Meet Elizabeth Pascoe | Crochet Artist, Certified Crochet Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Pascoe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I have always loved crocheting new things. I especially had fun crocheting food because it was not something you would expect. I also liked to crochet amigurumi animals, which is the Japanese art of crocheting small creatures and toys. It is fun because each one was unique and seemed to have its own personality. My best friend Julie convinced me to do an artist alley booth with her at an anime convention a few years back. The attendees loved my amigurumi and character inspired hats. I ended up participating in the artist alley with her for a few years. Transitioning into my own booth at markets was the logical next step. I have adored mermaids since watching “The Little Mermaid” when I was a kid. I decided to crochet mermaids and other sea creatures to sell. That is when Mermaid in Stitches was born. Since I have been selling at farmers markets also, I added fruit and vegetables to my collection. Coincidentally at the Old Pearland Farmers Market, my best seller is the amigurumi pears.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am proud of everything I make, from the tiny jellyfish to the giant 3-foot donut I made for my best friend’s daughter. I am always excited when I finish crocheting something because it is so adorable!

One of the ways to create an attractive product is through consistency. The key to this consistency is through tension on the yarn. With 20 years of experience behind me, I believe I have perfected my tension which means each piece I create has consistency giving it a high quality. I feel every piece I crochet is different than anyone else’s or even other ones that I make. With each stitch that I add, or the curl of a smile, or the glam of an eyelash they all have a little bit of personality and that makes each one unique.

I am excited about sharing my art with other people. I like to see the joy on their faces when they walk into my booth at the markets and pick out the items they want to take home. I also enjoy teaching crochet to other people. It is motivating to see the pride on a student’s face when they complete their first crocheting project. Now they have a skill that they can improve on and share with others.

I had heard the hospital needed handmade baby hats. So, I asked my mom who was an avid crocheter and knitter to teach me how to crochet. Once I had increased my confidence and skill, I started to make baby hats and donated them to the hospital. Since then, I have crocheted blankets for friends or family members when they got married. I have also crocheted more baby hats and baby blankets when families I know have little ones.

When a Michaels store was going to open near me, I thought that would be a fun place to work. Plus, I could get a discount on yarn. After working there for a couple of years, they needed a crochet instructor and asked if I would be interested. I decided to give it a try and ended up loving it! I got certified through the Craft Yarn Council and have taught so many people over the years from little kids to adults. Although I no longer work at Michaels, I continue to teach private crochet lessons.

From my personal experience, learning to crochet can be frustrating at times, but learning a new skill is never easy. If you stick with it like I have, not only will you become an advance crocheter, but you will have learned patience along the way. I recommend to my students to take plenty of breaks and don’t get discouraged. I have realized that everyone learns at a different pace but once it “clicks” for the student it becomes much easier.

Crocheting as a business has its own set of challenges. First, I have to find the right pattern. Even when I find a pattern that I like, I have to be motivated to create it. I don’t want to make something to just make it, my heart has to be in the creative process as well. Second, I have to find the right yarn. Sometimes when I just can’t get it to look right, my husband helps me pick out the right colors.

There have also been health challenges along the way, including lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), ganglion cyst in my wrist, and bicep tendonitis. Fortunately, during the day, I work as a Physical Therapist Assistant so can treat my body’s aches and pains. I have learned that I need to take care of myself including strength training and stretching exercises and occasionally a massage or two.

I would like everyone to know that each piece I create is crocheted with love. Every component is chosen with care and consideration. It is my hope that everyone receives as much joy from their purchase as I did crocheting it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Depending on the season, must do things for me are the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Texas Renaissance Festival, and the Nutcracker Market.

If the weather is nice, we would go to Galveston. I’d make sure to check the dates for the sandcastle and the dog surfing competitions. We would have a picnic on the beach and fly a kite. Then we would walk down The Strand and get some ice cream at LaKing’s.

I also love going to the Houston Zoo. I could spend hours watching the giraffes, elephants, and otters.

Some other fun activities I like doing are throwing darts at Flight Club, throwing axes at Urban Axes, and singing at Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar. Make sure to see what’s on stage at the Hobby Center or Jones Hall.

At some point we’d get lunch at Lankford’s Grocery. I love their burgers!

Of course we would have to make a run to the craft store, and check out any estate sales in the area.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I would like to thank my husband, Nathan. He comes with me to all the markets and helps me set up and take down. He is always willing to make a food run when I get hangry. He helps me pick out the perfect colors for my project when I can’t tell the difference between the various shades. He also helps me come up with new ideas for my next project.

My mom who taught me to knit and crochet. She also supports and shares my yarn addiction, especially when there is a sale or clearance. My dad who taught me about business. He is always willing to help me when I have questions about taxes or anything else.

My best friends Crystal and Julie are always willing to try a new craft with me. We share supplies and patterns all the time. They also support my yarn addiction and will never turn down a trip to the craft store.

There are many crochet pattern designers that deserve recognition, but I cannot list all of them here. My favorites are Twinkie Chan, TobeyTimeCrochet, and Crafty is Cool. I have used their patterns so many times and just love everything they make.

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