Well? How did I get here?

I come from a long line of crocheters spanning five generations, now teaching the sixth. The tradition began with my great-great-grandmother, who learned in Ireland before moving to the US in the late 1800s. Crochet skills passed down through my family from her to my great-grandmother, who taught her daughter, and so on, eventually reaching me.

When I was seven, our house burned down, and we stayed with my grandparents for a while. During that time, my great aunt, often there to help care for us, noticed my fascination with crochet as she worked alongside my grandmother. Intrigued, she offered to teach me, on the condition that I could sit still for five minutes. I eagerly agreed, and she began with the basics, showing me how to make chains. I still remember the pride of mastering each stitch with my red aluminum Boye hook and Red Heart Super Saver yarn.

Crochet has been an enduring thread in my family for almost 150 years, tracing back to Victorian-era Ireland. It's more than a skill; it's a significant part of my heritage and cultural identity. My teaching approach blends traditional techniques with contemporary methods, bridging the old and new. I'm thrilled to pass on this rich legacy to a new generation of artists.

So the next question I often get is…..

Why choose recycled yarns? It's because I care deeply about preserving the world for future generations. Did you know that 84% of all new clothes end up in landfills within just three years of the initial purchase? That's why I make it my mission to find knit and crochet garments on clearance racks in thrift stores, and give these items a new lease on life. Sometimes, I dye the yarn or combine it with another yarn. Maybe I will add beads to it. Maybe I add twist to an unplied yarn to give it more structure. Other times, a simple cleaning does the trick. Reclaiming yarn from a single sweater typically takes about 4-5 hours, even if the yarn is in excellent condition. Though it's a labor-intensive process, the resulting yarn is not only more affordable than buying new, but it’s also better for the environment.

Using recycled yarns is an easy, effective way to reduce your carbon footprint. Recycled yarns are often softer because they've been used before, which gives them the opportunity to fluff out. When I make my Reinyarnations, I try to keep joins to a minimum. Sometimes, I need to include small knots to save resources for you but as the crafter, you get to decide whether to work around these knots or cut them out and join the yarn like you would add a new ball to your project.

My home is smoke-free but cat-friendly. While I do my best to keep my Reinyarnations free from allergens, I cannot guarantee they are completely allergen-free. Those with sensitivities should be aware of this. I photograph all items to show their true colors as accurately as possible, but please note that your monitor settings might display them differently. I also prioritize using recycled packaging materials whenever I can. If a package arrives to you in a box from an unexpected company, it might be from me.