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I love meeting people from our wonderful global crochet community, and today I’m delighted to introduce you to Karen Stangroom from Conquer Crochet.
Karen has kindly agreed to let me pick her brain about all things crochet, and I’m excited to share her story with you. It’s a great way to learn more about crochet, get inspired and renew your motivation for this exciting craft of ours.
Karen is a UK-based crochet business owner, crochet educator, and YouTuber. Her business, Conquer Crochet, provides thousands of people with the resources they need to learn and master crochet – so much of which is free!
Whether you are brand new to crochet or are an experienced fiber artist, I hope you enjoy learning more about Karen and discover something new that you love about our craft.
About Karen Stangroom from Conquer Crochet
Karen, can you tell everyone a little bit about yourself?
“I recently relocated back to Wales from Hampshire where we had moved for work but decided that we wanted to be nearer to family and friends. We live in a lovely little village near Bridgend.
“Up until we moved, I was a primary school teacher and have been involved with education most of my life – I’ve been a university lecturer, school governor and a teaching assistant (when my son was younger). I’ve been running crochet businesses since 2014 and launched my YouTube channel in 2019.
“Aside from crochet, I trained as a primary music teacher and music is my other big passion. Everything stops in our house for Pop Master on Radio 2. I’m a huge Billy Joel fan and have seen him 5 times in this country but my dream is to visit New York and see him at Madison Square garden and then visit all the places around New York that he mentions in his songs. I had hoped to go last year but Covid put a stop to that. I hope I can see him before he stops performing.”
That is so amazing, and no wonder why you’re such a great crochet teacher with all of that formal teaching experience behind you, Karen! I also really hope you get the chance to see Billy Joel live. I’m a huge music fan myself and know how much an experience like that can mean to someone. I’ll totally admit to crying happy tears when Barry Gibb walked out on the Glastonbury stage as a surprise guest in 2016.
Karen’s Crochet Journey
I’d love to know more about how you become hooked on crochet. Can you tell us all a little more about your crochet journey?
“My gran was a great crafter. She could turn her hand to any craft and create amazing work. She taught my sister how to crochet but I was one of those kids who was always outside playing and didn’t like to sit still (not much has changed!). Looking back, it would have been nice to say my Gran taught me but the reality was quite different.
“When I was teaching we used to get boxes of books and things you could order left in the staff room. One day, whilst perusing the books, I saw a crochet book for kids and it reminded me of my Gran. I figured that if kids could do it, then so could I!
“I had a few friends who crocheted and they recommended what hooks and yarn I should buy. I struggled getting started. YouTube wasn’t really a thing at the time and the book could only tell me so much. I found a lovely lady called Stephanie who taught crochet (as well as running a pot painting business!) and she gave me a few lessons, particularly about tension. From there I was hooked.”
Finding someone who could show you the crochet ropes must have been so extremely helpful! Sometimes it is so much easier to get hooked on a craft when you have someone cheering your progress on from the sidelines.
First crocheted creation
I absolutely love hearing about first crochet makes, as this is often what gets us hooked! What was your first ever crocheted creation?
“My first make was a granny square scarf for my niece with little flowers on the end granny squares. It was from one of the patterns in the learn to crochet book I had bought.”
That looks gorgeous, and I bet your niece loved it! Such an impressive make for your first as well!
Favourite crocheted creation
With years of crochet experience (and projects!) now under your belt, Karen, I’m so curious about whether you have a favourite make. I know it is a super tricky question to answer, but do you have a favourite crochet creation that you’ve ever made?
“That’s like choosing a favourite child. Lots of my makes are so different from each other – how can you compare an amigurumi toy to a blanket? I think, because of the reaction I received, this blanket I made for my mum is my favourite. I must have only been crocheting for about a year when I made it and it was my first big project and the first time I’d ever blocked my work.”
I totally know what you mean about having to pick just one, it is virtually impossible when there are so many different types of makes out there. I do have to say though, that this blanket is so stunning, Karen! I’m not surprised it holds a special place in your heart.
