Meet The Maker Blog Series - Leighann

Behind every stitch, skein and handmade creation is a story waiting to be told.

Our Yarn Me Calm Meet the Maker series celebrates the talented and creative members of the Yarn Me Calm Community who express themselves through fibre arts. From knitting and crochet to weaving, felting, spinning, dyeing, and beyond, these makers bring unique skills, experiences, and perspectives to our community.

Through a series of questions, we’ll explore their creative journeys, discover what inspires them, learn about their favourite projects and materials, and gain insight into how making fits into their lives. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, curious about different fibre crafts, or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind handmade work, we hope these conversations help you connect with the wonderful people who make our community so special.
Grab your favourite project, settle in, and join us as we get to know the makers behind the stitches.

1.  Tell us a little about yourself and where you're based.

Hello, my name is Leighann. I'm 60 (mind your own business) years old. I've been married for 42 years, and I'm the mum of 3 adult children and a granny of 6 real beaut grandchildren. I live in South Maclean, Queensland. 

2.    How did your fibre arts journey begin, and what first inspired you to pick up a hook, needle, spindle, loom, felting needle or other fibre related tool?

Yarn was around me a lot as a child. My Mum was one of 13 children, so crafting of all sorts was everywhere it seemed. At around 14, and at the kitchen table, Mum gave my Sister and I a lesson on how to crochet a continuous granny square blanket. I don't think I was as keen as Mum would have liked me to be. Many years later, when my first grandchild was born, my crochet really took off and I started to truly enjoy it. 

 

3.    What fibre craft do you primarily focus on, and what draws you to it?

Crocheting is my favourite craft. Taking a ball of yarn and turning it into fabric with only a hook drew me in with amazement. 

4.    Do you remember the very first project you completed? What was it?

The first projects I remember finishing were baby blankets, jackets, and baby beanies. 

5.    What is your favourite fibre to work with and why?

A favourite fibre I enjoy using is our wonderful cottons we have available here in Australia. Cotton suits Queensland's tropical weather really well. I've made many cotton projects over the years. 

6.    Describe your creative process from idea to finished piece.

For me, the photo of the design has to grab me first. Then I think about the colour palette I'd use, and whether I can use something from my extensive stash. I would describe myself as a "take my time crocheter" who does not like to have multiple projects started at the same time. Two at most keeps me comfortable. 

7.    Where do you find inspiration for your designs or projects?

The internet and the craft groups I attend are my greatest inspiration for what's next on my hook. 

8.    What role does colour play in your work?

Colour is everything to me. I love all colour, though I did notice after being at a yarn market and putting away my hand-dyed yarn purchases that I've bought the same two colours over and over again. Do others find this happening? 

9.    Do you have a favourite tool, piece of equipment, or "can't-live-without" accessory?

It took me ten years of trying lots of brands of hooks to find my forever hook. I prefer a short handle, so the Clover Soft Touch are a winner for me. 

10. What project or achievement are you most proud of so far?

This is a tricky one. I fell in love with amigurumi projects as I was creating them. Erinna Lee patterns taught me tips and tricks to bring them to life. It's something I will forever enjoy making. 

11. Have you ever had a major crafting disaster or mistake that taught you something valuable?

I've had a few, no make that a lot of disasters crocheting. I put them down to learning a skill. My cousin once asked if I'd make her an adult mermaid tail blanket. Remember when they were a hot item? I got to 5 rounds from finishing and frogged the entire blanket to start again in a different stitch. I learned to listen to myself quicker. I was super happy with the end result. 

 

12. What does a typical day in your creative life look like?

Crochet is never far from my thoughts and it is what I do in the quietness of my evenings. I attend many craft groups, though, if you know me, I can chat the entire time and not crochet a stitch (hahaha). 

13. How do you balance creativity with the practical side of making, teaching, selling, or exhibiting your work?

For me it's about giving all the sides of creativity some time: looking and selecting the perfect pattern, making notes on yarns and colours. That's where the joy begins. 

14. Who has been the biggest influence or mentor in your fibre arts journey?

Every craft person that I get to sit a while with or talk face to face with inspires me. If a crafter is passionately talking about a craft that I've never tried, I'm giving them my full attention. Clare Sullivan from Crochet with Clare has been a huge influence on me right from the time I picked up my hooks to craft for my grandchildren. Now I'm so thrilled to call her a friend. 

15 .What do you enjoy most about being part of the fibre arts community?

This one is a no-brainer. The fibre community is where I feel most at home. Like-minded people bouncing off each other's knowledge, sharing our successes and failures, learning new techniques and meeting the most generous people is infectious. 

16. If you could learn any new fibre-related skill tomorrow, what would it be?

I've always been fascinated with felting, both types: 1) where you make an item with natural wool and wet felt it; 2) the needle felting with fibre and stabby stabby needles. 

17. What advice would you give someone who is just starting out?

Listen up, newbies: take your time, there's no rush needed. All the skills are right with you in those beautiful hands. Look after

18. What are you currently working on, and what excites you most about it?

I like to, and try my best to only have two projects going at any time. One quick and one longer project. Right now I have a beanie for my hubby almost finished and I have a new-to-me technique blanket going also for the hubby. 

19. What do you hope people feel or experience when they see or use something you've made?

I would like to think those receiving a finished crochet item from me would take away the love and thought I put into the project, and that they don't feel the cuss words I may have used if it didn't quite go smoothly

20. Just for fun: if your creative style had a name, playlist, or theme song, what would it be and why?

Soundtrack: _Like a Bat Out of Hell_. Sometimes my creative brain goes fast and furious. Especially when I'm around the same sort of people. We tend to bounce off each other's energy. 

Bonus Rapid-Fire Questions

• Tea or coffee while crafting? 
  • Coffee

• Natural fibres or blends?
  • Either

• Early bird maker or night owl creator?
  • Night Owl Crafter

• One colour you can never resist?
  • Green

• Current work-in-progress count?
  • Too Many

• Favourite fibre festival or event?
  • Conventions

• What's always in your project bag?
  • Scissors

A heartfelt thank you to our featured maker, Leighann, for sharing her story, creative journey, and a glimpse into her fibre-filled world.

One of the things we value most at Yarn Me Calm is the diversity of experiences, skills, and passions within our community. Every maker brings something unique, reminding us that there is no single way to create, learn, or find joy through fibre arts.

We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Leighann and perhaps discovered a little inspiration for your own creative adventures along the way. Keep an eye out for future Meet the Maker features as we continue to celebrate the talented knitters, crocheters, weavers, feltmakers, spinners, dyers, and fibre enthusiasts who make Yarn Me Calm such a welcoming and vibrant place to belong.

Cheers Andrea x