In this series of Behind the Stitches, crochet and knit designers are sharing their insights and experiences with us, offering a unique glimpse into their creative processes, inspirations, and personal journeys in the world of crochet and knitting.
Come and join me as I delve into the stories behind the stitches and discover what makes these designers truly exceptional.
In my hot seat today, I’m delighted to be welcoming Raffaella Tassoni from Raffamusa Designs.
Raffaella is a talented crochet designer known for colourful granny squares and tapestry crochet potholders.
I am excited to share with you her insights, experiences, and creative journey.
Meet the Crochet Designer Raffaella Tassoni from Raffamusa Designs
Welcome to my hot seat, Raffaella! I’m thrilled to have you here today to share your journey and insights as a crochet designer.
- Can you share with us how got started with crochet?
I started crocheting about 7 years ago during a very stressful time of my life. It was at the end of my Ph.D., when I was so busy finishing up that I barely had time to sleep. Well, instead of sleeping I bought a crochet hook and started crocheting by looking at the little guide that came with the hook. Of course, this happened during the only free time I had, which was more or less between 11 p.m. and 2 or 3 at night. You can very well imagine that my sleep hours reached an historical low but I did learn to crochet!
(I’m sure your crocheting helped with the stress at a deeper level – although not your sleep pattern)
- What inspired you to become a crochet designer Raffaella?
For that, I’ll have to blame my inability to stick to written instructions and this weird assumption that I had when I started crocheting. Basically, I was convinced that nobody followed patterns. In my mind, every crocheter just started crocheting and improvised how to do things, which is what I did mostly. But after the first few projects, I started taking notes of what I did, mostly because I was crocheting hats for my nieces and I had to make two or three of the same type. Luckily, after a while, I discovered blogs and the existence of written patterns, precise stitch counts, and everything, and slowly learned how to turn my notes into actual crochet patterns.
- Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
That’s a difficult question. I’m not the kind of crocheter who draws inspiration from nature, or fashion, or other things. When I’m in nature, I’m usually hiking somewhere in the mountains or in the woods, sweating a lot, and trying my best to keep up with my husband and my dog. So, that’s not a very inspiring moment crochet-wise. So, I guess that it’s not “something” that inspires me. I’d say that it’s really just the act of crocheting that makes me want to create more and more. And then ideas follow!
- What are your favourite crochet techniques?
When I really want to relax, I crochet a large project using a simple crochet stitch or Tunisian crochet. Normally, a blanket or a scarf. That way I can really switch off and enjoy my “yarn time”.
- Do you have a preferred type of yarn or hook brand you use?
I don’t have a favourite yarn brand but I definitely have a sweet spot for cotton yarn. From soft blends of cotton and acrylic to the scratchiest of cottons, I just love it. Recently, I also discovered cotton/Merino wool blends. Those are pure joy!
- Can you share any tips for mastering complex stitches?
When I get stuck on a complex stitch, I usually put down my hook for a day or two, get some sleep or fresh air. Most of the times, when I get back to the project, I can just crochet that stitch without frogging my soul!
(if you haven’t heard the term ‘frogging’ before, Raffaella means unpicking the work she’s already done)
- How do you decide on the materials for your projects?
I usually start with an idea and then go to my stash to see if I can find the right yarn. I like when the yarn adds a different twist to the original plan, makes it more unique, textured, colourful, etc.
(I do the same but often, having swatched with different stitches, I go with another idea entirely, how about you?)
- We would all love to know Raffaella … what’s your favourite piece you’ve designed?
It is very difficult to choose, but if I have to, I’d say the Halloween and the Christmas granny square collections.
I’m not sure if those are the most beautiful designs I ever made but they are very dear to me because of all the memories they bring back.
I crocheted both granny square collections on the train during my 1-hour commute to and back from work. My backpack was a sort of craft station with all of the yarn, hooks, needle, and stitch markers.
I’d crochet on the train and write the patterns at night to share with my e-mail list.
In all that, I think that my biggest achievement was to only lose a stitch marker and a 3.0 mm hook on the way! It was a simple steel hook, so no tears were shed.
(fabulous example of just how portable granny squares can be – thank you)
- How do you go about creating a new design from scratch?
I draw a lot. Nothing beautiful or too accurate, but I usually start by making a sketch of the project. After the sketch, I also make a small swatch to get an idea of the number of stitches I need and get an idea of what the final result could look like. After that, I start crocheting for real, which means that no matter how much I planned ahead, there will always be quite some frogging involved!
