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Hi Crocheters! Today we are having a Meet and Greet with the Crochet Designer behind the blog 5 Little Monsters.
Read on below to learn about Erica Dietz and her designs before scrolling to the end of this post for a selection of free crochet patterns available from 5 Little Monsters.
This post includes just a small sampling of all the wonderful patterns, tutorials and projects she has available for you online. Be sure to check out her social media channels for even more goodies!
Crochet Designer Feature:
5 Little Monsters
Meet Erica
Question: Who are you? Tell me about yourself.
My name is Erica and I live in Salt Lake City Utah with my husband and our 6 kids. I run a craft blog called 5 Little Monsters, I only had 5 kids when I started my blog and just decided to keep the name when my youngest was born. I love crafts of all kinds and share them on my blog, crocheting is one of my favorite crafts.
Question: How did you learn how to crochet? How long have you been crocheting?
My mom taught me to crochet a couple basic things when I was a kid, maybe 8 or 9, but she didn’t really read patterns, she just had a couple patterns memorized. I took that foundation and built on that, mostly from checking books out from the library as a teen (since that was pre-YouTube).
Question: Do you have any tips for new crocheters? Any guidance to make them successful at a new hobby?
Don’t give up if your first projects don’t turn out perfect. I’m pretty sure all of us have a blanket that turned out more of a trapezoid than a square, or a super wonky stuffed animal, or a clothing item that turned out way too big or too small thanks to not checking gauge.
Question: What do you enjoy crocheting the most?
I love the variety of items that I can create. Flat items like blankets and scarves, 3D items like stuffed animals, super complex decorative stitch patterns, or things made completely out of single crochet.
Question: What else are you passionate about (other than crochet)?
I love all kinds of crafting and will try any craft. I really enjoy making crafts with my Cricut, sewing, embroidery, crafting with kids, etc. I also enjoy reading and movie night with my family.
Question: What prompted you to start designing?
I started crocheting more often after having a couple of kids. I loved finding free patterns online since we were young and didn’t have a lot of extra money to spend on patterns. As I became more comfortable with how to shape different types of projects I started playing around with creating my own designs. Then once I was comfortable with that I decided to start my own blog where I could share my own patterns, since I had really appreciated those patterns I had used that were shared by others.
Question: How long have you been designing and where do you publish your patterns?
I stated my blog in 2014, so it has been just over 8 years. All of my patterns can be found on my blog 5 Little Monsters. I am just starting to offer paid versions of some of my patterns on Ravelry and Etsy.
Question: What drives you to create? Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
I get a lot of inspiration from my kids, but I also find inspiration everywhere. Sometimes it is seeing a specific color of yarn, or a pattern on a wall. Sometimes when I feel uninspired I will go to the craft store and wander the aisles looking at supplies.
Question: What do you enjoy designing the most?
I like a little bit of everything. Stuffed animals might be my favorite, but it is hard to choose. I tend to prefer smaller projects that don’t take a lot of time to make.
Question: What tips would you give to someone interested in designing and blogging?
I think I would just say go for it. Get comfortable with designing the type of projects you want to make, learn how to write patterns, and then go for it! Don’t be discouraged if things start out slow. I don’t think when I started my little hobby blog I could have imagined the opportunities that would come, and I know that there are even bigger things in the future.
Learn How to Set Up a Successful Blog
Question: What goals have you set for yourself for the future?
I am currently working on listing ad-free paid PDF versions of some of my patterns, which is something I have wanted to do for years. I would like to continue adding to that, and maybe put together some ebooks in the future.
Question: Who are your favorite makers? How have they inspired you?
2 of the first crochet blogs I started following were Moogly and Repeat Crafter Me. I think that their blogs made me realize that people could design patterns and share them on the internet for a living. There are so many others that I have met online or in person that are amazing people. Too many to list. I truly believe that there is room for everyone and I love collaborating with other designers.
Question: Do you have a favorite yarn you like to use when you are crocheting? What colors and fibers do you gravitate toward when choosing your yarn?
I tend to use mostly yarn that you can find in craft stores or even just at Walmart. So I use a lot of Red Heart, Lion Brand, Loops and Threads, etc. The majority of my patterns are made with worsted weight. Blue is my favorite color so I tend to gravitate towards blues and greens, but I like to use lots of colors.
Question: Do you have anything else you’d like to share with us?
Blog: www.5littlemonsters.com
FB: @fivelittlemonsters
IG: @fivelittlemonsters
Pinterest: @fivelittlemonst
TikTok: @5littlemonsters
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Free Crochet Patterns from 5 Little Monsters
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Free Patterns from 5 Little Monsters
Details and Links:
Double Crochet Stripes Hat
This is one of my most recent crochet patterns. Hats are one of my favorite things to make in the fall and winter. This one has half double crochet ridges separating rounds of double crochet. This hat pattern comes in 5 sizes from baby-adult. It is made with medium weight yarn and an I crochet hook.
Bead Stitch Hat
Easy Crocheted Pumpkin
This is such a simple pumpkin pattern, perfect for fall. I have a video tutorial for this pumpkin as well as the written pattern. Made with medium weight yarn and G hook.
Triceratops
I loved dinosaurs as a little kid, so this triceratops is one of my favorite stuffed animals that I have made. It uses medium weight yarn and a G hook.
Crossed Doubles Dishcloth
Long Legged Animals with Clothes and Accessories
This collection of patterns includes 3 long legged animals, a bunny, a bear, and a cat, as well as some clothes and accessories to make them extra fun for kids to play with. All items made with medium weight yarn and G hook.
Market Bag
Who couldn't use a new bag to carry all of their things around. This market bag is made with cotton yarn and an H hook.
Crocheted Nativity
I love Christmas and making Christmas crafts, and this crocheted nativity my be my number one, favorite project I have ever made. It includes several pieces, mostly made with medium weight yarn and a G crochet hook, weighted stuffing beads added to the bases help them stand.
Farm Animal Finger Puppets
This little finger puppet set includes 4 farm animal finger puppets, and a little drawstring barn bag to store them in.
Dragon
This dragon was a twist on my dinosaur pattern. Like most of my stuffed animal patterns it is made with medium weight yarn and a G crochet hook.
