Meet Andi, a 51-year-old British Nanna who thought detailed dolls were beyond her… until a Crochetree video said, “You can do it.” Freya Fairy became her first step. More than 50 dolls later, she’s stitching joy into every spare hour.
Here's her story, in her own words:
"Hi everyone. My name is Andi and I am a British 51-year-old grandmother. I have 2 granddaughters aged 9 and 1 year old. I am also an honorary Nanna to my daughters’ friends’ little ones, who are mostly girls. I never run out of little ones to make things for.
My crochet journey started when I was a little girl, watching my pregnant auntie crochet blankets for her baby. She was crocheting a large granny square using leftover wool from other family members who knitted. Each round was a different colour and I was mesmerised! I really wanted to learn how to do it! My auntie wouldn’t teach me, probably because she was heavily pregnant and I was a full on 11-year-old. She probably just wanted some peace and quiet.
I was always crafty and tried nearly everything. I drew, painted, knitted, made candles and even embroidered patterns on my clothes. I enjoyed doing it all but I never found that one craft that I thought “Yes! This is for me!”
Then 17 years ago, a weekly magazine kit was brought out. It came with a DVD, step by step instructions, a hook and wool. The first project was making granny squares. You can imagine my excitement! I was hooked! Literally! I made granny square blankets galore and learned how to make lots of different things from scarves to baby hats and booties. I made amigurumi teddies and I especially loved making big lop-eared bunnies that were 40 cm long. I used all different wool types and colours and especially loved using “magic wool” that made up its own pattern as you crocheted. As much as I loved creating them, I was bored by the same repetitive process of each pattern and had enough, I didn’t enjoy crocheting anymore and retired my hook.
For many years I didn’t crochet. Then one day I was scrolling through Facebook when I came across an advert for Crochetree. I was spellbound by these beautiful dolls. I fell in love with the clothes and my creative juices started flowing again. I really wanted to make these dolls clothes but I didn’t think I was good enough to make them. Especially the eyes, they looked really difficult! And the hair looked impossible, where would you even start with that?
Then Ticiana spoke in her video saying “You can do it”, “I can show you how”, “You will find step by step instructions, designed for all skill levels, ensuring anyone can succeed”, “the vivid eyes may seem complicated to make but they are quite simple if you know what to do. It’s easy because we provide images for every detail, guiding you as if I was right there beside you ". It was risk free with a 30-day money back guarantee. I looked at their website and the choice on offer was astounding and the patterns were really affordable. I thought “well why not? What do I have to lose?”
My first choice was easy. I was immediately drawn to Freya Fairy. I ordered the cotton online. I had never worked with cotton before so was excited to get started and within a couple of weeks I had made my first doll. I was so happy! Not because she looked as good as her picture (she really didn’t) but because I was able to do it, just like Ticiana promised. I needed to make her again straight away, but better this time (I’m a total perfectionist). Perfecting this doll using cotton was going to be expensive and I had bags and bags of double knitted wool just sitting there. I dived straight in and made a further 4 fairies. I used “magic wool” for the hair and loved the effect so much that a lot of my dolls now have this multicoloured hair. I improved every time I made one, learning to crochet the body tighter and to be honest I still try to improve every time I make one.
Since discovering these patterns early 2022, I have made to date more than 50 (I think I might have an addiction, EEK!)
Every single doll I have worked on has been my favourite at the time, but I do have a special place in my heart for some. I especially love the dolls I’ve made for my granddaughters and nieces. I made sleeping Dominic for my eldest granddaughter last Christmas. I presented him in a large cardboard box, sleeping, with his eye mask on and under his blanket, cuddling his taggy. I created a Christmas morning scene around him, a crocheted Christmas tree with lights and presents all around. In these gifts were changes of clothes, 2 football strips, a hoody, shorts, t-shirt, football boots, shoes, a cap and of course his football. I loved creating it so much that I did the same for my niece using sleeping Chloe, who came with a vast wardrobe, shoe and bag collection. I made a purple haired bride wearing blue sandals for a purple haired bride who wore blue sandals on her big day. I adapted the dress pattern so it would match her dress. I also adapted various dolls designs to make a Wednesday doll and a Gabby cat doll. I even make the smaller rabbit, unicorn and reindeer for my pups. They are the only toys that they won’t destroy. In fact, every time I make something small, they automatically think It’s for them.
Crochetree asked me, “What role does crocheting play in your life?” the answer is huge! It plays a huge role in my life. I suffer from a pain condition called fibromyalgia. At certain points throughout the day, I have to stop whatever I’m doing, take my medication and rest. I wrap myself in a heated throw for at least an hour just so that I could continue throughout my day. I would watch tv or play games on my phone, hating that I was wasting 3-5 hours a day and feeling guilty for just taking the time to heal. Now I sit and crochet. I am being creative and productive and actually accomplishing something worthwhile. I really enjoy and look forward to these down times now.
I’m taking my hobby one step further now. I’ve started the process of testing my crochet dolls to the UKCA standard and plan to start my own small business. This has given me a huge confidence boost so now I don’t feel like I’m just being lazy. I’m actually working for the first time in a long time. I don’t do it for the money though; I do it for the sheer joy of it and I’ll reinvest in more wool, to fuel my addiction.
If I had any advice to offer it would be this;
- Read and re-read the patterns carefully. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve nearly contacted Crochetree because I thought that they had made a mistake, when in fact I was reading it wrong.
- Take your time and be patient. Enjoy and trust the process, learning new techniques and watching your project come to life.
- Crochet tight! Make the body and head as tight and even tension for the best results.
After 17 years of crocheting, I have recently learned that by using the “yarn under” technique, my stitches are naturally tighter than using the “yarn over”. I believe it gives the dolls a more professional finish and gives a better stitch guide to follow when embroidering the eyes. As I am re-learning, I am back to being much slower, but I’ll keep going. I have so many more dolls I want to make. My next projects will be Count Drake, Meredith and Vladimir the Nutcracker.
Happy crafting everyone,
with love, Andi x"
