Jennifer Williams - I like to go by Jenn
Location: Crittenden - a small town in northern Kentucky. I grew
up here, lived in California for 30 years, and have returned to my roots for
retirement.
How many
years crocheting and/or how did you learn to crochet:
I've been
crocheting, with varying intensities, for about 45 years.
My grandmother
taught me to crochet, and my interest was rekindled in the 8th grade by a
teacher who taught us after school. My grandmother crocheted beautiful
doilies, and I proudly display many of them in my home. I also remember a
hideous scarf that we worked on together. It was about 8 feet long,
maroon, with horizontal stripes of white, red, teal, and yellow.
In school, I
distinctly remember a few crochet projects. One was a neon green acrylic
bikini, and another was a very large (and heavy) purple cotton mouse pillow.
In college, I
completed an Annie's afghan kit, which my parents use to this day.
Do you
crochet with your left hand or right hand and how do you hold your
hook:
I
crochet right-handed, with a knife hold. I don't remember this being a
choice, it's just what I've always done.
What is your
favorite hook:
When working
with worsted weight yarn, I prefer an H or I Boye hook. I've become quite
fond of the clay grips, and usually have a hook grip design from Day by Day
Crochet in my hand.
What is your
favorite yarn:
I suppose as
our experience grows, our taste evolves. Since I've begun creating
garments, a dk weight is my favorite. It has a nice drape. I enjoy
alpaca, and any interesting mixes - silk, bamboo, linen, hemp, etc. My
new home has a lot of heat and humidity, so open designs in lighter fibers are
a new interest.
What is your
favorite crochet stitch, and why:
The
most intriguing stitch to me right now is a cable stitch. I find it to be
more challenging. For me, crochet patterns and stitches are like puzzles,
and a complex cable stitch is a great brain teaser.
Do you prefer
a written pattern, a chart, or both, and why:
I have
always had a knack for reading patterns. I've taken classes in chart
reading, and can do it, but prefer to use the chart as confirmation, or as a
backup in case I get stuck. I don't like following videos to make projects.
I like puzzling it out for myself, and also controlling my own pace.
To me, following a pattern is like reading the book, and the video is
watching the movie.
What is your
favorite item to make and why:
Creating
a crocheted garment has always been my ultimate goal. Once I found the
Get Squared program, created by Jenny King, I've been able to have great
success creating garments. I also enjoy shawls because of the interesting
patterns and possibilities, as well as their versatility. Shawls can be
draped over a chair, incorporated in an outfit, wrapped around the waist or
head, used as a robe (at home or traveling), one size fits all, and they are a
welcome gift.
Who do you
crochet for? Yourself,
family, friends, pets, charities?
At the risk of
being called a "selfish crocheter," I have to say that I
crochet for myself. I've made hats and sweaters for new babies, an afghan
for a friend's wedding, shawls and slippers for friends. But there is
always the fear of being crushed by a recipient who won't like the item, or
won't use it.
Have you ever
participated in a yarn bombing?
At one time, I
began yarn bombing an adult tricycle with an attached "trunk," called
The Crochet Bike. I taught crochet out of the trunk, and could also ride
the bike around. I've used The Crochet Bike when demonstrating at
Michael's, and also at The Maker Faire.
How long have
you been a CGOA member, and what is a fond memory from a CGOA
Conference that you’ve attended?
I've belonged to the CGOA
for 6 years. Stitches West was near my home in California, but I wept
tears of joy when I discovered the CGOA annual meeting. I've attended
2015 in San Diego, as well as 2016 in Charleston, and am looking forward to
Chicago in 2017! My favorite memory was participating in the fashion show
in 2015 modeling my Get Squared cardigan, and hearing ahhs from the audience
when it was revealed that I made the cardigan in one weekend.
Do you belong
to a local CGOA chapter in your area?
There isn't a
CGOA chapter in Northern Kentucky where I live, and one of my goals is to
change that by starting a group.
What are your
crochet goals for the future:
I believe that
we all have a "crochet calling," an area that ignites our passion.
Mine happens to be teaching. I have no children, and I believe that
my legacy - the evidence that I have walked this earth and that it is different
for my time here - is to pass along the skill of crochet to others. I've
taught at Michael's for 5 years, and am looking forward to teaching classes on
Get Squared for Jenny King.
Any crochet
tips that you would like to share:
From my years
of teaching, I've developed some tips and tricks...
- Large Bobby pins make good stitch markers, and are easy to reposition.
- Dental floss containers are fine yarn cutters when traveling.
- Print out the TSA regulations for hobbies and carry them with you.
- Photocopy patterns from books and magazines for portability and so that you can mark on them.
- Bags that hold produce at the grocery become good yarn carriers and dispensers. Choose the crinkly bags with a zipper top and holes for ventilation (contain mini bell peppers, cherries, grapes, etc), wash and air dry. Zip your cake of yarn into the bag, using the ventilation hole for dispensing.
Do you have
any other favorite past times, interests, sports, or crafts you enjoy
doing?
I
invite my parents, Hazel (87) and Leo (88) to dinner once a week. It's a
chance for me to try new recipes, be creative, use some of my nice things, and
to honor them.
I enjoy
crafty things, like coloring, cold process soap making, creating bath salt
mixtures, and decorating.
Anything you
would like to share, not covered above?
In addition to my
parents, my supportive boyfriend Tim lives nearby. I retired this year
from my career as a sales trainer for a biotech company, and couldn't be
happier with my new life.
Here's a really short, easy
recipe:
Pumpkins spice bars
Mix together 1 box of spice
cake mix and 1 can (15 oz) of pure pumpkin. Pour into a greased pan and
bake at 325-350 for 20-25 minutes.
Thank you for sharing with us Jenny, it's been fun "getting to know you"!
Have a great day!
Carolyn
Carolyn
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