THE CROCHET MAN

Lee Griffiths, aka The Crochet Man, told us: “My love of crochet was born from my failure with knitting. I started around three years ago as I needed something to focus my mind as a distraction. I watched countless tutorials on YouTube as I knew no one who worked with yarn. I joined online crochet groups where everyone is so generous with advice, hints and tips, then I absorbed all the information I could get and pretty soon I just fell in love with the craft. Somehow I just understood the language and it wasn’t long before I began making little toys which then became an obsession.

“I find animals’ vast differences an endless source of inspiration. When I design my creatures I imagine their personalities and try to convey that in their faces as much as possible. My favourite make so far has to be my alpaca – it was a triumph when I finally captured that aloof expression.

“I have a few confessions. I am so in love with this craft I have a crochet-themed tattoo on my hand. Also, although I am from the UK, I crochet using US terminology. I had no idea they were different until I purchased an English pattern and thought ‘this makes no sense to me!’.

“I began designing my own patterns in January this year. I have so many ideas my head is buzzing. I just wish I had ten pairs of hands and endless hours. I will be at my first ever show along with some of my creations at Wool@J13 in May. Come and say hello!” Find The Crochet Man on Facebook at https://m.facebook.com/Thecrochetman/