We recently connected with Urian Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Urian, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned from a wonderful and patient woman named June back in March 2014. She encouraged and made me repeat things over and over, something for which I am eternally thankful, because crochet is repetition. Classes with Ms. June was only 12 weeks long, so after that I relied on YouTube or any books I could find. Or, if I ran into fellow crochet enthusiasts, I would ask them to teach me something they know.

I feel like my learning process was quite expeditious. About six months after I started learning, I was commissioned to make a few pieces. I curious to know as much about crocheting as I could. I

For me, this skills that are essential to crocheting is patience, dexterity, and endurance. You have to understand that it will take some time getting used to it. Each person must find what I like to call his/her own leverage and rhythm. The beautiful thing about crochet is that you can see your progress within a project. It’s very encouraging.

Self-doubt is a killer. Many times, I would learn a new project and automatically say it’s too complicated or it takes too many hours. Those projects are very doable and it is ok to break it up into parts. Not every project has to be worked straight through. Also, be ok with the project turning out to be a failure. Those hours were not in vain. You’ve earned experience points, for sure.

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?

Crochet, for me, started as a hobby. It was never meant to be a business. I just wanted to learn something different and just create. So many people would be impressed that they would make requests. For years, people would make requests via social media or get my phone number from a happy customer. During the Fall and Winter months, i would fulfill so many orders, that I was gaining experience so quickly. I began adding desigs, different colors and mixed stitching and patterns to my projects.

Often times, wearing my own creations would spark conversation, which would lead to another follower and happy customer. A friend of mine started his own clothing brand and opened a boutique in downtown Newark, NJ and I became a consigner with the company. I would craft a number of projects and to my surprise, they would sell out.

On my 10th anniversary of crochet, and after so much encouragement, I finally started CrochetbyUri. When my official logo came, I couldn’t believe how real it was all becoming. I launched a whole new line of winter accessories: handwarmers, scarves, hats, headhands, and leg warmers.

My clients are my main driving force behind my creativity; they help me to branch out and try new projects. From a poncho, to shorts, to a cardigan, clients have pushed me to a new level in my crochet game. One of my favorite memories is when a client of mine took me to a NY Artisanal fabric & yarn shop and exposed me to higher quality materials. My proudest moment in by business so far was when I was contracted to be a crochet instructor for a senior community home. The intergenerational stories and experiences that were shared while I had a chance to pass up a favorite hobby to my elders engendered a feeling like no other.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

One goal I would love to see fulfilled is a national program where crochet/knitting group band together and teach pediatric cancer patients how to crochet, but at the end of each program donate an abundance of hats for them to enjoy, espeically the character hats!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

It doesn’t have to be the best, you just need to do your best! Just because you don’t think it fits the standard of someone’s fashion magazine, doesn’t mean that it won’t catch someone’s eye. Respect that people have different tastes, even from you, the creator.

I had this piece I created and although I was proud of it, I knew it wasn’t the best thing. I recognized my flaws and took note on what to do better next attempt. In hosting some people over, the pieced I had lying around caught the eye of one of the guests and immediately offered a lot of money to purchase it, much more than I would have even considered. I learned that I will display my pieces and someone will bite the bait. Remember, patience is essential.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @crochetbyUri

Image Credits

I have the rights to these images. Urian Smith