I'm Nina, otherwise known as Nancy Said. I work from my home studio in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland.
I learned how to knit and crochet as a child by watching my mum and granny. They'd sit together in silence, deep in concentration as they wove with their hooks and needles. It seemed like they inhabited a magical world and I was desperate to get in! They didn't seem to know the names of anything, so I taught myself to read patterns with books and sheer determination. I think my granny would be very proud of what I've learned, and that's why I gave my business her namesake. She was Nancy, my wee Granny Smyth.
Inspiration for my work comes sometimes from nature, but mainly from every day things I see around me. If it's plain, my mind instantly goes to how I could embellish. Plain sweater? I wonder how I could embroider the cuffs. Plain plant pot? What holder could I make? It's endlessly exciting but it's also a form of torture - plain items are everywhere!
Crochet has the power to still the mind, and it's a form of meditation and therapy for me, a chance to take a breather. And because of this I take care to write my patterns as clearly as possible. I think crochet patterns should be easy for everyone to follow, so that you can crochet with confidence and stay in the zen zone. Through my years teaching crochet, I've added all my notes for each pattern to guide you through any parts you might query, so that you never have to break rhythm. I've also recently started to create video tutorials for new stitches and there's plenty more of those to come. Making videos is a whole new challenge for me, but knowing the value for others is well worth it.
On the rare occasions when I'm not crocheting, I binge on science and history documentaries, a bit nerdy but it floats my boat. I've also taken up jewellery-making which is where the stitch markers come in. It’s a nice change from crochet, plus it's quick and instantly rewarding.
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for crochet patterns and inspiration, and watch my growing collection of crochet videos on YouTube. It would be great to see you there.
Welcome to my world of crochet!
Nina x