Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dee w/ DeeplusDesigns . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Dee w/ DeeplusDesigns thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned how to crochet by attending YouTube University. haha. Years ago, I had a friend who had recently got into the craft and it intrigued me as it reminded me of yarn projects I use to do when I was in elementary school.

I learned the basics from watching videos online and I let my imagination and creativity take over from there. I enjoy a challenge and view most things as puzzles, so once I learned single, half, and double crochet along with the basics on how to create a hat and scarf, I shifted to making projects up as I went along. As a result, I had an abundance of unsuccessful, crooked, poorly executed, and unfinished work for the first few projects. As a matter of fact, I could not crochet past a single chain for the first month or so because I was pulling my yarn too tight. It would have been “easier” if I continued to watch videos from others but as I mentioned, I enjoyed the process and did not want to rely on patterns to execute what I was trying to create. I like to travel and crochet on the go (e.g., while skating) and felt it would be difficult to do this while keeping up with written instructions.

In learning how to crochet, and anything really, I believe the most essential skill is a willingness to be really bad at it first with the knowledge that remaining consistent and invested, you will improve with time.

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 background and context?

Sure! So I’m Dee with DeeplusDesigns! I’m a crochet artist, instructor and skater! When not crocheting, I am an avid gardener, prayer warrior, and of course, rollerskater!

When I first transitioned into crocheting as a business, I accepted custom orders of any and everything my customers could think of. Nowadays, I have found my niche and focus on creating custom crochet portraits!

Not only am I a crochet instructor, but I am a certified special educator. THYS background adds to my ability to adapt my teaching style to a wide range of students of varying abilities. I’ve had students as young as 3 and as wise as 90 and have taught in common places like schools and colleges and more unique classrooms like trains, airplanes, and even boats! I teach in international conferences throughout the year and also provide one-on-one lessons.

In addition to classes and custom portraits, I also offer 3 types of HeartPlus Services. These services include requests for Recreation (e.g., duplication of a blanket you had as an infant that you’d like your newborn to have as well), Restoration (e.g., repairing/updating a hole in a crocheted stuff animal given to you by a loved one), and Completion (e.g., finishing a crocheted project that someone may not have been able to complete on their own). Each of these services were inspired by real life events and requests. Summaries of each may be found on my website!

On an annual basis, we (crocheters, knitters, and additional individuals) create hats and scarves to donate to the homeless. Then, on the 3rd Saturday in January, we meet for “Day Of Crochet” for live lessons, to hear from the organizations we served, and to review our final count! Day Of Crochet receives donations from across the country and even overseas every year! Free patterns are available for fiber artists and storebought items are accepted as well!

Lastly, I have deesigned a variety of resources such as project journals, order books, notebooks, and temperature calendars as well as creating hoodies, mugs, and tumblers!

Check out my website (deeplusdesignsllc.com) and/or hashtags such as #deeplusdesigns, #croskater, #crochetingwhile and #wakepraycrochet to get connected!

Wait!! I can’t forget rollerskating!! What does that have to do with crocheting??… Nothing. lol But also, everything! Crocheting is a sedentary sport and I am a very energetic person! haha My least favorite part about crocheting is how certain projects require you to just remain seated. I decided early that staying seated all day would not work for me and that I needed to find ways to still move and be present while enjoying the craft. THYS is where #crochetingwhile came from! The goal is to share that you can still be on the move WHILE crocheting. It doesn’t have to be as extreme as skating or swimming but can be as simple as walking. :)

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

THYS question is simple! The absolute most rewarding aspect of being an artist & instructor is the response of my customers! Portrait requests are emotional for both myself and the recipient and are often accompanied by tears.

As an instructor, my absolute favorite is when the lightbulb comes on and my student makes progress! Their excitement feeds my excitement and vice versa! It’s always so great to see people go from “I have tried THYS before and can’t do it” to “look what I did! I can’t believe it.” It’s beautiful to be a part of.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Knitting Machines!! Like, what?! Haha. I didn’t know these existed until about a year or so ago. They are such a great resource for an artist like me who does not know how to knit. In my Let’s Crochet Together series on YouTube, I shared videos of Live lessons where I learned how to navigate the machine and have since taught classes on incorporating it as well. There is definitely a learning curve involved but I have appreciated having it in my fiber artist toolbox. haha

Contact Info:

• Website: deeplusdesignsllc.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/deeplusdesigns
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deeplusdesignsllc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DeeplusDesignsLLC
• Other: https://linktr.ee/deeplusdesigns

Image Credits
Crochet Portrait Examples Crocheted Clothes by Me/Learn to Crochet and make your own!