Sustainable fashion
handmade by yours truly
I just launched my first collection of sustainable modern crochet clutches, purses, and market bags, and could not be more excited! I’m thrilled to share them with you and wanted to talk a bit about how I even got here, so keep reading if this piqued your interest.
What started this passion?
A few months into the pandemic, I had stumbled upon modern crochet designs from Teresa @debrosse_nyc on Instagram. I knew very little about crochet, but I absolutely never associated crochet with modern design and home decor. So naturally, I went down the internet rabbit hole and decided it was something I wanted to learn. I am one of those annoying people who really thrived during the pandemic working from home, which in turn fueled my creativity.
This was the crochet pattern that inspired it all!
Starting a new hobby does not need to be expensive.
I knew that I did not want to spend a lot of money beginning a new hobby that I might not enjoy. So, I decided to put out an “ask” on my neighborhood Facebook “buy nothing group”. Shockingly, one of my neighbors was kind enough to gift me over 10 different crochet hook sizes and 2 skeins of yarn to get started. I also needed some stitch markers, so I went to my local secondhand craft store in Northern Virginia and found exactly what I needed. And just like that, I started a new hobby for under $10.
So…how did it go at first?
I signed up for a $5 yearly membership to Craftsy and took all the beginner crochet classes. Within a week I was making the typical scarf and hats that everyone starts out with. Then I got overly confident and ventured out to try to make socks from a Youtube tutorial…let me show you how that went.
I made a sock that was larger than my head.
Seriously…I knew it felt “off” but I kept going just to finish the pattern, and I’m still laughing about it!
So then what?
I immediately switched from making wearable items to market bags, and I couldn’t stop! I was obsessed with trying different patterns and styles (all with the wrong yarn, so they stretched out like you wouldn’t believe. Another hilarious fail).
I somehow stumbled upon raffia yarn, and that got the wheels turning. I started to think that I could possibly combine my passion for sustainability with my new passion for crochet.
What is raffia yarn?
Raffia is biodegradable, vegan, and 100% paper (also making it recyclable), yet incredibly durable when crocheted into a fabric. I purchased one ball of WOOL AND THE GANG ra-ra raffia at a local yarn shop in Hong Kong and crocheted a market bag, and was obsessed.
It’s nice to know that something you own or have created will not leave a footprint at its end of life…back into the earth it goes!
This was my first market bag made with raffia yarn.
I use it frequently for pool days, the beach, and going on the junk boats here in Hong Kong.
My first collection of bags
I was incredibly intentional when curating the colors of the collection. I wanted them to feel natural and modern, yet timeless.
I also wanted the earthy tones to be equally as complimentary with a simple yet modern design that can be used for any occasion and will stand the test of time.
My first launch is a clutch and the paradise bag, but larger totes and market bags will be making their way in soon!