When I started my Meet the Crafter series, I had a clear idea in mind: to share real stories from real crafters. Not fairy-tale-like stories of overnight success, but honest paths made of passion, learning, mistakes, even courage. I wanted to showcase interesting people who could inspire others like them. Because sometimes what we need most is not a perfect example, but a relatable one.
Today, I’m very happy to introduce you to Carol, the maker behind Carolille Crochet. She’s a crocheter who managed to turn her love for yarn into her everyday job, and she did it in a way that feels both intentional and very much her own.
Carol’s work lives at the crossroads of handmade and imagination. She sells her crochet creations at markets and fairs, with a strong connection to the cosplay world, where her pieces find the perfect audience: people who love craftsmanship and creativity, with a touch of magic.
More recently, Carol has also taken another step: she started hosting in-person crochet courses, opening her practice to others to share her technique, confidence and enthusiasm. It’s a beautiful evolution from maker to mentor, and one that many crafters quietly dream about.
In this interview, we talk about how she discovered crochet, how she decided to turn a passion into a profession, what selling at markets is really like, and what it means to start teaching. If you’ve ever wondered whether your own craft could become more than a hobby, or even if you simply enjoy reading about creative journeys, I think you’ll enjoy meeting Carol.
Find Carolille Crochet online
Find more about Carolille Crochet on her Instagram profile.
How did crochet first enter your life?
Crochet has actually always been part of my life.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been surrounded by handmade creations in my family, from knitting to embroidery and cutwork. My mother often tells me how, when she was a child, her aunt taught her crochet to keep her busy during the Summer.
Almost forty years later, that same experience repeated itself in almost the same way, when I asked her to teach me. From that moment on, I never stopped.
There’s something really special about crafts being passed down like this across generations. Let’s talk about when things started to change.
When did crochet shifted from “something I love” to “this could be my job”?
I started a bit as a game. I told myself, “At worst, I’ll have had a unique experience.” But the first time went well, then the second, and the third.
Of course, at the beginning the earnings were very small, but things were moving in a positive direction, and I decided to follow the yellow brick road, so to speak.
At some point, many of us crafters wonder what would happen if we took our craft a little further, but actually taking that step is a whole different story.
How did you begin selling at markets and fairs, and what have those events taught you about your craft, your audience, and yourself as a maker?
I began this journey by doing research online, to see if there were any craft markets I could take part in. From there, it turned into a bit of a snowball effect: the more markets I did, the more I wanted to grow, expand and increase my creations.
I love how it started almost playfully, without too many expectations. Sometimes that’s exactly what allows things to grow naturally, one step at a time. But of course, turning a passion into something more also means putting a lot of yourself out there.
It might sound obvious, but I learned to be prepared for anything, especially at outdoor events, to adapt my products as much as possible to the target audience of each event, and that the most important requirement is a lot of patience. Not only are there natural quiet moments in this kind of work, but being in contact with so many people isn’t always easy.
And then, another opportunity came along: you recently started hosting in-person crochet courses. What made you want to teach, and how does sharing your skills with others differ from creating and selling your own pieces?
A very dear friend of mine suggested that I try teaching.
I have to admit it took me a while before deciding, but once I found the courage, I threw myself into this new side of the craft world.
Teaching is something completely different from the simple economic transaction of a market. I stay beside people for hours, not just a few minutes. I guide them through their first steps… or rather, their first stitches. We chat, we get to know each other, we share knowledge and the challenges of the journey.
Sharing your work is one thing, but sharing your knowledge is something else entirely. I really love this shift from maker to teacher, that in your case seems so natural. There’s something incredibly rewarding in guiding someone through their very first stitches and being part of their beginning.
And for those who are at the start of their own journey: for crafters who dream of turning their passion into a profession but don’t know where to start, what advice would you give them?
For those who, like me, would like to take this step, my advice is to be prepared.
Plan in advance how you want to display your pieces, how long it takes you to set up (and pack down), so you have a clear idea of timing.
But above all, especially the first few times, it is essential to be ready for anything: bring extra clothes for different weather, plenty of water and food, and if you don’t have a gazebo, find any way to create shade. Arm yourself with patience… and with a lot, a lot of desire to enjoy the experience!
This is honest, practical advice, and I think many of us need to hear exactly this. Beyond the “follow your passion” we hear so often, there’s the reality of the world out there: be prepared, be patient, and first of all enjoy the process, because it’s what will guide you through the harder moments. Turning a craft into a job goes beyond talent or inspiration: it’s about showing up, learning as you go, and finding your own way, step by step.
What I particularly love about Carol’s journey is how concrete it feels. It’s relatable and human. There’s no sudden leap, no perfect plan: just curiosity, a first try, then another, and the decision to keep going when things started to grow. From markets and fairs to teaching others, her path shows that it’s possible to build something meaningful around what you love, in your own time and in your own way. Thank you, Carol, for sharing your journey with us!
And now I’d love to hear from you. If you’ve ever tried to turn your passion into a job (being it crochet, embroidery, sewing, or any other craft) what has your experience been like? Do you have advice you wish someone had given you at the beginning?
Feel free to share your thoughts, tips, even your doubts in the comments. I’m sure many fellow crafters reading this will find inspiration (and maybe a bit of reassurance) in your words.
