Say hello to Vanesaa (@Savagely_Stitching) - our new Ribblr of the Week and the designer behind [Savagely Stitching]
Tell us a little about yourself:
My name is Vanessa, I’m 21 years old, and I’m from Utah. Many of you may know me as the creator of Savagely Stitching, a name inspired by my last name, Savage. I’m currently a full-time website designer, and a part-time crocheter/business owner. When I’m not working on crochet projects, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching basketball, playing games—whether video, board, or card—and catching up on reality TV.
When did you start crafting and how?
I first started crocheting when I was 17. At the time, I had been grounded (for typical teenager reasons), and with no access to electronics, I quickly ran out of things to do. After a couple of days of complaining about how bored I was, my mom gave me two options: read a book or join her in what she was doing—which happened to be crocheting. At the time, I really didn’t enjoy reading (which she definitely knew), so out of sass and a little bit of mockery, I grabbed a hook and some yarn and started trying to make stitches—though I genuinely thought I was just tying knots.
Much to my surprise, I actually started having fun. So much fun, in fact, that my mom eventually took that away from me too! Once my punishment was over, I immediately turned to YouTube to learn how to crochet a granny square. After mastering the basics, I discovered the world of amigurumi and began making toys for my dogs. From there, it just took off—and I’ve been hooked ever since.
What is your usual process of designing?
I typically start by sketching out the plushie I want to create, breaking it down into the individual shapes that will make up the final piece. From there, I plan out the stitches needed for each part and begin crocheting. Because chenille and blanket yarn can be more expensive than other types, I usually start with acrylic yarn—just to work out the design. About eight times out of ten, I’ll finalize the shape and structure using acrylic before recreating the piece in chenille or blanket yarn. Once I’m happy with the design, I’ll take pictures of the finished plushie and make a second one, taking step-by-step pictures along the way to include in my pattern.
Do you have a favorite craft type and if so - why?
My favorite craft type by far is amigurumi. I love how quickly these projects come together and the instant satisfaction of creating something tangible, cute, and completely handmade. There’s something really rewarding about starting with just a ball of yarn and ending up with a finished plushie in your hands. As a lifelong plushie lover and collector, amigurumi feels like the perfect creative outlet for me. It blends my love for crafting with the joy and nostalgia of plush toys, making it both meaningful and fun every time I pick up my hook.
What was the most memorable project you worked on?
Believe it or not, I only have one WIP at the moment—and it’s not even a plushie! I’ve been working on a crochet cardigan that I started back in October. It’s been a nice, mindless project to pick up while watching shows, and a fun way to break up the routine of working in continuous rounds. This will actually be the first wearable I’ve ever made, so I’m excited to see how it turns out once it’s finished.
Any favorite song, book or movie you would like to recommend?
If you know me, you know I’m a big fan of indie music. One of my current favorite songs is Falling Back (Midnight Version) by a band called Vacation Manor. I highly recommend giving it a listen—it’s definitely worth adding to your playlist.
What is your favorite feature on Ribblr?
There are so many features I love on Ribblr, but if I had to pick just one, it would be the copy-and-paste feature. When I’m designing patterns, I usually type them up in a PDF first. The ability to quickly copy and paste my written instructions directly into Ribblr’s platform makes the conversion process so much faster and more efficient. It saves me a ton of time and allows me to focus more on the creative side of designing, rather than spending hours reformatting.
Where can people find you online?
My Handle: @savagelystitching (Instagram and TikTok)
My Facebook: Savagely Stitching
A shoutout to your favorite designers on Ribblr !
Three of my favorite designers on Ribblr are @tinyfriendscrochet, @LorettasLoops, and @kelvencrochets. Each of them has such a unique and recognizable style, and I always find myself drawn back to their patterns whenever I’m in the mood to make amigurumi.
Thanks so much for being here Vanessa, it was a pleasure to read about you!
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