As many of you know, I wanted to start doing little spotlights and interviews with some of our teachers here at Yarn Store Boutique. Not only because they are talented, but because they each have such interesting stories and backgrounds. Honestly, yarn people are rarely just “yarn people.” Creative people tend to collect hobbies, talents, careers, and adventures along the way.
So it only felt right to start with our wonderful crochet teacher and pattern writer, Pat Crosland.
Now Pat, I already knew you had many talents, but after sitting and talking with you, I realized you may actually give me competition for the title of “Jill of All Trades.” Ha!
Pat’s crochet journey actually started many, many moons ago with her grandmother. Like so many of us, creativity started young and simply became part of who she was. But life has a funny way of taking us down winding roads, and crochet was only the beginning.
Over the years, Pat explored all kinds of creative paths. She created beaded jewelry and even taught Native American jewelry-making techniques to Native Americans. She taught blind children how to make balloon animals, which honestly just melts my heart thinking about it. Imagine the patience, kindness, and creativity that it takes.
And somehow…that was still only the beginning.
Pat later entered the tech industry and worked online for six years before eventually moving to Texas. Then came yet another chapter of her life. Jewelry making, training dogs, balloon decorating for events and parties all over the United States — and not just little balloon bouquets either. We are talking giant creations. She built a two-story castle and even a three-story birthday cake entirely out of balloons!
I mean honestly…who even thinks that big?
And somewhere in all of this adventure, Pat was also the mascot at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Which absolutely made me laugh because I was there too, and now I keep wondering if I actually saw her and never knew it.
Pat says she never went to college after graduating high school because she was more interested in discovering the world around her and learning through experience. And truly, I think there is something beautiful about that. Her life itself became the classroom.
About six years ago, retirement was supposedly the plan. According to Pat, that “has not gone very well.” Which honestly makes perfect sense because creative people rarely sit still for long.
That is when crochet came back into her life in a bigger way.
She became fascinated with amigurumi and especially loves experimenting with unusual fibers and materials that many people would never think to crochet with. Raffia, t-shirt yarn, paper fibers — all kinds of unexpected things. And then she educates others on what these fibers can actually do.
For example, raffia is technically paper, but it is incredibly strong and does not simply pull apart or dissolve when wet. Those are the kinds of fun discoveries Pat loves to share. She also enjoys micro crochet and making tiny earrings because, as she says, not everyone does it.
That perfectly describes Pat to me.
She likes exploring the unexpected.
But beyond all the accomplishments and talents, what stands out most about Pat is who she is as a person. She has been married for 37 years, and although she and her husband did not have children of their own, she has taken many children under her wing throughout her life. She is one of the greatest encouragers I know. Truly a woman full of love, wisdom, patience, and kindness.
One thing Pat said during our conversation really stayed with me. She reflected that everything she has gone through — the difficult times and the good times — has helped mold her into the person she is today. She uses all of those experiences as applications for life, helping her grow and better understand others.
And honestly, I think that wisdom shines through every time she teaches.
At Yarn Store Boutique, we are incredibly lucky to have Pat as part of our community. She brings not only talent and creativity, but warmth, encouragement, curiosity, and joy.
And now I am wondering what other hidden adventures she has not told us about yet… because with Pat, I have learned there is always another story waiting around the corner.
