If you adore shamelessly colourful, vibrant blankets and accessories, Anna Torfjäll is the designer you need to know about! I first fell in love with Anna’s work years ago while browsing Instagram for creative inspiration and was immediately drawn to her mastery of colour, shape, and texture. To top it off, she shares my love for the half double crochet stitch – the best crochet stitch, as we both agree! Anna was kind enough to sit down with me and to share a glimpse into her life, work, and design process, and to discuss just how vibrant the yarn community is in beautiful Sweden, her homeland Can you believe that textile crafts are mandatory at school there? Take note, other countries!
How did your crochet journey begin, and what inspired the name “Gilbert Crochet”?
In Sweden we have mandatory textile crafts all through middle and secondary school, so I first learnt the basics of crochet and knitting in school. I remember we had to make a small crocheted bag, I hated it and was the last in my class to finish mine. In my early 20s I looked to pick up something crafty and turned to crochet, this time I taught myself by looking at step by step pictures in a book (says something about my age). I dabbled, making the occasional blanket for friends’ babies and had long periods of not making anything at all. In my mid 30’s, when I eventually had my own baby I felt very trapped at home and needed something to do that was entirely for myself. So, about ten years ago I began crocheting on a more regular basis and the more I did it, the more I loved it! Eight years ago I joined the crochet community on instagram, mainly for inspiration – I had no idea the community was so lovely and that I would one day inspire others to create, so that was a big bonus!
The name is an acronym based on my son’s names, he is called Gillis Bertil. I wanted something neutral that didn’t say much about me or my style as a creator, but still something dear to my heart. Although he has nothing to do with my crochet as such, he is still in a way the reason why I got properly into it!
Your photos are a masterclass in highlighting stitch definition. What is your absolute favorite crochet stitch to work up when you just want to relax?
I think my favourite stitch is a hdc, although I rarely use it on its own in a project. The fundamentals of all my designs are the basic stitches, sc, hdc, dc, which is what I love about crochet – you can create so many different things and textures just knowing the basics (and a little bit of counting). I do enjoy simple pattern repeats and always have a ripple blanket or a granny stripe blanket on the go, as a go-to relaxing project.
You have a beautiful eye for color combinations. Do you meticulously plan out your palette before picking up a hook, or do you let the yarn speak to you as you go?
Planning colour combinations is what crochet is all about for me – it’s what drives me to start new projects. In other words, all my projects start with a palette that I need to find a pattern for, or I see a pattern that I need to create a palette for. I have tried going random or planning colours as I go but I just can’t – I’m just too much of a control freak. I need to get the colours just right or I’ll start over until it turns out the way I’ve pictured it in my head. I spend a lot of time thinking about colour combinations and I draw inspiration from everything. Planning out the colours for a project is my favourite part of the entire process!
Your blankets are stunning. What is your top tip for keeping massive blanket projects organized and motivating to finish?
Massive blankets are a challenge! I prefer making blankets that are made up of smaller entities, like squares or other motifs. To stay organised I always take notes throughout the entire project, especially if you tend to put a project aside for a bit. You think you’ll remember everything but I’ve learned the hard way that it’s crucial to write down everything until you pick it back up, I’ve been known to forget which hook I’ve used for a specific project on multiple occasions. If I’m working with squares or sections when making a blanket, I plan my layout carefully, sometimes over several days. Once the layout is done I keep the squares in the right order in a shoebox or on a stitch holder!
What is the fiber arts community like where you are? Do you have local crafty friends, or do you find most of your connections online?
The fiber arts community where I live is mostly centred around knitting, and although I do knit on occasion I don’t consider myself a “real” knitter. So I don’t belong to a local community, pretty much all my crafty connections are made online! That being said I do have to brag about having a huge crochet celebrity living in the same area of Sweden as myself – Martin Up North, who makes the most amazing blankets and mosacic crochet project.
Every maker has that one project that tested their patience. What is the most challenging or complex item you’ve ever crocheted?
Funnily enough my most complex item of crochet is also one of my first bigger projects once I got back into crochet 15 years ago. It’s the Persian Tiles blanket by Janie Crow which I’m sure is a pattern known to many crocheters. Thinking about it now I find it amazing that I was so focused and managed to finish it buck back then I wasn’t a “multi-wip:er”. I started a second one a couple of years ago and even got a group together on instagram where all of us worked on the same project. Me myself only got about half way through it but other people in the group made wonderful versions of the blanket. I love all of Janie Crows patterns, they are a wonder of construction and design and they use a lot of colour so the combinations are endless.
What is the yarn community like in Sweden?
Sweden has a longstanding tradition of knitting and crocheting, as I said we learn it in school so most people have learnt the basics at some point. The tradition is strong all over Scandinavia, with lots of different local traditions, such as Fair Isle knitting and so on. The community exists I’m sure, but for me creating isn’t so much a social thing. I prefer to create in solitude, it’s something I do to relax and ultimately one of the few things that are just for me – so I am not a social crafter. I can absolutely see myself becoming one though, it’s my conviction that everything that can bring people together and make more people meet in real life is a good thing – and gathering around a common interest is a really good way of bringing people together. In the future I would like to bring more crafts and creativity to young people, having a hobby is such an important part of a good life I think.
What does your ultimate, cozy crochet setup look like and do you have your own dedicated craft space?
As I said I’m a lone crafter and I usually just sit on my sofa or on my balcony. If I’m doing a mindful project I gladly watch TV and if it’s something more challenging I listen to music or an audiobook. I have a corner behind my sofa where all of my wips live, but I also have a few stashed away in different cupboards and drawers. I also have yarn stored in all the possible places, spread out in all the rooms of my house – the freedom of living alone!
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were first learning how to read crochet patterns?
Read through the entire pattern before you start, plan the project carefully in terms of yarn, hooks etc. Most importantly – TAKE NOTES. Also, whenever you get stuck, YouTube is your friend!
What is next on your crafting bucket list? Are there any new techniques or designs you’re itching to try this year?
What’s next is always finishing my huge number of wips, I get really stressed about projects that I’ve left for years. In terms of trying new things I’m currently knitting my first Fair Isle sweater and I’m really excited to see if I’ll manage it! I would also like to crochet a garment this year, perhaps a hot pink cardigan. I’m also wanting to make the Magic Circles blanket by Janie Crow, which has been on my list for ages. Most of all I’d like to get my creative spark back – I haven’t been doing as much crocheting and knitting as I would have liked over the last year or so. I’m slowly getting back into so hopefully my love of all things yarny is about to return stronger than ever!
Thank you so much to Anna for taking the time to answer these questions today! If you’d like to discover more about her work, you can visit her Ravelry designer page and Instagram
Leave a Reply