Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sharon Webber. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sharon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?
Growing up, I loved seeing the crochet dresses my mom used to make for me and my sisters’ cabbage patch kids. I think that is where my passion for making and designing clothes began.
In my early years, I sewed clothes for myself using my grandmother’s manual sewing machine. When I got older and could afford it, I bought an electric sewing machine and started making clothes for small local stage performers and selling custom-made outfits in my free time.
Life got in the way when I moved to the Middle East for work, and I had to put aside my love for sewing and designing. After a few years of living in Dubai, I wanted a new hobby so I randomly picked up knitting needles and yarn from a craft store, then watched “how to knit” videos online. I had no clue how to knit! While it was enjoyable, I compared knitting to crocheting and realized that crocheting could offer a more intuitive approach to shaping garments. So, I shifted my focus to crochet and searched “how to crochet” videos instead. I had no clue how to crochet!
After many videos and practice, I thought maybe I could sell some of my work. However, selling crochet sweaters and hats in the hot and humid Middle East is like selling ice to Eskimos! haha…Then it hit me. Dubai’s beautiful beaches inspired me to create something completely new in my sphere of crocheting and that was to sell Crochet Bikinis and Swimwear. Back in 2013, there weren’t many crochet bikinis or swimsuits in the market, especially the made-to-order kinds. Things took off, and I left my job to crochet full-time.
In 2017, baby number 1 arrived, and managing the crochet business alone became a challenge. Despite trying to source manufacturers overseas the quality didn’t match. So, I shifted gears and decided to sell digital crochet patterns instead.
Three years later, we moved to Washington State and I thought, well I guess now I CAN include winter wear? I also expanded my website to offer crochet tutorials and videos as a resource for anyone wanting to learn how to crochet.
Despite the changes and challenges, adapting to digital patterns and expanding into winter wear kept my passion alive, and it’s definitely been quite an adventure.
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?
The Knotty Lace offers not only digital crochet patterns but specializes in all things crochet swimwear and Summer wear. We also offer helpful crochet articles and video tutorials that include useful information, tips, and ideas on all things yarn and hook-related. Our blog also includes step-by-step guides on helping beginners learn how to crochet correctly and understand pattern-making.
I am most proud of myself for learning what I know today from scratch and being able to help others in their crochet endeavor. When someone tells me that one of my videos or articles has helped them in any way, it makes me feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and fulfillment, knowing that the time and effort I’ve invested have genuinely made a positive impact on them. It’s a humbling reminder of the power of shared knowledge and the joy that comes from contributing to the well-being of others.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a crochet artist, besides being my own boss, is the freedom it gives me to bring my creative visions to life. Having the ability to turn an idea into a tangible, beautiful creation is incredibly fulfilling.
Equally rewarding is the feeling of accomplishment when my crochet pieces resonate with others. Whether it’s sharing helpful tutorials or crochet patterns online, the positive feedback and knowing that my work brings joy to someone else’s life are truly heartwarming. The ability to help and inspire others through my craft and my website as a channel adds a meaningful layer to the joy of being a crochet artist, making the journey all the more fulfilling.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
When I created my first crochet bikini, I decided to test it to make sure it was sturdy. So, I wore it in the shower to see how it would handle water and stretching. To my surprise, everything went well! The colors stayed bright, and there was no sagging or stretching. It turned out to be a successful experiment, and that’s pretty much how my journey into crochet began.
Contact Info:
- Website: theknottylace.com
- Instagram: @theknottylace
- Facebook: @theknottylace
- Twitter: @theknottylace
- Youtube: /c/theknottylace