Daylight savings has officially cured my winter blues and I am officially feeling inspired by spring! This year will be my first year breaking into the spring/summer designing. I’ve always felt most comfortable creating fall and winter accessories and garments. Life and business, just like spring, are all about growth so here I am stepping out of my comfort zone and designing for the warmer weather ahead!
There is an endless sea of inspiring makers out there who are already crushing the spring designing game. I draw so much creative mojo from the crochet/knit community around me and love to see others’ successes. Below you will find my first warm weather top plus 9 designs by 9 makers who keep me on my designing toes, make me smile, and that have talent that cannot be beat!
When I began contemplating my spring designs I was struck by stripes and unique textures. Sophie, my first ever spring/summer piece, uses a couple simple crochet stitches, worked in way to create a striping and ribbing effect. If you’re a beginner who hasn’t done colour work before, or wants to branch out of the basic stitches then Sophie is for you!
Scoop up Sophie here.
Two Arrows Crochet - where do I even begin with this woman? Jaylee is my soul sister! We’re both teachers, total goofballs, and share similar tastes in food - not to mention our crochet addiction. She is currently designing some super cute things for the warmer weather and I’m loving every single minute of it. When the new faux fur yarn began trending I was not a fan, but Jaylee’s Gertie vest changed my mind. She mixes it with regular yarn and a unique stitch design that brings the faux fur to a whole new level. This vest is a staple for a crocheters spring wardrobe.
Spring just wouldn’t be spring without a triangle scarf! Tonja from Pink Plumeria Maui inspires me with the beautiful, bold, vibrate colours she uses in her designs. Her Maui Dreams Scarf is high in beautiful texture and possibility. Solid colours, variegated, or stripes - the choice is yours with this beautiful scarf. I am also excited to announce that Tonja and I will be going live together on her instagram @pinkplumeriamaui this Tuesday, March 19th at 5pm PST (8pm EST) to chat all about our crochet businesses, what we’re making now, and answer your questions!
Get your copy of the Maui Dreams Scarf here
Linda from Eleven Handmade is one of the most talented crochet designers when it comes to texture. Her pieces are so unique, when you see them you instantly know they’re hers. She truly thinks outside of the box with her stitching. I currently have her Goldenrod as one of my WIPs, but I am already eyeing her Bruni top for spring. The Bruni top is elegant, feminine, and perfect for layering under a light spring jacket and transitioning into summer.
Get Bruni on your hook here
Stephanie, Stephanie, Stephanie. This woman defines hustle. Look it up in the dictionary - you will see a picture of @by.stephanie.erin. She first hit my radar when she applied to test for me and since then I cannot get enough of her. This year alone she has designed around half a dozen of her own garments, in addition to testing garments for me and a handful of other designers - all while holding down a full time job and keeping a boyfriend! Wow. Her Double Treble sweater is the perfect piece for spring - the wide neckline will keep you cool but body and sleeves will keep you warm.
Scoop up the Double Treble Sweater here
Made by Hailey Bailey’s pieces are inspired by nature and created with such elegance. I was fortunate to test for Hailey in the past and know her patterns are simple to follow. She offers multiple tips for success and often incorporates customizable components to fit all bodies. I find her colour work absolutely breathtaking and have been swooning over her Oriole Triangle Scarf. Wear it as a scarf, or over your shoulders as a shawl to keep yourself cozy in those cool spring breezes.
Pick up your copy of the Oriole Triangle Scarf here
Mollie from White Owl Crochet Co is probably the smartest person I know. In addition to being crazy smart, she’s also crazy talented at BOTH knit and crochet! I had the pleasure of staying with Mollie in Chicago last year for the Our Maker Life event - she saw grumpy morning Courtney and still chooses to be friends with me so she’s clearly a really great, understanding person! Her designs have a classic elegance about them and her new Cedarbrook Sweater is at the top of my list of things to make this year.
Pick up your Cedarbrook Sweater Pattern here
Claire from E’Claire Makery and I are cooking up something special for spring with our girl Stephanie (above) - but that’s a secret for another day! Claire’s designs are fun, playful and often whimsical and those designs bring such brightness to my Instagram feed. She is full of endless positivity and is constantly coming up with unique ways to market her business - did you know she has a podcast? I think her Jumbo Mushroom Amigurumi is a must make for spring because it is absolutely adorable and will definitely bring a smile to your face each time you see it sitting on your living room couch!
Grab your copy of the Jumbo Mushroom Pattern here
Spring mornings are crisp and cool so it’s a good idea to have a spring inspired beanie on the ready! With Alex has designed the perfect crocheted beanie to keep your ears warm while walking your dog and sipping your morning coffee at the start of your day. The long stitches remind me of early spring flowers breaking through the ground, promising us their beautiful colours in the coming weeks.
Start making your Dandelion Field Beanie here
With the warmer months brings the onset of delicious fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market. I love going to my local market every Saturday and picking from a selection of fresh, local, organic veggies. Simply Made By Erin has designed the perfect bag to take on trips to the market to fill up with local bounty while remaining eco-conscious in not using plastic bags. This bag could also double as a beach bag in the summer! Perfect for transitioning between outdoor activities!
Get your copy of the Market Tote pattern here
I hope you all enjoyed reading about some of my favourite makes for spring! I know my fingers will be busy working up as many of these designs as possible. What are you going to make first? Where do you find your spring inspiration?
Happy hooking,
Courtney