Focus: The Happi Hookers

The Happi Hookers
supporters of Knit and Crochet TN
and The Big Stitch

We are known as the Happi Hookers; grandmother (Patty), mother (Janice), and daughter (Jessica). We’ve been crocheting for generations. Patty was taught by her mother-in-law Aili Mahn at about 18 years of age, and she’s been crocheting and knitting for over 50 years. Janice was taught by a good friend and neighbor Jocelyn Berry, when they both had babies about the same age. She’s been crocheting for about 25 years. Jessica can’t remember a time when she wasn’t crocheting, as her mother and grandmothers (Patty and Jeannie Chryn) were always crocheting and had a great influence in teaching her. All of the women folk in the families are very crafty. From sewing, macramé, needlepoint, knitting – there isn’t a trade with string that we haven’t tied a knot into.

We all started out just making things for family and friends. People started liking what they saw and wanting one just like it. “Craft-a creative community” is a group we’ve been involved with that has helped us expand in the Nashville area. We’ve now grown to selling our creations at a variety of places, including the Nashville Farmer’s Market, the Flea Market at the TN State Fairgrounds, a monthly show in East Nashville, local church events, and by word of mouth. We’ve heard great things about Etsy and E-Bay, and will be looking into putting our creations on those sites as well. Patty is retired, while Janice and Jessica still work full time jobs. This is simply a hobby for all of us.

Each of us has a preference of yarn type and hook sizes that allows us to create a diverse amount of products and styles. Patty prefers the smallest to middle size of the hooks, specializing in beautiful Barbie doll clothes, doilies, holiday ornaments, and other items made in the smaller threads. Jessica utilizes mid-range hooks. She is fabulous when it comes to making clothing, such as halter tops, swimsuit cover-ups pullovers, ponchos and purses. She has recently finished three sweaters she got special orders for when they saw her wearing hers. Janice uses more of the middle and larger size hooks and makes afghans and rugs, some from fabrics and some from plastic bags as well. We have all of the above items, plus hats, scarves, table runners, dish towels/scrubbies, bottle holders/covers, scrunchies, market bags, tissue covers, etc… the list goes on and on. Customers give us ideas, or we see something we want to do, and put it on a list. We have a large list. To see our completed works visit our MySpace. You can also contact us via email at Happi-Hookers@hotmail.com.

We are looking forward to the next Big Stitch on October 24th. It is a great opportunity for us to meet fellow crafters and create new patterns, all while providing warmth and comfort to people in our community.

We’re hooked, yarned, and dangerous!!