Hello, lovely crafter! It’s been a couple of months since I made a blog post, and so I wanted to make sure I checked in before the end of December. (Narrator: “She did not finish the post in December lol”)… It’s been a very interesting year, and a lot has been going on behind the scenes that I can’t wait to share with you. Enjoy this little 2024 recap celebration of the goings on in CypressTextiles land – thank you for reading!
Etsy Success!
Sometimes I find I have a tendency to just release patterns and then walk away, to move on to the next artistic endeavor. The joy in my work comes from first, designing, then making, and then sharing, in that order – so often I do rush through the sharing part.
I post on my website, I list in the shops, and then head back into my cave and start designing again, which leads to my shops being neglected at times, but this year I had an unexpected surprise in my Etsy shop.
20,000 Etsy Patterns Sold
This year, I made a big push in my Etsy shop because as I was looking over my stats, I saw that my sales number was close to 20,000 patterns sold. So with some help from my Instagram friends, my shop crossed the 20k sales mark.
I’m so proud, and grateful to have such lovely customers! It’s truly been a blessing to go from not knowing what I was doing starting a business in 2012, and then to end up where I am now. Thank you all! Sharing patterns with you is such a treat.
Star Seller – Eep!
Among all of this, I also became a Star Seller, which was unexpected as the criteria are quite strict, from speedy message response time to maintaining a high star rating. You may know that I do run this business while raising up four kiddoes (including three teenagers!), so answering messages speedily is a feat all on its own, but I’m just happy that I met the criteria and got the badge.
Most Popular Patterns of 2024
This year was a lot like last year when it comes to my most popular patterns. Everyone loved the same designs! Here is a look at the top three patterns of the year.
VVCAL Blanket Mega-Pack
Of course, my best seller is the VVCAL Mega-Pack because it is such a huge value. This one has topped my shop charts since I put the pack together in 2020. It includes my 2016, 2018, and 2020 VVCAL Blanket patterns. There are 5 PDFs included in the purchase, so that everything is together in one place.
You can find this one in my Etsy shop and my Ravelry shop as well.
Heirloom Collection Blanket
The Heirloom Collection Blanket was inspired by my extensive collection of blue and white ceramics, and the lovely fake plants that adorn my house. I can’t seem to keep real plants alive, but maybe in the future.. For now I made this design to commemorate my house-hold decor and it has been a wild success with you all!
There are several hexagon patterns, a few of which would make a lovely blanket all on their own, and then a super unique border that makes the whole work a great conversation piece.
Find this pattern in my Etsy shop or my Ravelry shop!
Color Riot Blanket
Color Riot was a sensation when I released it, and has been a non-stop seller since. I had so much fun creating this one, and seeing the results from you lovely lot making it has been icing on the cake. This piece uses the Scheepjes Terrazzo Colour Pack, but you can also stash bust with it, as it will make any random colors work well together.
You can find the pattern in my Etsy shop and my Ravelry shop!
So those were the top three designs sold across all of my shops! I’m so glad y’all enjoyed them.
New Patterns Released in 2024
Now I want to take a look a the new patterns I released this year. For a reason that I will get to later on, I have not been as active in releasing patterns this year, but I did manage to put out a few!
Fiesta Mandala Blanket
This was a pattern that was knocking around in my head for a while, and it was an absolute blast to work through the Stone Washed/River Washed Colour Pack to make this design. The motifs are huge, and it would be so cute with all of the motifs in the same color patterning, or in a monochrome scheme, like all sea blues, or something similar.
Find this pattern in my Etsy shop and in my Ravelry shop!
2024 VVCAL
Since this is an even-numbered year, I released a new VVCAL Blanket. The VVCAL (Vibrant Vintage Crochet Along) is a slow-paced twenty week crochet along, each with a theme. There are 35 motifs, a few joining methods, and a wide lace border, all free on my website! If you’re here, you have likely heard of it as this is the largest project that I create in my business.
2016, 2018, and 2020 were all made with square motifs, and 2022 and 2024 were made with hexagon motifs. 2026 will be made with hexies as well! Can’t wait to share that with you all next year. For now, check out the 2024 VVCAL!
Find this pattern in my Etsy shop and in my Ravelry shop!
Pink Pony Blanket
Utterly inspired by Chappell Roan and her incredible color palettes – and music! – I created the Pink Ponk Blanket this year. My favorite part about it is the way that the motifs come together in the corner to make this cute little plus sign shape. I also love how the use of the bobble circle on each motif in the background color really ties the colors together so you can use any palette and it will look amazing.
Find this pattern in my Etsy shop and in my Ravelry shop!
Thank you for reading through my year-end review, and now on to an announcement! (drumroll please!)
Big Announcement
I am working on another book of crochet patterns! This has been a huge feat through 2024 and that’s why I published fewer patterns than normal this year, and why IU have been MIA on this blog. One of my favorite things to do in my business is make blog posts and create new patterns, so it has been very tough, but the deadline is soon here, and I will be back to making self-published designs very soon.
As for the book, you can expect more of the same CypressTextiles designs that you’re used to, because I never stop feeling the creative urge to push boundaries in my works. Look out for it at the end of the year, and until then we’ll be having some fun in 2025 and crocheting as our little escape from real life.
In the meantime, you can check out my first book, The Art of Crochet Blankets – and enjoy!
Buy my pattern book – I wrote a super neat crochet blanket pattern book, published under Penguin Random House. You can buy it here!
Thank you so much for reading through my year-end recap! It was a blast putting everything together and I’m so proud to see how this year went. The thanks go to you all! I appreciate every single one of you, and it brings me joy when you look to my designs for your crafty time.
You may also enjoy:
- Treble Scallop Edging – Free Crochet Pattern
- VVCAL 2016 – Free Crochet Blanket Pattern
- Happy Little Tree – Free Crochet Blanket Pattern
Support My Work
You’re supporting by just being here! You can read my blog (Start Here!), like and comment on socials, and message me for a chat. All of this supports my work free of charge!
- Affiliate links – Shopping through my links supports me at no additional cost to you as I get a small commission through my affiliates. Jimmy Beans Wool // WoolWarehouse // Amazon.com
- Buy my pattern book – I wrote a super neat crochet blanket pattern book, published under Penguin Random House. You can buy it here!
- Browse my self-published patterns – I have over a hundred patterns on Etsy and Ravelry
- Creative Art Blanket Course – Check it out on Podia
Where to Find Me
- Instagram: @cypresstextiles
- Facebook Page: CypressTextiles
- YouTube Channel: Rachele Carmona
- Pinterest: CypressTextiles
- Tumblr: CypressTextiles
- Etsy: CypressTextiles
- Ravelry: Rachele Carmona
- Podia: Creative Art Blanket Course
