Trendy Granny Square Bag
New project alert! Yarnplaza & Haakstudio Lien have teamed up once again for a new project: the Trendy Granny Square Bag! This little bag is nice and compact, cheerful, and perfect for taking anywhere. A small bag like this is perfect for your everyday tools & supplies, such as your keys, phone, and wallet. We asked Carolien a few questions about the bag:
I got the idea because of current fashion trends. I noticed that a lot of the items in the clothing store are inspired by crochet and Granny Squares. So I thought, “I can make those myself!”
Of course, I use the bag myself, too! Especially to complete your outfit when you're heading out. Or for a night on the town. The size is perfect for your phone, keys, and lipstick!
When it comes to colors, I'm really into pastels, lilac, white, light pink, yellow, and green right now. You see these colors a lot in fashion, too.
Summer Shawl Crochet Kit
You can see exactly what Carolien’s scarf from Haakstudio Lien looks like below. Since it can sometimes get a bit chilly even in the summer, Carolien designed this shawl. You can easily drape it over your shoulders on a cooler summer evening on the patio or wear it as an extra layer at the beach. This Crochet Kit includes Mixed Up yarn from Pink Label. This yarn is made of 60% cotton and 40% Acrylic and is wonderfully soft, so you can snuggle up in this shawl. You can choose from two different color combinations: Cosy Yellow/Vintage Rose or Cement Grey/Off White.
Interview with Carolien from Haakstudio Lien
We’d love to introduce you to the cheerful designer behind this beautiful shawl. Read or watch the interview below for a glimpse into Carolien’s world of crochet.
Hi, I'm Carolien. Most people probably know me from Haakstudio Lien. For example, I've made zebra heads that you can see on my Instagram and Facebook accounts.
About 13 years ago. My sister-in-law asked if I wanted to join a crochet workshop, so I spent three evenings crocheting. It was a bit of a struggle at first, but I was hooked right away. Eventually, it turned into a hobby that got a little out of hand.
Color! That's all there is to it. I just really love beautiful colors that go well together. You can see that on my social media accounts, too.
I find that pretty difficult. I enjoy making Amigurumi, but only when it’s quiet at home. That way, I can count properly and crochet all the stitches correctly. When I’m watching TV, I like to crochet scarves and home decor items. I love crocheting Blankets, and that’s easiest to do while watching Netflix.
There’s one project I’m very proud of. When my mother was sick, I crocheted a shawl for her. She wore it all the time. Unfortunately, my mother passed away last year, but I still have the shawl.
Mostly people I follow on Instagram. I also absolutely love books. I love flipping through crochet books and getting inspiration that way. Nature is also a source of inspiration: the color combinations there are always so beautiful.
Over the past two years, I’ve been able to crochet a lot, and we couldn’t go out or eat out at all. So now I’m choosing to go out and enjoy good food with friends. The crochet nights still happen during the week anyway, so I don’t really have to choose, haha.
I think it might actually be my husband. At first, he was skeptical about the things I was crocheting, but at some point I started creating some beautiful projects, and then he was really impressed by the things I made.
My husband. He really likes it to be dark in the evening, but when I start crocheting, I have to turn on the big light. He finds that annoying, but otherwise I can't see a thing.
On the couch, because then I can relax and watch TV. But I also have a really cozy little corner with a nice chair where I keep my things. If I have time to crochet during the day, that’s where I like to sit best.
Lots of yarn! I have a huge bin full of Cotton yarn so I always have the colors I need. I really love crochet books, so I have a whole bunch of those, too.
Yes, of course I can tell you a bit about it. It’s my very first design, and I think it turned out really well. I’m very happy with the result. It’s turned out to be a nice, soft, supple scarf that’s perfect for spring. I tried out many different stitches and kept feeling the fabric until I achieved the result I wanted.
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