Today I’m back with a Meet a Designer interview! I had meant to post an interview much sooner in September, but September really kicked my butt and today was the first opportunity I had to share an interview with you, so I hope it’s one you enjoy.
You have likely heard of Em from Meemma Makes, who is a wonderful pattern designer and crochet podcaster. I love her vlogs which share all her crochet and knit projects, and her designs have really taken my breath away because I am a sucker for a granny square and Em really kicks those out of the park. If you want to watch her vlogs or learn from Em, you can find her on Youtube.
Meet Em! Crochet podcaster and designer, Em has been crocheting for over a decade and a forward thinking modern designer and former midwife based out of the UK.
You can also find Em on Etsy, and support her on the Wool Warehouse.
I personally find Em’s designs fresh and modern, and really fun. I love her Hexadaisy blanket, and her latest crochet along, the Yorkshire Blanket, is such a lovely and original idea.
Let’s dive into the interview, and hear from Em herself.
Interview
- Can you describe how you first became a pattern designer?
I have been a keen crocheter for almost 14 years and although I have followed patterns, I usually ended up making up my own patterns inspired by what I had seen online. I had thought about sharing my patterns over the years but my life and career got in the way. Then in 2021 I was working as a Midwife in the NHS and I caught covid and unfortunately never recovered enough to return to my career. In Autumn 2022 I had spent over a year so unwell I could barely leave the house and I was incredibly lonely and isolated, so I began sharing my crochet on Instagram and TikTok hoping to connect with other crocheters to ease my loneliness. My creations got more attention than I was expecting and before long I was asked for tutorials and patterns for my blankets. I began by sharing tutorials on TikTok that went viral, and so Meema Makes was born! I began publishing patterns on Etsy and Ravelry in early 2023 and started a YouTube channel as I was not enjoying TikTok at all. I decided then to focus on Meema Makes as a business that I could work at for 10-12 hours week flexibly around my health problems. Now here we are over a year later – I have published 14 crochet patterns, made 86 YouTube videos and I am currently hosting my fourth Crochet Along, with a growing community of keen crocheters. As someone who previously didn’t like social media I never thought this was where my life was heading! I am so very grateful that I am able to follow my passion in spite of my continuing health problems.
- What keeps you inspired and designing?
My community. The best part about what I do is helping others reach their crochet goals and achieve something they never thought they could do. I like to think that in my previous career I helped families at their start, and now I continue to help people albeit in a very different way! In particular, I like making detailed tutorials and patterns aimed at beginner to improver crocheters so they can learn new stitches and skills. I also think my Crochet Along blankets empower crocheters to try new designs and learn new things with the support of the community.
- How would you describe your patterns and designs?
Up until the current CAL that is running, my designs were simple, beginner-friendly, and very colourful. I draw my inspiration from vintage colour palettes and nature, especially flowers. I adore granny squares and hexagons so you will notice that all of my designs involve one of those!
- What do you hope to accomplish with each of your patterns?
I want my patterns to inspire and empower crocheters. I want you to download the pattern and think “wow, here is all the information I need” – there is no guesswork or assumed knowledge involved. If you come across a new stitch, then you have the instructions or video tutorial right there on how to make the stitch rather than having to google it. If you have a particular colour palette in mind, go for it! If you want to make changes to the pattern to adapt it to your needs then you can. I want you to feel that you can achieve what you want to achieve.
- How have you grown and changed as a designer over the years?
I am still a fairly new designer having been publishing less than 18 months and up until recently my patterns have been beginner friendly. I try to ensure my patterns are detailed and easy to follow, with accompanying photo and video tutorials so that crocheters have all the resources they need to make the pattern regardless of their skill and confidence levels. However I started venturing into Improver and beyond patterns with the current Crochet Along. The blanket is called the Yorkshire Sampler and includes 12 square designs inspired by the countryside of Yorkshire. The squares start out easier and slowly increase in complexity as we learn new crochet stitches and skills. It has been challenging to design and write but I hope to continue designing both beginner and improver patterns in the future.
- What tools do you like to use best?
In terms of hooks, I could not be without my Clover Amours! My preferred yarn weight is DK. I find it is light enough to crochet with year round and not so thin that it is fiddly to crochet with and takes too long! In 2023 I made the decision to start to move away man-made fibres for environmental reasons and I am really enjoying trying new fibres. My most recent discovery is bamboo – it has such a beautiful softness and drape! However I do realise that many crocheters want to continue to use acrylic so I often provide alternative colour palettes in acrylic yarn for my patterns. You’ll find no judgement about your fibre choices from me!
- Who do you want to share your creative journey with?
Anyone and everyone interested in crochet blankets!
- Who are designers that you admire or that influence your work?
I admire Jane Crowfoot. Her blanket designs are absolutely stunning and so complex. Although I don’t see myself designing anything as complex as her designs, I do love following her on social media to see what she comes up with next. The Spirit of Flora blanket is on my to-do list for when I have the time between pattern writing and video making!
- Where are you from and how does that influence your work as a designer?
I am originally from the Midlands of England, but I moved to Yorkshire in the North of England in 2016 to begin my Midwifery career. I adore Yorkshire and have settled here permanently with my partner who is local. I’ve even developed a bit of an accent! The Yorkshire countryside is so stunning with the rolling hills and moors – I drew inspiration from it for my latest blanket design. I am sure living in such a beautiful place will continue to inspire me through the rest of my journey as a crochet designer.
Final Thoughts
I’m so incredibly honoured that I had the chance to interview Em, and share her thoughts about her crochet journey and designs today. I hope you enjoyed the interview and that you’ll check out Em and her designs.
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