Crochet Stitches
Since you share so many amazing stitch tutorials on your YouTube channel, I’d absolutely love to find out which crochet stitch you find the easiest and which you find the hardest?
“Aside from the basic stitches, Moss stitch is the easiest one. I think it is great for beginners – a combination of DC (UK) and chain plus it looks amazing with a variegated yarn.”
“I don’t think I find any stitch difficult, as such, but crab stitch is a weird one because you’re working backwards. It’s great for finishing off borders.”
Thank you so much for sharing, Karen. Honestly, I haven’t tried either of these stitches yet as I predominantly design and make amigurumi, but I am so excited to go and give them a try now! If you’d also like to give them a try, Karen has two wonderful tutorials on both of these stitches which you can find below.
For the love of crochet
Your passion for crochet just shines through, Karen, and I absolutely love speaking to people that are as passionate about the craft as I feel. Why do you think you love crochet? And why would you recommend other people to learn crochet?
“I love crochet for many reasons. Firstly, the crochet community is awesome. I’ve made so many friends through the craft, in real life and virtually. Everyone is happy to help and make suggestions.
“The second reason, and the reason I started the Conquer Crochet YouTube channel is for the mental health benefits. It’s such a calming craft, that you can do at your own speed. You’re not waiting for things to dry or bake. You can take it anywhere.
“I’m a big promoter of the mindful blanket. Just pick a simple stitch, for example moss stitch and lose yourself in the repetitiveness of the stitch and not worry about following a pattern. By concentrating on the stitches, your heart rate slows down and you focus on the crochet rather than external worries.”
That makes me relax just reading those words, Karen! Crochet is such a fantastic way to get out of the everyday and relax your mind.
Crochet Tips for Beginners
What tips would you offer to people who are learning crochet for the first time?
“The most common question I get asked by beginners is ‘Why is my work growing out sideways and not square?’ There are a couple of possible reasons and solutions for this:
“1 – You’ve made your foundation chains too tight and now you’ve relaxed in the crochet your stitches are looser than the chains. If you can’t get out of this habit, make your foundation chains with a larger hook and then swap back to the smaller hook for the remaining rows.
“2 – You’ve added extra stitches (or missed stitches if you’re getting a triangle) so you must count. Count as you crochet and then go back and count the number of stitches when you’ve finished the row.
“3 – Often you’re missing the last stitch in a row. Once you’ve crocheted your first stitch pop a stitch marker (a paper clip or bobby pin will do) into that first stitch. Do the same for the next row. You’ll have a stitch marker at each end of your work. Now if you lose count you’ll know which is the last stitch. Move the stitch marker up at the start of each row.”
These are such great tips, and I totally have to admit this definitely happened to me when I first started crocheting! The first ever swatch I made to practice crochet turned into a triangle and it was all because I didn’t count my stitches. Karen also has some amazing videos to help you tackle this issue. Just click the buttons below to get the crochet support you need in these crochet course playlists from Conquer Crochet.
Karen, is there anything you wish you knew when you first started crocheting?
“I wish that someone had told me that not all yarns are created equally! I have some yarns in my stash, that I really don’t like to crochet with. They stretch and thin out as you work them making the finished piece look pretty ropey. Buy a good quality (that’s not the same as expensive) yarn once you’ve mastered the basics. It will make your work look so much more professional.”
That is so true!
Conquer Crochet on YouTube
Karen, you’ve really made a name for yourself on YouTube as being a go-to crochet educator, which I think is super impressive! Can you tell me a little about what inspired you to set up your Conquer Crochet YouTube Channel?
“Around Easter of 2019, a good friend of mine was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I always knew that crocheting was a good stress reliever and that it could aid the recovery of mental health conditions. I suggested that we get together and I would teach her to crochet. After a few weeks of canceled ‘get togethers’, I realised that meeting up was too stressful for her and I needed to find another way to teach her that wouldn’t have the pressures of meeting up or showing failed attempts in public. It occurred to me that other people were probably in a similar position to my friend and so I decided to create a YouTube channel helping people learn the craft of crochet.
