Crochet is all the rage! The trendy cardigans, sweaters, and accessories from Liefs van Suus are proof of that. With vibrant colors, prints, and unique stitches, Suus creates fashion you’ve got to love! Curious about the Haakster behind these stylish designs? Then be sure to read on in this second edition of “Yarnplaza & ... 2020.”
You probably remember Suus from Haakster 2019. Thanks to her creativity and enthusiasm, she made it to the finals. But even outside of this competition, this talented designer has gained many fans. Her Instagram account (@liefsvansuus_) has no fewer than 5,000 followers! It's high time for a collaboration...
My name is Suzanne, but people know me better as Suus. Not even my grandma calls me Suzanne. Most people will know me from last year’s (2019) Haakster contest. And some of you may also know me from “Liefs van Suus” on Facebook, Instagram, or my blog.
I think it’s been about seven years now. I had an accident that left me stuck at home. I was bored out of my mind! I just had to do something. Watching TV and reading books didn’t cut it. But crocheting did. So at first it was a really nice distraction, and later it turned into a tiny little obsession.
My style can be described as: colorful, trendy, and beautiful in its simplicity.
I always go for clothes. I really don’t have the patience for Amigurumi. I find it such a fiddly process. I do really enjoy making home decor, though. I often think to myself: I should make a cute cushion or design a blanket. But then I start something, and it ends up being a cardigan anyway. I accidentally add sleeves, and then it turns into something to wear again, haha. So I do want to make home decor—and there’s definitely a desire to do it—but I still enjoy making clothes the most.
I’m most proud of the projects I crocheted for Haakster. That’s because during this competition, you have to constantly push yourself and keep working to produce great pieces. Last summer, I designed a really cute cardigan: the Summer Breeze Cardigan. It’s such a cool piece. People are really enthusiastic about it, so I’m definitely very proud of that, too.
My biggest source of inspiration is current fashion trends. I love browsing Pinterest and Instagram to see what people are wearing, and I follow a lot of fashion accounts. I try to translate that into my own style. When I see a sweater in a store, I think, “How can I make this just a little more original and unique?” And then I try to turn that into a pattern.
I think that’s a really tough question, because I love doing both. Finding a balance is really important. I love going out to eat or hitting up a bar, but then I also need to have an evening where I’m all alone, just sitting on the couch with my cat, crocheting.
Well, I don't really know how to do anything else, haha. I can crochet... and sew a little. I can put together a pair of basic shorts or take in a pair of pants—I can manage all that. But that's not really my passion. I don't really get knitting, and, um... yeah, I'll just stick to crocheting.
Your biggest fan is your mom, right? My mom often tells all her friends what I'm making. She also rallied her whole group of friends to vote for me in the Haakster contest. So yeah, she's my biggest fan.
The cat, haha. He really wants to sit on my lap or just get some attention. But when I start crocheting, he has to leave, or else his fur will get on my work. Or he’ll lie down right on top of my ball of yarn. So then he walks out the door, looking a little upset.
It's nice to be home, in my crochet chair and on the couch. I'll just put on a podcast and start crocheting!
I crochet very tightly. When I have something tested, my testers definitely use a Crochet Hook that’s at least half a size smaller than mine.
Wow, my crochet stash really has a bit of everything. I have a ton of cotton yarn balls. Because whenever I decide to make an Amigurumi, I make sure I have more than enough. And then I never use them again. So, lots of cotton, but also lots of Acrylic, Stylecraft, and these days I’m also a big fan of yarn balls with a wool blend.
Coffee, for sure. Unless it’s past four o’clock—then we switch to wine (sorry, Mom, haha). I always need to have a pair of scissors and a notepad handy. And definitely something to listen to—a good true-crime podcast or TV series, for example. When it comes to TV series, I never actually see the people; I just know their names and stuff.
Yeah, a cardigan! I saw a photo on Instagram of a yoga instructor I follow. She was wearing this really cool scarf—bright yellow with a mesh-like texture. And then I thought: this would be so cool to wear as a cardigan, draped over your arms and neck. I already knew what the sleeves and neckline would look like, but the rest of the cardigan was still a total mystery. So I spent a long time searching for a nice stitch pattern to use for the rest of the cardigan. I wanted it to look really special, but I also wanted anyone to be able to make it. So it is a slightly more complicated stitch, but once you get the hang of it, it crochets up a breeze.
Well, I'm a big fan of Pleun from @studiowoordendraad. She uses really beautiful colors on Instagram. Her feed is just perfect. I also follow a number of English-speaking designers, such as @littlegoldennook. She makes really cool cardigans and sweaters with those little bobbles. That's really her signature style. And another designer I really enjoy following is Sandra from @nomadstitches. Among other things, she designs Bohemian-style bikini tops and sweaters.
Watch the video interview with Suus here
Crocheting with Love from Suus
And now it’s your turn! As Suus said: “Even with just a little crocheting experience, you can crochet this trendy summer cardigan using the surprising butterfly stitch.” You can order the pattern separately or choose a complete Crochet Kit. You’re sure to look absolutely radiant this summer!
