Say hello to Cal @crochetcalistta - our new Ribblr of the Week and the designer behind Crochet_Calistta
Tell us a little about yourself:
My Name is Cal and I live in Melbourne Australia. I work full time in a picture framing shop by day, but by night any spare time I have is spent crocheting with my cat Toulouse (and making us matching outfits hehe).
When did you start crafting and how?
I learned how to knit first as a very small child and would pick it up every now and then throughout my life. During covid, like everyone else i was stuck inside without a job and watching tiktoks. I came across a video of someone crocheting a top and I thought ‘i’m crafty, i bet i could make that’, and so i did! ever since i haven’t been able to put down the crochet hook.
Do you have a favorite craft type and if so - why?
I like to dabble in lots of crafts, but crochet is my true love I think; I just keep coming back to her.
What was the most memorable project you worked on?
Probably my Tulip Hat Pattern. I dreamt up the idea while I was very sick in bed feeling sorry for myself and watching videos of cute baby animals. I saw one of these ducklings that had tiny flowers someone had placed on their heads and I felt so sad that there weren’t enormous flowers for human sized heads and that sadness fueled me to design one with crochet.
I didn’t think many people would care about it, thinking maybe it was too odd at the time, but it was one of my first designs to go viral and to this day is still my best selling pattern.
What is your usual process for designing?
Most of my designs are inspired by clothing I already like to wear. From there, I kind of just start crocheting with a blind confidence and compare it to my reference so make sure I’m on the right track, making notes and taking photos as I go. There is almost always a lot of frogging and redoing, but I enjoy the challenge of getting it just right, like trying to figure out a puzzle.
What inspires you to create?
All my life I’ve been told I like to dress ‘eccentrically’. I have bright coloured hair, tattoos, and like to wear lots of colours and busy designs. I think it’s hard to find clothes like that that aren’t just for children. Sometimes adults wanna dress fun and colourful too!
What are you currently working on? Be honest - how many WIP do you have right now?
TOO MANY!! This year I’m making a series of tapestries and releasing one a month based on the zodiac sign of that month, so right now I’m in the middle of Gemini’s design. I’m also working on a pattern test for my friend @justtheworsted on Instagram AND i just started the yolk for a new sweater design. This is just this year’s WIP’s…
Which of your makes/designs are you most proud of? Share a picture!
My Golden Years crochet set for sure. I had never planned on making it as a pattern mainly because I thought it would be too ambitious for me, but so many people kept messaging me asking me for one and that kind of gave me the confidence to try and write it out. It’s my most complicated pattern, especially the pants. I know I am VERY particular about how pants fit my body, so I wanted other people to be able to customize to fit their legs as best as possible.
Any favorite song, book or movie you would like to recommend?
My favourite song at the moment is Ma quale idea by Pino D’Angiò, a really fun 80’s Italian disco song that makes it impossible to sit still when it plays
Terribly I haven’t finish a book in a hot minute, but the last book i finished was Fourth Wing which I ATE up in a matter of days.
I feel like an underappreciated movie that I love is The Love Witch. The style of the movie makes it look like it’s a dark fantasy movie from the 80’s, but then you’ll notice cars in the background that are from 2016. Visually stunning film, cannot recommend enough.
What is your favorite feature on Ribblr?
Being able to track where I’m up to on a pattern I’m following on Ribblr is so simple, yet invaluable to me. I have ADHD so I am often losing track of a lot of things in my life hehe
Where can people find you online?
Instagram is where I am most active https://www.instagram.com/crochet_calistta/ but you can also find me on TikTok @crochet_calistta?lang=en
Are there any designers on Ribblr you want to shout out?
@nastjacrochets has some fabulous beginner friendly patterns which I love, as well as @stitchedbyemma and her retro designs. I also got to test a vest for @crochetreat so can personally vouch for her patterns being top quality.
Thanks so much for being here Cal, it was a pleasure to read about you!
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Huge congratulations Cal!!! 
such a fluffy little thing