“It’s been a steep learning curve. I had no idea how to do any of it so some of my early videos make me cringe, but I’m also really proud of how far the channel has come. I am an eternal student and love to learn new things and ways of doing something, and I’m still learning how to do things on YouTube nearly three years on.”
YouTube Tips
That is such an amazing reason for starting a YouTube channel, and it is amazing how many people you’ve helped learn crochet since! Do you have any tips for any readers who are considering setting up their own crochet YouTube channels?
“Just press record. Start making videos that nobody will see so you can get used to yourself on camera.
“Don’t compare yourself to other crochet channels. They are at a different stage of their journey.
“Everyone started at zero so don’t get hung up on the vanity metrics, focus on the quality of your videos and the numbers will grow.
“If someone tells you not to bother because there are so many other crochet channels out there, ignore them. Yes, there are lots of channels and new ones popping up all the time but THEY ARE NOT YOU. You will bring a different perspective on things and your own personality. There is one YouTuber who I just can’t watch because her accent really grates me and others who I can’t get enough of – horses for courses.”
I love this so much, and you have 100% inspired me to consider giving it a go!
Crochet Business Aspirations
I personally would love to turn my passion for crochet into a fully fledged business one day, and I am so in awe of what you’ve accomplished so far with Conquer Crochet. I’m also fully aware that Conquer Crochet is so much more than just a YouTube channel. Can you share what your plans are for Conquer Crochet going forward, and is there anything in particular we should be looking out for in 2022?
“I’m so excited about this year. I’m launching the Conquer Crochet Business School starting with a new course aimed at ladies who want to start their own crochet business. I spent years, and far too much money, trying to figure out where to start, what I needed to do and how to get people to see my work. Most of the time and money was wasted because it didn’t relate to me, my life or selling crochet pieces. Everything in my course is related to crochet, with examples from myself and others in the crochet community.
“As we move through the year and beyond, I’ll be adding other courses focusing on the different aspects of marketing your crochet business which will help ladies at all stages of their business.
“I’ve been getting so many emails and DMs about running a crochet business that it made sense to do it this way rather than replying with the same thing to individual messages. Obviously, this is taking up rather a lot of time, so I have to charge for the course but my aim is to make it at an affordable price that’s realistic. So many courses out there have way too high a price tag and I think it puts people off taking that first step. I’d love to build a crochet business community where we can all help each other and learn from one another. We might all be making the same hat but, as my course will show you, there are ways of making that hat individual to your business.
“If you’d like more information, please sign up to my email list where you’ll receive Module one of my start up course absolutely FREE.”
“I’ve also set up an instagram account for the business school which you can find here.”
I am so extremely excited about this, Karen, and have already signed up and started following along! I can’t wait to meet other like-minded crocheters who are keen to turn their passion for crochet into a crochet business.
Quick Fire Round: Crochet Favourites
Last but not least, I have a couple of super quick questions for you! Here it goes…
- Printed or digital patterns? “Printed (I like to write on them)”
- Favourite yarn? “Stylecraft aran or dk – great colours, great quality, great price”
- Favourite crochet stitch? “At the moment, Star stitch”
- What yarn material do you prefer to crochet with? “Depends on the weather, cotton in the summer, acrylic in the winter”
- Favourite crochet Instagram account? “@amourfou_crochet”
- Favourite crochet website? “Attic 24 – I’ve followed Lucy since I started crocheting”
- Currently reading? “The Last Letter by Kirsten McKenzie (I love a good dystopian or time travel novel)”
- Most inspirational crochet designer for you? “Kate Eastwood @just_pootling on Instagram”
- Pattern books or individual patterns? “Both”
- Aluminium or ergonomic crochet hooks? “Aluminium with polymer clay handles”
Connect with Conquer Crochet
If you’ve enjoyed this post and would like to Conquer Crochet with Karen and connect with her online, just head to the links below.
Thank you so much, Karen, for chatting with me about all things crochet. I’ve learned so much, and cannot wait to see what the future holds for Conquer Crochet and the Conquer Crochet Business School!
As for my readers, I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about Karen and Conquer Crochet, and more importantly I hope this blog post inspires you to pick up your yarn and hook.
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x
