We recently connected with Ankita Palit and have shared our conversation below.

Ankita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have been knitting and crocheting since childhood. It feels like it’s something that is part of my life. I learnt this art from my mother. Growing up it faded away with giving priority to studies, job and other things in life.

After my marriage and moving to a new country, the USA, I had to leave my job. Life changed drastically from being a full time job earner to a homemaker. So, it was my hubby who suggested I should be doing the things I love to overcome my boredom.

So, once again I picked the hook and since then I have been Crocheting. At that time I learnt the art of amigurumi and have been in love with it. Slowly I learnt how I can design my own amigurumi. Practicing and learning new things became my everyday interest.

My sister suggested that I go beyond crocheting as a hobby and rather take it seriously to the next level. I kept on pondering over the idea and that’s how I started my YouTube Channel.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Ankita, the face behind ToyGurumi. I started ToyGurumi 4 years back in 2020, December the same month of my Birthday. I want to share the meaning behind the name ToyGurumi. My love for toys and passion for crochet or mostly amigurumis made me come up with the name “ToyGurumi”. “Love for Toys and Passion for Crochet” defines ToyGurumi and thus makes it my happy place.

Starting a YouTube Channel was always in my mind but with family responsibilities I was just delaying it. With Covid hitting at that particular year and being stuck at home. It was really a depressing time for most of us. Also, my little one was old enough so it was a good time for me to steal some fragments of time for myself and that’s when I started working on my first video tutorial for ToyGurumi. YouTube was not easy for me. The journey of reaching the first 1000 subscribers is still close to my heart. I still remember the Solar System Playmat that I designed for my kid and how it outshined. It was loved by all which kept me motivated to make more videos and continue walking forward on this journey.

Since then I have been working on it and posting a video tutorial every week. I have designed so many amigurumis from different series which includes Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Wednesday, Coraline, Christmas Nativity Set and many more. They all are a video tutorial available for free on my YouTube channel. I try to design different patterns for a variety of audiences which include beginner friendly to advanced levels of amigurumi.

I have also worked on the written patterns for some of my designs which are available on my Ravelry Store. Being a full time Mom to two boys it sometimes becomes difficult to work on everything and that’s why all my patterns are not yet available in written format. Though I am trying my best to get it done.

My vision for ToyGurumi is to provide quality content to my audience which would include all their favorite characters. I wish to publish an amigurumi book of my patterns. I also aim at having amigurumi crochet kits available for beginners and crochet enthusiasts. I am just waiting for the right time to strike.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My biggest motivator is my kid. I started designing amigurumis just for him. I make them in a way he could play and increase his imagination because when kids are happy you get all the motivation in life.

Along with that the blessings coming from my audience gives me all the energy to keep going. I really feel happy and glad seeing their cute amigurumis made using my patterns.
With all the suggestions and requests from people for different characters keeps me thinking of turning those characters into amigurumis and it takes my imagination to next levels keeping my motivation active all the time.

I am really thankful for such a supportive family, especially my husband who just motivates and lets me do whatever makes me happy.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

According to me I think everyone has got some hidden creativity in themself which just needs to be explored. I don’t segregate people as creatives or non creatives. Some people can easily find their gem but others might take time. Nothing is impossible. The word impossible itself says “I’m Possible” and it reminds me of my childhood as I have always loved this quote.

Taking that first step is always scary but going forward in that journey gives immense joy. I still remember the day how I started recording my first video with all the nervousness and here I am now with such a great YouTube community which makes me proud of myself. Anyone can pursue their goal with self belief and consistency. The climb is tough but the view from top is worth it.

My mantra is to believe in yourself, be consistent and do quality work.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/toygurumi
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/toygurumi
• Other: https://ravelry.com/people/toygurumi