We’re back with another Designer Spotlight! This month, Alex caught up with the crocheter behind The Moule Hole – let’s see what they had a chat about! ⤵️🩷

Hi Nadia! Tell us a little bit about yourself – your background, general day-to-day life, hobbies…

As long as I can remember, I have always been drawn to anything creative. I grew up in Canada as part of a very large family. My mum was one of eleven children, so there were always lots of cousins around, plenty of noise, and music was a big part of family life.

Some of my favourite childhood memories are of spending time with my grandma in her garden, picking strawberries and raspberries. I think those early memories of family, music, nature and making things have stayed with me and shaped so much of who I am today.

I went on to study Music Composition and Theory at the University of Alberta in Canada, where I earned my degree. My main instruments are piano and violin. In many ways, I think writing a crochet pattern is quite similar to writing a piece of music. Every part has to work together, and every detail matters. Just as you have to carefully write down every note in a composition, you have to think through every stitch and every step of a pattern.

Outside of crochet, my biggest loves are still music and gardening, which feels very fitting considering how much both were part of my childhood.

When and why did you start crafting?

I remember being taught to crochet by both my grandmother and my mum, so crochet was a big part of my childhood. Like so many things we love when we are young, though, it gradually faded into the background as I grew up and became interested in friends, music and everything else that comes with being a teenager and young adult.

When I was 27, I moved to England to be with my future husband. I didn’t know many people here, and I had no family nearby, so it could be quite a lonely time. I found myself going back to something that had always felt familiar and comforting.

I relearned how to crochet through YouTube and started making blankets, partly just to keep my hands busy. Crochet became such a source of comfort for me during that period of my life. In many ways, it felt like returning to my roots and reconnecting with something that had always been part of me.

What can a typical day look like for you? We appreciate that two days are rarely the
same!

No matter what any given day has in store, it always starts the same – I like to get up early and enjoy a peaceful crochet session while the house is quiet. Then I check in with social media; since I’m active on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, there are always posts to publish and comments to reply to. It’s a lovely way of
feeling connected with the crochet world even when I’m by myself in my lounge!

Apart from that morning stillness, my days are quite dynamic. I’ve learned to become intentional with my time, balancing the more ‘fun stuff’ of crocheting samples and testing out new ideas with admin tasks like pattern formatting and video editing. There are never enough hours in the day, to be honest!

Do you have any specific inspiration behind any of your projects?

Living in the Cotswolds has completely inspired so much of my work. I love the feeling of this part of England. The honey-coloured cottages, old stone walls and beautiful English gardens can make it feel a little like stepping into a fairy tale.

When I design, I want my pieces to have that same timeless quality. I love the idea that something could have been made a hundred years ago or could still feel beautiful a hundred years from now. I’m always drawn to classic, vintage-inspired details and designs that don’t feel tied to a particular trend or season.

What does your creative process look like?

My creative process often starts with a piece of clothing I’ve seen, usually something knitted or sewn, and I immediately think, could I create a crochet version of that? From there, the idea usually starts to take shape quite naturally.

I’m also very much someone who designs for the moment I’m in. I find it quite difficult to design months ahead for a future season, because I’m usually inspired by what I’m seeing, wearing and feeling right now. It does mean that my patterns are sometimes released a little later than I originally planned, which can be frustrating, but I’ve realised it’s simply how my creative brain works. I like to live in the moment, and I think my designs tend to come from that.

Can you tell us some of your favourite colours you like to work with?

This one is easy. I’m always drawn to colours that seem to sit somewhere between two shades rather than anything too bright or too bold. I love soft, muted greens, dusty blues, gentle pinks and all those subtle, natural tones that feel a little difficult to name.

If you’ve spent time in the Cotswolds, you probably know exactly the kind of colours I mean. The landscape here has such a beautiful softness to it, and I think those muted, slightly faded shades have definitely found their way into the colours I choose to work with.

Does your home reflect your crafting passion?

Absolutely. My home isn’t filled with crochet, apart from a few blankets, but there are handmade details everywhere. I have a large painting I did hanging in our living room, macramé curtains in the entryway, and lots of little pieces throughout the house that I’ve made or chosen because they feel personal.

Whenever friends come over, they often say that the house feels so much like me, and I think that is one of the loveliest compliments. I really like the idea of a home feeling collected, creative and full of things that have a story behind them.

What designers are you loving at the moment?

I have always loved Mon Petit Violon. Before I started designing my own patterns, I made so many of her designs, and I still think she is incredibly talented. Her work has such a beautiful, feminine quality, and I have always loved the detail in her pieces.

I also really love Knitting for Olive. Their designs are so timeless and understated, and I’m always drawn to the soft colour palettes and beautifully simple styling.

I think I naturally gravitate towards designers whose work feels classic, thoughtful and made to last.

Do you have any tips for readers developing a passion for crafting?

Always do a gauge swatch if you’re making a garment. It really is worth the extra time and can save so much frustration later.

Choose the right material for what you’re making, and don’t be afraid to slow down and take breaks if something isn’t going quite right. Crafting is supposed to be enjoyable, and sometimes the best thing you can do is put it down and come back to it with fresh eyes.

And finally, crafting at midnight is rarely a good idea!

Describe your style in three words.

Timeless, heirloom, romantic.

If there’s a day when you’re facing a creative block, what are some of your go-tos to get your creative juices flowing again?

Getting outside is always the first thing that helps me, whether that’s going for a walk, a run, a bike ride or spending some time in the garden.

I’ve also learned not to force creativity when it isn’t there. There are always ebbs and flows in the creative process, and I try to make the most of those times when the ideas are flowing, while not giving myself such a hard time when they aren’t. Sometimes stepping away and giving my brain a little space is exactly what I need.

What are your future plans with The Moule Hole?

I think I’m at a bit of a crossroads with The Moule Hole at the moment. My children are growing up, and so much of my identity as a designer has been centred around children’s wear. It has made me think quite a lot about where I want to take the brand next and what I want this next chapter to look like.

There is also a lot changing in the crochet world, particularly with the rise of AI-generated patterns, and I would be lying if I said that didn’t make me a little nervous about the future of designing.

But I still love what I do so much, and every time a maker sends me a photo of something they have made from one of my patterns, it reminds me why I started in the first place. I think there will always be a place for thoughtful, human-made design, and I’m excited to see how The Moule Hole evolves from here.

Thank you SO much to Nadia from The Moule Hole; we’ve really loved getting to know you a little better. You can follow The Moule Hole on Instagram HERE, and you can shop all her patterns and yarn packs with us HERE.