(Images courtesy of Mom Made - Crochet Creations)
Ivy Larsen owns a small business, Mom Made – Crochet Creations, based out of the Tampa Bay, Florida area and is known around town as the Mermaid Tail lady. Her crocheted mermaid tails for children and adults have been a hit and have even been seen on the Facebook page of the world famous 
mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs. Read more about how Ivy started crocheting, how Alaska ties into her crocheting and how it makes her feel when people receive her crocheted creations.
When did you start crocheting? I learned the basics when I was 12 but I didn’t start getting into more advanced things until about 10 months ago. My aunt taught me when I was younger but it didn’t really stick until last year.
What made you take crocheting up after taking so much time off? My father-in-law was going to Alaska and my mother-in-law knew I could do basic crocheting. She asked me if I could crochet him a scarf because they couldn’t find one he liked. It started with that and then I re-discovered that I enjoyed crocheting. From there I started with baby blankets while I was pregnant and making stuff for my kids. I was posting what I made on my Facebook page and people started asking to order things! I got a request for a mermaid tail, posted it, received more requests and now it’s what I’m really known for. The whole thing kind of fell into my lap and turned into a blessing in disguise.
What inspires you when you are crocheting something? The joy that I know that I’m going to receive when I send things out. People message me with notes and pictures of their kids with their tails. When I’m crocheting I know people will get emotional in a good way. It makes me happy when other people are
happy.
What is your favorite thing about crocheting? I have bad anxiety so crocheting keeps my hands and mind busy and takes away from those anxious feelings I might have. When the kids are sleeping or when everything I need to get done around the house is finished, I crochet and it’s my ‘me’ time . I’ve integrated it into my morning routine and it’s become kind of a meditation time. I like the aspect of giving people things and knowing they’re going to use it for a long time. I see the joy other people get from it so that makes everything worthwhile.
You recently made newborn hats for the American Heart Association’s project Little Hats, Big Hearts. Why do you feel that donating your time and craft is important? It goes back to why I love crocheting - makes me happy. I feel like giving back to the community is something everyone should do and if you have the time and the means to do it, why not? I had some extra yarn and saw the post asking for donations. I like doing things like that.
Is there something that you would like to crochet but you haven’t yet? There are quite a few things! With all of the orders its taken a little bit away from my leisure crocheting. I started a temperature afghan for 2016. It’s one row a day and you go by the high temperature for the day. It only takes me about 30 minutes but it’s something for me. There are a few other little things such a cute hat and a couple other things I’d like to try in the next couple of months.
You recently tried an OttLite for the first time. What difference has it made in helping you to crochet? When I was working before I was using a standard light that you’d have on a computer desk. When you’re working with dark color yarns or white yarn it’s hard to see stitches. When I got the OttLite,compared to the regular light it was crazy different. I don’t know how I was able to crochet in the dark without it. The regular light is yellow and when you turn the OttLite on it’s a bright light and I can see everything. I use the OttLite to take pictures too and you can see colors more true compared if you were taking a photo without it. I think it’s a little misleading if I post a picture online and the colors don’t look the same as the real color of the yarn. I feel like pictures taken under the OttLite look like the yarn and someone won’t get a surprise when they get their package.
Where is your favorite place to crochet? In my room – I have kids so I keep all my yarn in my room and usually I’ll crochet in there. Sometimes I’ll crochet
in the car if my husband is driving. Anywhere I can really. I like to head to Starbucks sometimes to crochet. That turns into a lot of interesting conversations there!
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not crocheting? I’m a stay at home mom with a 4 year old and a 2 year old so I spend a lot of time with them. We do lots of arts and crafts. My 4 year old likes cooking and baking so we do that too.
For more information about Mom Made – Crochet Creations, you can follow Ivy on Facebook where she takes custom orders and also on Pinterest.
You need to
login to comment.
