The Yarn Box
Two Sisters Bringing Free Crochet Patterns to Everyone!
Free online crochet patterns, we all love them, right? There are a bunch of free crochet pattern directories out there and they are all unique. However, one of my favorite crochet pattern directories is The Yarn Box. TYB was born on 12/01/12 and has grown in leaps and bound since then.
This pattern directory is unique because the browsing is image based. This means you can see the finished design for every pattern without having to click on anything to find it. This is a fantastic feature, especially when you only have a little while to browse for your next project.
Another thing that makes this directory unique is that The Yarn Box is owned by two sisters. Miranda of Work at Home Adventures and Corina of Stitch11. I recently interviewed Miranda to find out a little more information about The Yarn Box and the sisters behind it!
About the Yarn Box
Tell us a little about TYB. What do you do, when were you formed, etc?
TheYarnBox is a directory of free patterns. The site is managed by my sister, Corina of Stitch11.com and myself. Corina is a crochet blogger and I am a web designer/blogger. Last November (2012) Corina suggested we partner up to make a crochet directory site that would be visually easy to browse. We sat on the idea for a couple of weeks and ran through at least 1000 business names before TheYarnBox was born.
Why is TYB the place to go when you are looking for a pattern?
TheYarnBox is a great place to go for free crochet patterns because it is updated regularly, we have a wide variety of crochet project types and because we list all patterns with an image of the finished product.
For all my fellow bloggers, what is the best way to get your patterns featured on TYB?
There are so many factors that are involved when we choose which ones are going to be featured in either the CrochetLetter, in blog articles or through Social Media. Depending on the situation, it can often be really tough because there are just so many great patterns and designers!
However, the biggest factor for us is visual. Patterns that have a high quality photo are received better by our audience.
I love your round ups, what makes you choose certain patterns to be featured?
In the round ups we choose patterns that are relevant and visually appealing.
What type of patterns are you looking for?
Being a directory, we feel it is critical to have a large variety of patterns. We accept all patterns that are free and original.
What is the most popular pattern TYB has ever featured?
The most popular pattern in TYB is the My Little Pony crochet amigurumi pattern.
It was well received by crocheters looking for free patterns and it’s no wonder. It is a great pattern and even comes with instructions for a variety of ponies. You could make an entire collection!
What makes you unique from other pattern directories?
TheYarnBox is unique from a lot of directories in that we accept user submitted patterns and that we use visual search rather than text based. There are a lot of great directories online so we try to keep things as simple as we can.
Know let’s get to know a little bit more about the sisters- as told by Miranda
Corina of The Yarn Box and Stitch11
Miranda of The Yarn Box, Work at Home Adventures and Pin Tried It.
Do you crochet?
Corina is the crochet guru in our family. I have recently taken it up as I cannot sit idle watching all of these amazing patterns cycle through!
If so what are your favorite patterns to make?
I have been making things that are practical to use around the house. My very first finished project was a swiffer cover.
Corina loves making things for her 2 year old daughter, Ella. I think Ella is possibly her biggest fan. She treasures every single thing her mom makes for her. It has to be very rewarding for Corina.
Do you create your own patterns?
Corina does create her own patterns. She shares them for free on her site- Stitch11.com.
I do not make my own patterns. I’m still learning how to read them myself.
What other business to you own?
As you know, Corina runs her crochet blog. I run multiple websites. I began my blogging career with a site about working from home called WAHAdventures.com. I also run a blog with a friend where we test things we find on Pinterest. We call it PinTriedit.com. Additionally, I do small design and web support on the side.
It was a pleasure getting to know a little bit more about this great pattern directory and the sisters behind it. Be sure to check out The Yarn Box as well as Corina and Miranda’s other great blogs and websites.