How Fallon from Teacup Crochet Designs conquered crochet

Welcome to The Creative Files, where we speak to some of the biggest crafters, makers and designers, gaining insights into their creative processes, inspiration and their advice for newcomers. This week we chatted with Fallon, the talented creator of Teacup Crochet Designs, who was kind enough to tell us her story of how she fell in love with crochet and created a business out of her hobby!

1. Who is Teacup Crochet Designs and what is it that you create?

My name is Fallon from TeaCup Crochet Designs, I am a Crochet Designer from Queensland, Australia. I design fun, creative crochet patterns. I love getting creative with designing fun, textured patterns that can be used in everyday life, from fashion beanies, headbands, slippers and cup cozies, to home décor like coasters, mug cosies, bottle holders and pot holders. I make seasonal patterns including Christmas decorations like large and mini stockings and tree hangers to tote bags, plant hangers, and summer patterns like beer cozies, freeze pop cozies… you name it! I love designing patterns that people can make and use.

2. Tell us about your crafting niche and how you found this?

My niche is designing patterns, especially ones with puff stitches. I love designing whole collections using my pattern designs - so if I make a new beanie pattern then a matching headband, cup cozy and gloves have to follow! I'd say my niche also includes creating designs in bright colours, from pinks to purples but also down-to-earth colours.

3. Tell us about your career journey to date. Did you always know you wanted to pursue this line of work?

I first started out as a hobby crocheter in 2014/15. My mum taught me how to crochet the very basic granny square. I never even considered at that point that I would one day be designing crochet patterns. My Nana used to crochet, sew and cross stitch and was amazing at it all, but never took it up as a hobby. I started crocheting because I watched my mum crocheting a blanket for my daughter and I enjoyed watching her hands and seeing how it worked. I just had to have a go to see what it felt like doing it myself, and I loved it! My Mum taught me how to create a granny square which I made a blanket out of - that blanket is still not finished to this day! I founded Teacup Crochet Designs in 2015 as a little creative outlet to show my newfound crafts. From there I self-taught myself the rest of crochet and learnt the stitches so I could then read the patterns. Once I learned how to read patterns I fell in love with the whole crochet process and it all started from there. I then started to test for other designers which was so much fun. I started designing my own patterns in 2017/18 with the push from one of my amazing designer friends Miranda from Crazy 4 Crochet Momma. I started designing myself and I created my very first headband pattern, and that was so scary for me - it's very daunting to design something and then put that design out for the whole world to see. Since then I have not looked back and I have over 100 patterns now. Designing patterns and putting them out into the world for everyone makes me happy!

4. How did you cultivate your distinct style?

Lots of practice. Lots of frustrating moments in between getting something to look right, as my style of patterns always has heaps of texture. My distinct style and niche is with Puff Stitches or Bobble Stitches - the majority of my patterns have some form of Puff Stitch or Bobble Stitch in it. I absolutely love all the textures that the puff stitch and bobble stitches make in my patterns and I will probably always have them in my patterns.

5. What is your creative process and where do you get your ideas/inspiration?

When designing new patterns or pattern collections, I begin by looking at all my designs that I have. I usually just think of a different way or form to design a new pattern and change it up by adding in different stitches to make the pattern and design look unique. I get ideas from around the house as to what to put that design into and what I will make, I take weather seasons into account, also the time of year. I love designing things that people can use in everyday life like winter fashion, summer fashion, home décor etc.

6. What does a typical working day look like for you?

I am a stay-at-home mum and wife. My typical work day starts with getting my daughter ready and off to school, my hubby off to work on his work days and getting all the household duties done like washing and tidying. I then come into my little craft/work room and work on my patterns, create new ones, crochet them, type them up and send them to testers. I also test patterns for other makers here and there. It's not really that exciting when you put it on paper, but I love being at home and being able to work from home with my own little pattern business, while still being able to spend time with my family whenever I want. And I can also do my business while on the road too, so it's the best of both worlds as they say. Family life and craft life are the best!

7. Tell us what your favourite project to work on so far?

My favourite pattern design I have created and worked on would have to be my "Perfectly Chic" Pattern Collection. I first started with a beanie design then grew out to have headbands, cup cozies, a beer cozy, tote bags, slippers, Christmas stockings and more. My favourite has always been the Perfectly Chic Beanie Pattern. I was featured in the online Crochet Magazine "Happily Hooked Magazine" three times with some of my Perfectly Chic patterns and also with my other "Sweet Bean" Wine bottle and matching wine glass cozy patterns. My Perfectly Chic Beanie pattern and I made the front page back in 2020 and that was the biggest and happiest moment of my life. I never thought I would ever be designing crochet patterns when I first started, let alone being featured on the front cover of a popular crochet magazine. That was a big wow moment for me and something I'll never forget - it was amazing. I also love my Freeze Pop Cozy Pattern collection - being an Australian and having Zooper Doopers ice blocks, you need a cute cozy for them to keep your hands from freezing!

8. Who are your biggest artistic inspirations and why?

My Nana and my mum are first and foremost my inspirations. My mum works her magic in sewing and embroidery, scrapbooking and on the Cricut machine, and she crochets here and there. I have watched my nan and mum doing crafty things all my life and was always inspired by their crafts and talents and what they could do. I didn't pick up crocheting or crafting until later on in life - I was a late bloomer but haven't looked back since.

9. Do you have a single piece of advice you'd give to your younger self or someone looking to pursue a similar line of work?

My advice would be - there is nothing you can't do. If you want to do something or learn something new, you will do it. The key is to never give up when it gets hard and be kind to yourself when finding your way - not everything is going to be perfect all the time! Most of my projects ended up in the naughty corner for a bit before they saw the light of day while teaching myself to crochet, and the same for my patterns when I'm designing them. There will be lots of blood, sweat and tears going into your learning, designing, or creating, and if you just crochet for the fun of it there will still be frustrating days. The key to it is that practice makes perfect and to keep going and be patient with it - you will get to where you want to be. 'I can do this' is my motto.

Find Fallon here:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/teacup_crochet_designs

Facebook: www.facebook.com/teacupcrochetdesigns

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/TeaCupCrochetDesigns

Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/stores/teacup-crochet-designs-designs

Website: www.teacupcrochetdesigns85.com