We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Milagro Baines a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Milagro, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I first learned to crochet from what I affectionately call “YouTube University.”

Knowing what I know now, I would have started with the very basics of crochet. When I first got into the craft, I jumped headfirst into a project—a hat, if I recall correctly—without fully mastering the fundamentals. At the time, I had decided to focus solely on crochet for a month to give my mind some stability. However, I struggled with tension (and sometimes still do) and with truly understanding the work my hands were creating. Because I focused only on the finished product rather than mastering the stitches, I often had to redo my work. It was a humbling experience, and one that taught me the importance of embracing the learning journey.

The most essential skill in my development as an artist was the ability to stay focused on my original purpose for crocheting, which was to heal and relax. At first, I didn’t fully grasp this, but as I created that initial hat, I realized I needed crochet to remind me of the joy and happiness that can come from creating something with my hands.

One obstacle was my work ethic, particularly how it was shaped by my corporate life. I had been operating from a place of comfort, which allowed me to be a high producer with excellent results. However, this also made me forget what it was like to truly learn something new. I was hard on myself when my crochet projects didn’t turn out perfect on the first try. Now that I’ve reconnected with the reason I started crocheting in the first place, the stress around perfection has significantly reduced.

Milagro, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I believe the fiber world found me, like a giant claw from a video game, picking me up and dropping me in the best place on earth. I started crocheting almost four years ago during the pandemic. After losing my grandmother at the beginning of that year, I was searching for a sense of comfort, and nothing feels cozier than working with yarn. Through my brand, Soft-Spun Creations, I use crochet to express my creativity, bringing fashion to life in a way that resonates with the world.

What sets my brand apart is the personal touch I bring to every piece. Each item I create is born from a space of wonder and happiness. When you engage with Soft-Spun Creations, I want to transfer that light from me to you. Whether it’s a soft, plush blanket or a hat that makes you look in the mirror and say, “Yep, that’s the one,” my goal is to make you feel just a little bit better.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to use ingenuity, creativity, and practice to create something that resonates with people on an emotional level. There’s nothing I love more than hearing someone say they’re “not a hat person,” only to see them light up with confidence and a new sense of self after trying on one of my hats. When I catch them taking a second look in the mirror or snapping selfies, I revel in that moment. It fills me with joy and fuels my creative motivation.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I believe society can best support artists and a thriving creative ecosystem in three key ways:

Financial Investment: Society needs to invest actual dollars and cents into the arts. It’s essential to look at the balance sheet and recognize the value that art and creativity bring—not just culturally, but economically. People travel the world to experience art in all its forms, yet it’s often one of the first areas to face budget cuts. This leaves artists and creatives to bear the burden of educating society while being underpaid. Financial investment is crucial to sustaining the arts.

Creating Physical Spaces: There needs to be a deliberate effort to carve out affordable physical spaces for artists and creatives. The challenge of securing space to work and showcase art is ongoing, and it shouldn’t be. It’s remarkable how much society benefits from art and creativity, yet there’s a reluctance to allocate space for it. Providing accessible and affordable spaces is essential for nurturing the creative community.

Amplifying Artists’ Voices: Society often enjoys hearing from artists, but only when the message is comfortable. When artists speak out on topics that challenge the status quo, their voices are often stifled. Instead, society should be amplifying these voices, especially at the local level. Supporting and promoting the voices of artists in your community ensures that they are heard, valued, and able to contribute to the broader cultural conversation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://softspuncreations.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softspuncreations