Designer Spotlight: Roxann

This week's Designer Spotlight features a super talented crochet artist who finds inspiring ways to give back with her crochet. Roxann is the designer behind Crochet Rox. She designs a variety of patterns, ranging from blankets to clothing to toys, and has had her designs featured in fashion shows and on television. So take a look at some of her work, read more about Roxann's crochet story, and learn about a wonderful nonprofit organization she works with.  

​How long have you been crocheting?  
I have been crocheting for 38 years.  I learned when I was 9.
 
How did you learn to crochet? 
I used to spend a lot of time with my Aunt when I was little. She was very crafty and she could sew, knit, crochet and she did the most beautiful tatting. I would always sit beside her and watch and I tried to copy everything she did. I failed pretty badly at knitting, but when I picked up that hook, it was different. It seemed that my hands just knew what to do instinctively. I’ve always said that crocheting is a God given gift, but Aunt Joyce taught me how to unwrap it.  

Star Light JL Blanket

What’s something you wish you had known when you’d first started crocheting?
I wish I hadn’t waited so long to learn to read patterns. Everything I made in the first 25 years was freeform. I would see something I wanted to make, and I would just make it. I don’t think I saw a crochet pattern book or magazine until I was in my 30’s. Now I’m designing my own.
 
What is your favorite thing about crocheting?
I love taking some string and a hook and making something useful or decorative with it. It’s magical to look at a skein of yarn, and know it will become a hat or a sweater or maybe even a doll. I also love that it brings people together. I have met some of the most talented, wonderful people through our mutual love of crochet and consider many of them to be my best friends. 

Is there a certain type of pattern you love to design the most?  Why?
I love designing hats. I work with a nonprofit organization called Ellie’s Hats for kids battling childhood cancer. These brave kids are going through the worst thing you can imagine, yet their smiles shine so bright when they get their packages with their hats. I have had showcases of my designs in several fashion shows with Victoria Henley of Americas Next Top Model, and she has also featured my work in magazines and on television. It’s a thrill for sure to see someone famous wearing one of my designs, but it pales in comparison to getting pictures like this one of Ellie herself in the tiara I designed for her to wear to her last day of treatment.  

Ellie in her Princess Tiara

When you’re creating new designs, is there something that inspires you? What’s your muse? 
The children that are affiliated with Ellie’s Hats (EH) inspire me the most. EH is an amazing organization that provides support to these brave little warriors and their families. They distribute hats, gift cards, and so much more to assist the families as they fight this terrible disease. The founder Jay Coakley and his sister Muffin Pellegrino have become dear friends.  They are so selfless and giving. You can read more about them at www.ellieshats.org or on their Facebook page.

Hats made by Roxann for Ellie's Hats

What do you think is the most challenging aspect of designing?            
For me the most challenging part of designing is writing the patterns. I know exactly how to do the stitches to make it look like my vision, but actually having to type it up so that other people understand what I mean can be tough at times. I’m blessed to have the most amazing pattern testers that help to make sense of my gibberish though. I could not write my patterns without them.  They are my Insane Crochet Posse, and I adore them.   

I’m sure it’s impossible to pick just one, but is there one project that you’re particularly proud of? 
The tiara that I designed for Ellie is my favorite original design.  I released it as a free pattern in my Ravelry shop and it’s my most popular download. I think my Grembly Gunk Sloth hat I made in tribute to The Walking Dead’s character Eugene Porter would have to be my 2nd favorite. I was a giggly fan girl when I saw that the actor that portrays him, Josh McDermott liked it on Instagram.

Grembly Gunk Hat

What advice would you pass along to other crocheters?
Support your fellow crocheters and their contributions. What we do is create art, and it’s important that we stick together and support each other. Too often in the fiber art world I see people that don’t value how much hard work is put into designing original patterns, and then share these patterns free online thinking it’s no big deal. I see people complain that no one wants to pay them a fair price for their crocheted work, but then turn around and complain about paying $5 for a crochet pattern. Most importantly, don’t give up. Crocheting can be the best therapy. Share your gifts with others. Teach a child to crochet, donate a hat to a homeless person, or make some cotton blankets to donate to an animal shelter.   

Thank you for sharing your crochet story with us, Roxann! If you'd like to see more of Roxann's work, you can find her on Ravelry, on Etsy, and on Facebook. I hope you all enjoyed this interview and that you feel inspired to make something new today; maybe you will even consider giving back with your crochet like Roxann. Happy hooking!