"sometimes I don't crochet." @xallua

Dear Diary,

My name is Xenia and I’m a crochet pattern designer from Germany. 

I started posting in 2020 and gradually grew my following. I can’t really name strategies I used for showcasing my craft, I just posted what I liked / made. Knowing the platform you’re posting on is important, though. Instagram, for example, has seemingly shifted its focus from photo posts to reels, so my posting style has changed from when I started.

@xallua (2025) fluffy xunny... [Instagram]. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE2bYzstjW_/?img_index=1 (Accessed: 12 June 2025).

I started monetizing my crafts with amigurumi (crocheted dolls) and opened an etsy shop. Now I mostly sell crochet patterns. I think the biggest challenge was not to get demotivated by low sales. As a small business I am doing everything myself, from coming up with new ideas, crocheting them, taking pictures, posting and marketing. Monetizing a craft that I pour my whole heart into is weird, because low sales or post performances don’t mean that my art is “bad” but it can feel like that at times.

When it comes to social media trends, I think as a crochet pattern designer I am not under that much pressure to follow them. Of course I draw inspiration from current trends, but I try to come up with original designs rather than creating something that's trendy already. My creative process is mostly challenged by juggling what I want to create as an artist and what I want to create as a business.

One advice I’d share with other creative artists is: make sure to always put your passion first! Monetizing it can be hard and take away the joy of creating. If selling your art or craft is getting too exhausting, take a step back and create for yourself, not for the sake of selling it. Additionally, try to find a community with people who are in a similar niche. Being (virtually) surrounded by crafters and other artists helps me a lot.

Until then!

Xenia

Featured image: @xallua (2025) bouclé kitty scarf drop (sold out) ₊˚⊹♡₊ ⊹ [Instagram]. Available at:https://www.instagram.com/p/DAyfbOkO38S/?img_index=1(Accessed: 12 June 2025).