Melissa Taylor began learning crochet by attending a beginner’s workshop and getting help from YouTube. However, her desire to design her own patterns and specialise in crochet flowers led her to the School of Stitched Textiles, where she found the perfect blend of advanced techniques and an accredited qualification. Our intermediate crochet course (Skill Stage 3) transformed her skills and boosted her confidence, enabling her to master hairpin lace, yarn dyeing, and Tunisian crochet, and even discover a newfound love for embroidery on crochet.
Melissa proudly shares her achievements, including delivering a 10-week crochet course at a Further Education College and launching her website. With a firm belief in her abilities and a clear artistic direction, she looks forward to creating her own designs and exploring the endless possibilities of embroidery on crochet. Melissa’s journey is a testament to the power of dedicated learning and the confidence that comes with mastering a craft. This is her #MyStitchJourney
Melissa Taylor
“The course has really opened my mind to what I can achieve if I put my mind to it. Since joining the School of Stitched Textiles, I have put together and delivered a 10-week crochet course at a Further Education College. As the qualification I was studying is accredited, this made me believe I was good enough to do it.”
I started my crochet journey several years ago after attending a beginners workshop, and immediately fell in love with it. From there I taught myself by watching YouTube videos, and completing cals. I learned how to read patterns as well as learning a variety of techniques. However, there was still so much more I wanted to learn. I was desperate to learn how to design my own patterns and develop my interest in crochet flowers, but I didn’t know where to start.
I also wanted to share my love for crochet by delivering workshops but I wanted some form of qualification to prove that I was good enough.
Finding School of Stitched Textiles
I researched various courses online and found the School of Stitched Textiles. Not only did they teach different crochet techniques but also offered a recognised qualification which nowhere else offered. Having read the reviews online and the amount of tutor support you get, I enrolled.
On the level 3 crochet course I have learned so many different skills, such as hairpin which I’d never heard of before. I also learnt yarn dyeing and Tunisian crochet which was completely new to me.
The course has given me the confidence to design my own patterns in different areas such as 3D, garments and a wall hanging piece which I created for my final assessment.
I have always wanted to give embroidery a go but never thought about embroidery on crochet until I learned it on the course. This was my favourite part of the course and it has really inspired me to explore it further: There is so much you can do with it like adding it to garments, blankets; the possibilities are endless.
Key achievements
The course has really opened my mind to what I can achieve if I put my mind to it. My teacher was very supportive throughout the course giving me feedback on how to improve, and she gave me the reassurance I sometimes needed.
Since joining the School of Stitched Textiles, I have put together and delivered a 10-week crochet course at a Further Education College. As the qualification I was studying is accredited, this made me believe I was good enough to do it. I have also had a website created ‘www.melissataylorcrafts.com’ which showcases some of my work from the course.
The level 3 crochet course has made me believe in myself and what I’m capable of when I put my mind to it. Especially with designing my own patterns, which I’m hoping to do later in the year. At the start of the course I was certain I wanted to design crochet flowers. However, I’ve now fallen in love with embroidery on crochet this is now something I’m hoping to develop further.
Advice for new students
I would highly recommend this course to anyone wishing to expand their knowledge in crochet. The support you get is excellent, and you will be amazed by the amount of things that you can create over the duration of the course.
My advice to anyone wanting to study a level 3 course is to make sure you set aside time each day to spend on your assignments. The course does involve quite a lot of work – especially with the write up – but its enjoyable work. You are never alone during the course as there are students on social media to you can talk to as well as emailing your tutor. My advice is to just go for it.
