m working on creating a “made to order” option in my Etsy shop. My main concentration, however, will be to continue designing more patterns to build up my shop and brand.

Well, I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!

Where can we find you on social media?

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/noleend/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stitchingwrencrochet/

 

Where can we find your patterns?

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/StitchingWrenCrochet

Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/noreen-barrs

Craftsy: https://www.craftsy.com/crocheting/patterns/amigurumi-st-patrick-doll-crochet-pattern/574461