Let's give a warm welcome to Janine, owner of Capital Crochet
All About Janine
Do you have a job outside of this?
Yes! I’m a Personnel Selection Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. I’m currently in training, but eventually I will be focusing on career counselling and occupational research.
What’s your dream vacation spot?
Someplace warm that doesn’t have spiders. Or at least where the spiders have no interest in me.
What’s your favorite color(s)?
I’m a sucker for grey, but I guess that’s not really a colour, ha! I like earthy colours, basically anything that’s not pastels.
What’s your favorite food/meal?
For a meal, it’s gotta be pasta. My husband makes the best ziti! For overall food, that’s a tough one. I love ice cream, don’t make me choose a flavour though, that’s just too difficult!
What’s your least favorite food/meal?
Mushrooms could disappear from this earth and I would be perfectly ok with that.
Do you have a favorite movie or TV show?
I love Home Alone (the OG, not the sequels). I watch it probably 10-20 times each Christmas season!
What’s a quote that you live by?
Not really a quote, but I like to remember that in all situations, there’s either something you can do to influence the outcome, or there’s nothing you can do. In either case, there’s no point in worrying about it (it’s easier said than done, but it has helped me many times!).
Do you have other hobbies?
I like to run and I recently started lifting weights, which I really enjoy.
What’s 1 (or more) weird/strange fact(s) about you?
I tore my ACL (knee ligament) a few years ago, and it was repaired with a cadaver ligament – so there’s a piece of a dead person inside my knee.
Do you have a favorite holiday?
Probably Christmas, because for me, it’s always the time of year that I can travel back from wherever I am to see my family. I love the food, I love the relaxed nature of the season, and I love the giving and sharing that happens.
Do you have a favorite season?
I love that short time in the Fall where the days are warm enough that you just need a sweater and jeans. The sun is warm but the breeze is kinda cool, it’s just comfortable. Here that lasts about 3 days, since we seem to go quickly from scorching to full on freezing.
What inspires or motivates you?
Two things: 1. setting an example for others (with social media and in real life, anyone could be watching me at any moment and be inspired by what I say or do, so I try to act in a way that would inspire me if it was me watching someone else, if that makes sense?); and 2. putting something into the world that wasn’t there before – that blows my mind!
If you could do one thing for the world (people or environment), what would it be?
I would tell every living thing in this world that there is a place for them, and that they are valued. In some cases though (lookin’ at you, spiders), the place is far, far away from me, and I value their absence from my field of vision.
All About Capital Crochet
How long have you been crocheting?
I started crocheted around age 10, super tight single crochet only, haha! When my daughter was born in 2014, I learned some other stitches via youtube, and my skills and obsession took off from there.
When did you start your business or hobby?
I started Capital Crochet as a business officially in 2020! But I started selling items in 2015, pattern testing and designing in 2017.
What’s your favorite thing you’ve made?
That’s like asking favourite ice cream – duh, they’re all good! Seriously, I don’t know if I can narrow it down.
What’s a piece of advice for someone just starting out in your field?
Set a clear boundary between looking to others as inspiration vice comparison. You can certainly aspire to be like so-and-so because you identify with them, but don’t expect yourself to take the same path or judge your success by comparing yourself to them. Everyone’s path is their own.
Does your company have a mascot?
No, but I love my little maple leaf logo.
What was your most memorable success?
Probably starting the tech editing portion of my business. I still have so much to learn but I am really enjoying honing my expertise in that area.
What was your most memorable challenge?
Also starting the tech editing! Imposter syndrome is very real and I often question if I’m good enough to be doing this, especially when I make a mistake.
How did or are you overcoming this challenge?
I try to give myself grace, and if I mess up I really look into the reason why, and make a plan so it doesn’t happen again. I also check in with myself often to see if I’m really doing the best that I can be. If not, I investigate that to see what’s holding me back, and see if I can shift my workload or priorities.
What’s next for your business (the future)?
I am starting to plan and focus more on my blog.
Newest Pattern/Design/Yarn/Etc.:
I have a few patterns in testing right now (Trident Tank Top and Lichen Lace Wrap) that will be released in July, and I have lofty goals for a few sweater patterns in the Fall!
What’s your latest project?
Something I’m really proud of is my Stitch Exploration Series on my blog. Every month, I share a dishcloth pattern using a new-to-me technique or skill.
Where did the inspiration come from for this project?
I found that when trying to come up with pattern designs, I often choose the same old stitches and it felt very boring. I started the series to force myself to try new things, and I’ve actually started to incorporate those new skills into future designs!
Have there been any challenges with this project?
Yeah, there are some things I’ve come across that I want to try that aren’t really compatible with the dishcloth theme. So those will have to wait until I have a little more time to do something else with them.
Will this be free or paid?
The Stitch Exploration Series patterns are published monthly, for free on my blog!
Where can we find this project when it’s finished?
https://www.capitalcrochet.ca/
Go and give Janine some LOVE! Like, share, or follow along on her journey through crochet and pattern design. Plus, check out those dish cloth patterns with her Stitch Exploration Series.
Remember, supporting Janine, is supporting a local maker’s dream.
Here are the links:
Instagram: @capital.crochet
Website: Click Here
Comment below if you have any questions for Janine or Capital Crochet.
And THANK YOU all so much for joining me along on this journey. Getting to meet and know all of these wonderful makers has been a blast.
xoxoxo, Lindsey