At Swiss Crochet, we love celebrating creativity. In our Meet the Maker series, we highlight designers and makers whose passion, skill, and imagination bring the craft to life. Each feature introduces you to their story and showcases the stunning work they create.
Let me introduce you to Linda Skuja, the creative force behind beautifully textured crochet designs.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m originally from Latvia, where much of my inspiration still comes from – the sculptural forms, traditional craft heritage, and the rhythm of Baltic textures. I’m based in Riga, and this is where I design, swatch, sketch, and photograph most of my work.
My career as a designer has grown out of a deep love for creating modern textural crochet garments. I’m the author of the book “Crochet Sweaters with a Textured Twist,” and my patterns have been enjoyed by makers all over the world.
I’ve collaborated with yarn companies, taught workshops, and developed a portfolio of designs that balance artistry with wearable comfort. One of the biggest highlights of my career has been connecting with crocheters everywhere – seeing my patterns come to life in their hands is endlessly inspiring.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about the future.
My next crochet pattern book will be published in 2026, featuring 12 new garment designs that continue my exploration of texture, structure, and contemporary crochet fashion.
I also plan to teach across European yarn festivals, sharing techniques, construction approaches, and my passion for crochet textures with makers in person.
Where in your practice do playfulness or experimentation appear most naturally?
Playfulness and experimentation show up most naturally when I finally sit down with yarn and a hook and let myself explore.
Swatching is where everything begins for me – endless little variations, textures, and ideas worked out stitch by stitch.
Sometimes I dedicate an entire week just to making swatches. Some of them are simply things I need to get out of my system, and others grow into full designs.
Either way, that hands-on, open-ended exploration is where my creativity feels the most free.
What has been the most transformative skill or lesson you’ve learned since you began creating?
One of the most transformative lessons I’ve learned is that crochet garments don’t have to be stiff or bulky.
Experimenting with new yarns, techniques, and stitch combinations showed me that, with the right materials and thoughtfully chosen textures, crochet can create pieces that are not only beautiful but also drapey, soft, and incredibly wearable.
Realizing this was a complete game changer for me – and I hope it helps shift the way the whole crochet community thinks about what’s possible with our craft.
If you could preserve one aspect of handmade culture for future generations, what would it be?
I would preserve the spirit of innovation. Tradition is important, but if we only repeat what’s already been done, the craft can’t grow.
Crochet has so much untapped potential – so many textures, forms, and techniques still waiting to be discovered.
I truly believe that by staying curious and pushing boundaries, we can ensure that crochet continues to evolve and has an exciting future ahead.