- Do you have any tips for dealing with creative blocks for my readers?
Lists! I’m a “list” person and I have ongoing lists everywhere, both on paper and on my phone. So, if I ever find myself wondering what to crochet next, I can simply grab one of my lists and pick my next project!
- How did you turn your crochet hobby into a business Raffaella?
Definitely the blog! I started my blog very early in my crochet journey. I think I had only been crocheting for less than a year when I opened raffamusadesgins.com. Of course, I didn’t know what I was doing and it wasn’t entirely clear to me that a blog could become a business. However, little by little, I started growing the blog and my e-mail list, and most importantly, I started creating PDF versions of my patterns. Now, I sell my PDF patterns on Ravelry, Etsy, and Lovecrafts.
- What’s your preference, creating written patterns or video tutorials?
I feel more comfortable creating written patterns accompanied by photo tutorials. However, I do know that videos are essential for visual learners and being able to help crocheters in different ways makes me feel like I’m moving in the right direction. So, even though the process of making a video is very time-consuming, I try and create one from time to time.
- Do you organise crochet-alongs (CALs) or other community events? If so, how can crocheters sign up to take part?
I love crochet alongs! Back when I was starting, I took part in a few of them, and organized my first CAL shortly after I started my blog. Now, I usually organize one or two CALs each year. Sometimes, they’re completely free to follow on the blog, other times, they’re cheap but paid, and I run them on Ravelry. The best way to stay up to date about coming CALs is to sign up to my e-mail list here.
- How do you promote your work?
My favourite promotion channels are my e-mail list and Pinterest . My e-mail list is not huge and it doesn’t exactly work for reaching new people, unless these new people stumble on my blog and decide to subscribe to my news. So, I know that I do have to promote on more classic social media. Of all the social media, Pinterest is where I feel more comfortable sharing, even though Pinterest is the least “social” of all socials…
(Go show Raffaella some love and subscribe to her list)
- What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own crochet business?
Just start! Whether you want to start a blog or an Etsy shop, the best way to succeed is to actually make that first step and start experimenting with what works for you. Just because you see other people having a lot of success on Instagram or on YouTube, that doesn’t mean that your business has to be the same. Try different things, find the one where you feel the most comfortable and expand from there.
- What do you do when you’re not crocheting?
My first craft passion as a kid was cross stitching. Nowadays, I do not get to do it a lot but I still love it! I also sew (kind of badly) and sometimes crank out my knitting needles (even though I’m such a slow knitter!). Outside of the yarn/craft world, my biggest passion is definitely cooking. Or should I say eating? Well, the two are very closely connected.
- Do you have any funny or memorable crochet-related stories to share?
I guess it’s nothing memorable or funny but it’s the story of my first-ever crochet project! It started with a 6-mm hook and a very colorful, cheap yarn that I got at a local craft store. I thought, I’m going to make a scarf – easy-peasy! Well, it took me 3 attempts to make a scarf. And with 3 attempts I mean that I made scarf number 1, didn’t like it, frogged it. Crocheted another scarf, same story, frogged it. Finally, attempt number 3 was the good one. I still wear that scarf almost every day remembering all the stitching and frogging on loop. Who knew that frogging would be my sweetest memory!
- What’s the one crochet project you’ve always wanted to make but haven’t yet?
I’ve been wanting to crochet a hexagon cardigan forever but still haven’t come around to doing it. Maybe next Winter?!
- What impact has crochet had on your life?
All my life, I’ve always been kind of restless with my hands. Even when I was in school or watching TV at night, I would constantly be shredding paper, making Scooby-does (the ancestors of macramé), gluing things around, drawing, embroidering, modelling clay, cross stitching… Since I learnt to crochet, I finally feel like I found some peace. I still move my hands a lot but I feel like there is a purpose to it.
Thank you for sharing with us today Raffaella.
Crochet Designer Bio
Raffaella is the biochemist and crafter behind Raffamusa Designs.
She discovered crochet as a way to relax during the final year of her studies toward a PhD and hasn’t stopped crafting since.
Over at raffamusadesigns.com, you can explore a colourful world made of yarn. From unique and practical projects for the home décor – especially for the kitchen – to fun granny squares, Amigurumi, and accessories, you’ll find the right idea for your next project!
