I’m back today with another interview with a designer! If you haven’t heard of Crab Abble Crafts, you ought know that Ashtin is a talented designer who prefers to design crochet pieces that are both lovely and of an intermediate level crocheter’s skill. I admire the unique stitch patterns Ashtin uses and have been working on her Ma’s Prairie Shawl in a lovely tweed yarn and loving the way it works up.
Meet Ashtin! Slow maker and crafter of over ten years, Ashtin’s designs are ones I truly feel inspired by. They are modern, but also timeless and therefore strike me as classic.
Ashtin believes in the functionality of her designs, and enjoys the “sacredness between maker and made” which I think is an absolutely beautiful way to approach fibre crafts.
Interview
1. Can you describe how you first became a pattern designer?
I started “designing” patterns for myself in college after I had been crocheting for 2 or 3 years. I loved the challenge of seeing something and replicating it on my own. It wasn’t a few years later until I started actually writing down what I was doing with the purpose of publishing the pattern. I slowly took on more challenging designs as I got more confident. I don’t have any special background – I taught myself crochet when I was 17 and knitting when I was about 25. However, I would say that my years spent as a middle school math tutor helped me greatly in design work. Outside of Crab Abble, I work in a STEM field, so it’s not related at all!
2. What keeps you inspired and designing?
To be honest, I started designing when I had a lot more time on my hands. There have been several points in the last 3 years where I have thought of retiring, but I genuinely love to create patterns (publishing them is the hard part ;)). I love trying to replicate things I see at the store or in magazines. I love how relaxing it can be to follow someone else’s pattern, but I just can’t stop making my own.
3. How would you describe your patterns and designs?
I feel like my “style” is a mix of classic silhouettes with some cottagecore coziness tied in. I personally don’t like pieces that are too revealing or modern. I like to work with crochet to make something that is a little more elevated and polished. I try to keep my patterns simple, although I actually prefer to make more intricate and advanced projects. In the end, I like to make pieces that feel like art. Clothing is such a big part of a person’s personal expression, and when you make something by hand you can really make it fit your personality perfectly.
4. What do you hope to accomplish with each of your patterns?
As someone who loves to crochet, I actually don’t like most crochet clothes. Maybe that’s why I design – to bring something a little different to the table. And of course there’s nothing wrong with certain styles, they’re just not for me. I feel like crochet has grown in popularity so much lately and some of the stuff out there is a little young, goofy, and fun. This is great to see more people crocheting, but it’s just not my niche I suppose. I want my patterns to feel stylish and sophisticated, which I try to convey through the photography style, the actual written pattern, and the design itself. I hope to show people that crocheting can be on par with knitting in terms of elegance, longevity, and style. It doesn’t have to be all about granny squares and filet crochet (both great techniques!) – crochet can also be about texture and drape, classic silhouettes and flattering fits.
5. How have you grown and changed as a designer over the years?
One of the biggest changes I have felt in the past few years is this desire to elevate crochet into a new spot of sophistication. One way I’ve tried to implement that is to use more expensive and luxurious yarns. I think it’s a bummer that most marketing for these higher end brands is geared towards knitting, but I think that can be changed. I have started using brands like Knitting for Olive and De Rerum Natura in my designs. I think if we want an end crochet project that will feel like art, we need to start with the best materials. There’s no reason why we can’t use these yarns to crochet and make something beautiful.
6. Where are you from and how does that influence your work as a designer?
I am from a small town in eastern Washington. I grew up on a small hobby farm with my 3 sisters. I consider myself as part of the modern homesteading movement and learn towards more holistic ways of life. I think this influences me as a designer because it has changed who I design for. I feel more in touch with other moms of little kids and women who live a simpler lifestyle, which has led me to prioritizing design work that reflects the needs of that community. This falls in line with the desire to use more natural fibers in my designs, and has influenced me to slow down and take a “slow knitting” approach to design work and life in general. I don’t release as many patterns as I used to, but when I do release a pattern I like to ensure that the best yarn was used, the instructions are as clear as possible, and that the pattern itself is beautiful to look at. I want women to feel like making a Crab Abble pattern is a treat, like retreating to a cozy corner of the world amidst the chaos.
Final Thoughts
Reading through Ashtin’s answers has been such a pleasure, as her intention of elevating crochet as well embracing slow living and making really shines through in her designs and brand. I really hope that you have enjoyed getting to know this thoughtful and talented designer. Be sure to check out her stuff as it’s really breathtaking.
