Designer Interview: Justyna Kacprzak

Justyna is primarily a toy designer – she has a lot of really cute crocheted amigurumis (and a few knit ones) and measuring tape covers, among other things. Her blog is full of delightful adventures – her crocheted “mini-me” took an international trip and she hosted a crochet mystery featuring the evil villain, Dr. Hookenstein.

Designer Interview: Justyna Kacprzak
© Justyna Kacprzak

If I could still crochet, I would buy that schnauzer pattern – so cute, and I’m not even a dog person!

Designer Interview: Justyna Kacprzak
© Justyna Kacprzak

Or maybe the sheep measuring tape cover. Or…

Designer Interview: Justyna Kacprzak
© Justyna Kacprzak

And since I can still knit, I won’t deny having Oscar in my shopping cart waiting for an appropriate moment!

1. Please tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a mom of two who decided to quit her day job to start designing professionally. I love it so far and congratulate myself on that decision every day (or rather every day that doesn’t involve frogging over 1 hour of work …). I love both knitting and crochet and wish I had more time for selfish crafting. But who doesn’t, right?

2. Are there one or two of your designs that you’re proudest of?

The one that made me really proud hasn’t been released yet, so I guess, for now, I’d say it’s the book I managed to self-publish (12 Months in Amiland) (Ravelry link).

3. What attracted you to joining in with the Giftalong?

Every single part of it! I love making gifts for my family and friends and I really enjoy all kind of “alongs”. Crafting together is so much fun! Plus, the discounts and prizes – what’s not to love? As a designer, I hope to see some entries made from my patterns. It always makes me so happy to see that people like my designs and use the patterns I write.

4. What are a few patterns from the Giftalong that have really caught your eye?

Oh, that would be a long list if I wanted to mention all! I already bought Earthen (Ravelry link) by Alicia Plummer and I’m a proud owner of Cristina Ghirlanda’s Costanza pattern (Ravelry link)  (but I doubt I’ll manage to knit it this GAL…). For my boys I’m seriously considering buying Texo Pullover (Ravelry link) (by Anjali M). If I have time, I dream of making Back Roads Hat (Ravelry link) by Melissa Burke. Oh, and if I didn’t already have a bunch of Hanna Maciejewska’s patterns (Ravelry link), I’d buy any in a heartbeat. (Now I almost feel bad that I left out so many wonderful designs…)

5. Are there any things about crochet that you wish more people were aware of?

First of all – that it’s not as difficult as some people think! And secondly – that it can be wearable, too. If the design is good, it’ll be beautiful and comfy to wear.

Where to find Justyna online:

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/justyna-kacprzak
Ravelry group: Cute and Kaboodle
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cuteandkaboodle
Website: http://www.cuteandkaboodle.com/
Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/197252
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/cuteandkaboodle

Photos used by permission.