knitting to keep my fi ngers busy while I think. I do
the more demanding tasks such as pattern grading
fi rst, and leave the sample making and photography
for when my brain starts to struggle. They’re the
things I enjoy most, too, so it feels like a treat before
I pick up the kids at 3.30pm. The rest of the day will
be about them, and I try to squeeze in a bit of
creativity before I collapse into bed at about 9pm!What are your favourite yarns or fi bres?
Rustic yarns, with their satisfying crunch and slightly
sheepy smell, are immensely comforting to me (I
have sensory processing issues, so the feel of a yarn is
really important). I thought the Harvest Hues by
John Arbon that I used for my Havet Shawl (page 72)
was just perfection. The texture and the depth of
colour is amazing. If I’m after something really soft,
I love the alpaca lace and mohair combo that pretty
much all of Scandinavia is going crazy for too!What is your favourite thing about
being a designer?
Being able to scratch that creative itch for a living is
amazing. I also fi nd it thrilling when someone buys
one of my patterns and makes something unique,
by choosing colours I’d never have thought of, or
playing around with the stitches. I really see it as a
collaboration between myself and the maker.Which other designers do you admire?
Kat Goldin and Helda Panagary. I think everything
Kat does is magic – the designs, the photography,
her writing, what she’s doing with her farm. Helda
has continued to whip up one stunning design after
another. The way she uses colours, and makes
everything look so elegant... I think it’s amazing.What are your plans for the future?
Poor health has forced me to take things at a slower
pace. I’d love to teach workshops, and work with the
council to make yarn crafts more accessible. I see it
all as taking the long road – my designs are of better
quality when I take my time, I continue to improve
diff erent skills, my Swedish is getting better.
Eventually it’ll all come together into something that
is sustainable in all senses of the word.Read Eline’s blog and fi nd more of her beautiful
designs at http://www.emmyandlien.comTell us about your life...
My husband, our two boys aged two and six, and
myself were all born in a diff erent country. For 18
years I moved every two years. Just over four years
ago, however, we came to the south of Sweden. It’s
beautiful here, the children are happy, and we’ve
made some wonderful friends. We live with our
kitten in a two-bedroom fl at with a tiny garden.How did you learn to crochet?
My mum taught me when I was six or seven. She got
me started on a dishcloth. Except that I kept going
and turned it into the longest scarf you ever did see!How did you get into crochet design?
I was actually more into sewing for a long time, but
after my fi rst child was born I decided I needed a
more portable craft. I found my old hooks and
bought a stitch dictionary, and just started playing
with stitches. From that came a few granny square
designs, and then a couple of garments for my son.
I posted the instructions on my blog and, to my
astonishment, lots of people liked what I’d done.Could you tell us a bit about Emmy + LIEN?
Emmy + LIEN is a crochet design label I started in- It marked a turning point in my career; I’d
burned out after post-natal depression and then
returning to work in a fast-paced fi eld. I decided to
start afresh. Having my own label has allowed me to
fi nd focus, work with great people, and produce what
I hope are wearable, high quality crochet designs.
How would you describe your design style?
I like clean lines, textures and whimsical details. My
designs refl ect my surroundings, so I veer between
pared-down colour palettes in the winter (Sweden
is very bleak for about six months of the year) and
feasting on fl orals during the warmer months.What has been your most popular design?
The Harvested Shawl, which came out at in
September, is probably my fastest-selling design.What is a typical day like for you?
My days are dictated to an extent by my health.
There are days when taking care of that comes fi rst.
When I’m able to work, I start around 7.30am. I’ll be
armed with a mug of tea, to-do list, and maybe someWe chat to Eline of Emmy + LIEN about rustic fi bres,
sustainable crafting and portable hooking.98 Inside Crochet
Above: Eline lives in the
south of Sweden and draws
inspiration from the stunning
environment around her.
Below: A couple of Eline’s
beautiful and wearable
pieces. She loves clean lines,
interesting textures and
whimsical details.
ELINE ALCOCER
CREATIVE CROCHET
“Rustic yarns, with their satisfying
crunch and slightly sheepy smell
are immensely comforting to me.”Above: Eline lives in the
➻FINAL THOUGHT