What happens when something you make with your own two hands ends up in one of the most iconic places in the world? In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, I’m taking you back to 2014—before I ever had an Etsy shop, before I started designing crochet patterns, and before I dreamed this business would exist.

This isn’t a “how-to” episode. It’s a story—a reminder that the work of your hands matters more than you realize. I share the behind-the-scenes of how my hippo landed in Times Square, the lessons it taught me about showing up, and why I even started this podcast in the first place: to leave a legacy of stories and encouragement my kids can one day listen to.

✨ In this episode you’ll hear:
● The true story of how my crocheted hippo was featured in Times Square

● Why sharing your creativity—even in small ways—can lead to big opportunities

● The importance of leaving a creative legacy for your loved ones

● Encouragement to keep putting your handmade work into the world

Whether you crochet for fun, for business, or simply for yourself, I hope this story inspires you to keep creating and sharing. Because you never know when your “hippo moment” might come.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

🧶⁠⁠Grab The FREE Donkey Pattern⁠⁠⁠

Today, I’m joined by the lovely Emily, the creative heart behind Emily Makes Crochet. Emily has been crocheting since she was just 12 years old, and now, as a busy mom of two girls, she’s balancing family life, part-time work at a ceramic shop, and her thriving crochet business.

In this conversation, Emily opens up about how crochet has brought her joy through every season of life—whether it’s during carpool lines, late-night stitches, or creating new designs that bring her community together.

We talk about her journey from hobby to business, the challenges and wins of running a creative brand while raising kids, and the way her online community has supported and inspired her along the way.

Emily’s story is such a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to wait for the perfect season—it can weave itself beautifully into our everyday lives.

If you’re looking for encouragement to chase your creative spark (even in the middle of a busy schedule), you’ll love this conversation.

✨ Check out Emily’s Daisy Pop Pattern

🌐 Visit her website

📸 Follow her on Instagram

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

🔆⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community

🔆⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠

🧶⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch

🧶⁠Grab The FREE Donkey Pattern⁠⁠

Did you know crochet has two different languages? 🧶 If you’ve ever been confused by a crochet pattern that doesn’t look right, chances are you’ve run into the difference between UK vs US crochet terms. In this episode of Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, we unpack why crochet stitches are named differently, how this split happened, and what it means for your projects today.

You’ll learn:
● The fascinating history behind UK and US crochet stitch names
● Why a UK double crochet is the same as a US single crochet
● Crochet tips for beginners on how to read patterns confidently
● How to spot which terminology your pattern uses before you start

Whether you’re just learning how to crochet or you’ve been making projects for years, this episode will help you master crochet pattern reading, avoid mix-ups, and understand the story behind the stitches you love.

Read this blog for a printable PDF of this abbreviation chart.

For a deeper dive into growing your handmade business, check out my new book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hooked on Growth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which goes into much more detail on scaling!

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join Our Skool Community⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠Join The Next Crochet Kit Club⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn to Crochet Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop My Crochet Patterns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔆⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab The Crochet Snuggle Buddies Pattern Book⁠⁠

🧶⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab Some Crochet Merch⁠

🧶⁠⁠Grab The FREE Donkey Pattern⁠⁠⁠