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How did you first learn to crochet?
Dedri: My granny (on my dad’s side) taught me to crochet when
I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and although I was good at
it, I didn’t particularly like it. It wasn’t until I was pregnant
with my second son 5 years ago that I picked up a hook
again.

What inspired you to start
designing?
Dedri: I soon realize that I couldn’t find that
many crochet patterns aimed at boys, at least
not toy patterns. So I decided to design some
of my own. My first designs were rudimentary to
say the least. They consisted of a Little Blue Car,
a Crochet Tractor, and a Digger-loader.
Then one day my mom’s friend sent me a picture
of a fabric puzzle ball. I was too lazy to get the
sewing machine out, so I decided to crochet
one instead. And that was it! Every time I started
another design, I would think of 5 more things I
wanted to design. It was never a conscious choice.
The ideas just don’t seem to stop.

Unless you’ve been living under the proverbial rock, you’ve probably seen the
inventive designs of Dedri Uys, especially her amamani patterns, over the past year. Dedri is a U.K. based
crochet designer, blogger, and author, as well as a radiographer. I’m excited to share an interview with her
today as part of a series highlighting crochet designers for (Inter)National Crochet Month.

Do you have any crochet/crafty blogs or websites you visit regularly for
inspiration or community?
Dedri: My favourite blog is The Purl Bee. (UC comment: I reviewed the Purl in my Visitor’s Guide to New York
City Yarn Shops.) Hands down. It is a multi-craft site and the projects they share on it are amazing! Some of
their pieces are monotone, some of them are all white, some of them have more colours than smarties used
to have when we were little.
I spend hours just looking at all the beautiful knit/crochet/sewing creations.
How are you celebrating NatCroMo this year?

Dedri: I honestly don’t know! At the moment I am spending every waking (and most sleeping) moments
working on Sophie’s Universe. I think I will have to skip National Crochet Month this year. Or maybe divine
inspiration will strike…