Oh my yarn-loving heart — what a treat this episode was!! 💫
If you’ve been hanging out with me on the Craftcast for a while, you already know how much I adore today’s guest… the ever-fabulous Tamara Kelly from Moogly Blog! And yes, she’s BACK, and yes, I was just as giddy and giggly this time around as I was the first time we chatted. Honestly, this conversation felt like warm tea, soft yarn, and a cozy blanket — all wrapped into one sweet creative swirl.
Fangirl Vibes & Blanket Stories
Tamara and I have a special history (she might not know how special, but trust me — it’s special). Years ago, her crochet-along blanket project totally reignited my passion for the hook. I followed her color palette exactly — bold, tropical, and just pure joy in yarn form. That project became a gift for my son (who at the time totally didn’t get it). BUT YEARS LATER… he totally did. Redemption!
We laughed about how long it sometimes takes for people to truly appreciate handmade gifts (especially when you spent MONTHS on them...ahem!). And Tamara shared how she manages to let go of some of her creations — while also hanging onto the important ones for reference, future measurements, or just plain sentimental reasons.
Tamara's Crochet Wisdom: What I Learned
Here’s what I loved about this conversation — Tamara is not only incredibly talented (like, hello — she makes squishies, sweaters, blankets, housewares, AND writes her own patterns), but she’s also deeply passionate about the process of crochet.
Some gems I took away:
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She loves mixing things up — having an easy “Netflix and stitch” project in one hand, and a challenging, math-heavy pattern in the other.
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She’s always learning. Always. There’s so much still to discover in crochet (I mean… bio crochet?! I had no clue and now I need to Google that immediately).
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And y’all, she LOVES color. Bright, beautiful, mood-lifting COLOR. It’s her playground, and you can tell how much joy she gets from experimenting and pushing boundaries.
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Freeform crochet? She’s all about it. It's coming back in style, and she’s pumped to explore it creatively — no rules, just vibes and stitches!
What You’ll Get from This Episode
This episode is like sitting down with your two yarn BFFs — full of laughter, stories, and creative fire. Whether you’re new to crochet or have calluses from your decades of stitching, here’s what you’ll love:
✅ A peek behind the scenes of a full-time designer’s creative world
✅ Encouragement to keep learning and embrace the unknown
✅ Inspiration to gift your creations — even if they’re not immediately appreciated
✅ That wonderful reminder that making art is always worth it
Thanks for stitching along with me, friends.
Until next time — keep creating, keep giggling, and always… stay squishy 💕
Love + yarn,
Joleen 🧶💕
PS: 🎥 Watch the full episode below:
Guest Bio
Tamara Kelly is the powerhouse behind MooglyBlog.com, an award-winning crochet website packed with fabulous patterns, step-by-step tutorials, and crafty goodness for makers at all levels. She's a global instructor, book author, and design genius, known for her colorful and approachable style. Whether it’s squishies or garments, Tamara brings joy to every stitch.
Follow Tamara
Episode Chapters with Timestamps
[00:00 – 03:00] – Weather Woes & Realness
[03:00 – 08:30] – Meet Tamara: Return of the Queen of Crochet
[08:30 – 15:00] – Blankets, Fan Moments & Son's Late Realization
[15:00 – 22:00] – Designing, Donating, and the Life of a Yarn Artist
[22:00 – 28:30] – Favorite Projects, Comfort Crocheting & Color Play
[28:30 – 28:59] – Freeform Crochet & The Endless Learning of the Craft
[29:00 – 30:59– Color Play & Creativity
[31:00 – 33:59 – Bio-Crochet & Freeform Fun
[34:00 – End] – Wrap-Up & What's Next
Quotes from the Episode
"Every time I sit down to crochet, there’s something new to discover." – Tamara Kelly
"Crochet isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way to calm the chaos and create beauty." – Joleen Emery
"We are never done learning. Even after decades, crochet keeps surprising me." – Tamara Kelly
"There’s always something new in crochet, and that’s what I love." – Tamara Kelly
"Some projects are just too precious to give away. They hold my time, my thoughts, and my heart." – Joleen Emery
Resources and Links
🧶 MooglyBlog.com – for patterns, crochet-alongs & tutorials
🌐 Crochet Guild of America – Tamara's teaching retreat
🛠️ Upcoming CALs (Crochet-Alongs) – Watch Tamara’s blog for announcements
🔍 Curious about Bio-Crochet? Tamara mentions it as a trend she’s excited to explore!
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