Hi!
My name is Dedri and I would like to welcome you to Lookatwhatimade.
Before we talk about me, let’s talk about you quickly.
You are probably on this page because you are as passionate about crochet as I am (or as passionate about baking as I used to be). Whether your joy is yarn or cakes, I would love for you to walk away from this site having accomplished something; or to feel like a little child, running up to their mom or dad, squealing “Look at what I made!” I do not think there is anything better for the soul than a sense of accomplishment, no matter how small the “victory”, that’s why almost everything on this site is presented as a step-by-step guide (with a few of my own “Look at what I made!” moments thrown in for good measure).
What started out as an ‘anything-I-can-make-or-bake-or-fake’ blog 10 years ago has turned into a full-on crochet fest. Things have changed drastically! The most notable change is probably the fact that I have acquired two side-kicks to help me run this site; their names are Jenny, who helps me crochet and listens to my venting (you can read all about her HERE), and Jane, who helps me formulate my posts when I know what I want to say but not HOW I want to say it. Jane has recently started her own blog, which you can find HERE.
Nowadays, the website focusses mainly on crochet tutorials and designs – which are, in the main, free for your enjoyment. The main reason I offer my designs, tips and advice to you is that I am passionate about (and obsessed with) crochet. I believe it is not only a craft, but a life-saving panacea. It is my therapy and has kept me medication-free for more than 10 years (with one or two hiccups), and I firmly believe that it can help others too.
Kathryn Vercillo has written a wonderful book, ‘Crochet Saved my Life’ (available to buy on Amazon HERE), which contains a number of testimonials from people who have found crochet to be so much more than just a hobby. You can read more about this book HERE.
My 2015 CAL (crochet-along), Sophie’s Universe, is a case in point. I wanted people to feel amazing about their ability to create something so complex so easily, regardless of their skill level. I have had such wonderful, inspiring feedback about the project, and have been encouraging people to share their experiences using #alongcamesophie and #sophiesuniversecal2015. It is well worth taking a look at the pictures and testimonials; I am so proud of everyone who participated in this project.
And now…a little bit of history…
I am the proud mother of three gorgeous, whacky boys: Pieter, Jaco, and Xander. I am married to Christiaan, who is as handsome as he is funny – yes, really! This funny, handsome man has allowed me to teach him to crochet (you can read all about that HERE) and often helps me finish parts of projects when I am working to a deadline (he can only do US dc, mind you).
Expecting Xander March 2012
I work as a radiotherapist at Charing Cross hospital. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, I get to stay home with the boys. I am now 33 38 years old, and often find myself wondering where the time has gone!
Uys Boys 2015 and Sophie’s Universe
I spend every possible moment surrounded by, and immersed in, crochet patterns and colourful yarn.
I wrote my first crochet book in 2014: Amamani Puzzle Animals. You can buy the book on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. You can also read more about the Puzzle Animals HERE.
This book was recreated as a sewing version by Abby Glassenberg in 2015: Sew & Play Puzzle Ball Animals. You can buy it on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
Since then, I have collaborated on 3 more books:
- Big Hook Rag Crochet (2015) – Available from Amazon.co.uk (UK version) and Amazon.com (US version)
- Crochet Therapy (2016) – Available from Amazon.co.uk (UK version) and Amazon.com (UK version)
- Bold Baby Crochet (2017) – Available from Amazon.co.uk (UK version)
I have also published a book for my most popular pattern, Sophie’s Universe (which is still available for free online as an 18-part crochet-along HERE). You can read more about the Sophie’s Universe book HERE (including where you can buy a copy).
I am also an Official Scheepjeswol Blogger, which you can read more about HERE.
If you would like a non-invasive way to stay up to date with my site, consider subscribing to my Weekly Newsletter.
Alternatively, you can find me here:
Depending on where you choose to follow me, my interaction will differ slightly. My most “intimate” shares are probably on Instagram. My most frequent shares are on Facebook.
Happy Hooking and God bless!
Barbara Chesler says
I love your patterns! Do you also do videos on You Tube? I have a hard time following patterns, I taught myself crochet 50 years ago and have made so many afghans to give away! You Tube really helps me to figure out crocheting on my own.
Jenny Lowman says
Many of Dedri’s patterns have been worked up in the past by Esther of It’s All In A Nutshell. Most of the links are in the pattern descriptions :)
Kelinda says
My first Sophie is finished. She is large enough to cover the front of my car. She is made from yarn that belonged to my Mother. Sophie #2 is started. I am using the less vibrant colours from the garbage bag full of yarn.
#scenicsophie
Dedri Uys says
Your Sophie is beautiful, Kelinda. Thank you so much for sharing some photos with me x
Lori says
Hello, Dedri! This is a computer question, not a crochet question. I used to have a little icon on my computer screen that allowed me to create a printable PDF out of a long online document. So, for instance, if I found a free pattern I wanted but I didn’t want all the illustrations, etc., I could click the icon and create a printable PDF of just the parts I wanted.
I’m pretty sure I originally found this on your website. I had service on my computer recently and it disappeared, and I can’t remember what it was called or how to get it. Can you help me?
BTW, you do an absolutely smashing job on your blog and your crochet work.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Lori. It’s called PrintFriendly :) It is a very nifty little tool. Thank you for your lovely words, Dedri x
Kim Ward says
Dear Dedri,
Hello from SA and thank you so much for the gift of Sophie!
Today I will finish my first Sophie, a 50th birthday gift for my best friend in England, and just as I was feeling just a little bereft, you offer Charlotte! Yay – and thank you.
The blanket has meant such a lot to me over the months: a way to connect with the friend I am making it for (we chose the colours together, and I send her pics of the progress, the flowers I am making for her, with backgrounds of the various beautiful parts of SA I may be in…’I am crocheting a little bit of the Drakensberg in for you today, or here is Midmar Dam, or a row of red wine by the fire…”), as well as being something bright, challenging, creative, colourful, comforting and healing. I have loved every stitch and step of the journey. It has meant so much I have even written a poem (my first!) which I have photographed with my blanket and wanted to send to you, with gratitude.
Can’t see how to add a photograph here, so perhaps you can send me your email or whatsapp and I will send it that way… if things are all a little hectic with Charlotte starting, then no worries, just a huge thank you!! And so looking forward to the Charlotte journey!
Jenny Lowman says
Kim, we would love to see pics on the Facebook page, under ‘Community’.
Failing that, Dedri is @barbertondaisy on Instagram and I am @jennybugs66. You could post a pic there and tag it under #sophiesuniversecal or tag either of us!
Kim Ward says
so sorry but I am not on Facebook or Instagram
– I need an email address to send to please
Dedri Uys says
Hi Kim,
If you use the Contact Tab at the top of my website, you can send me an email. Upon my response, you can send me a photo. I hope that helps.
Dedri
Ann says
Hi D
Writing from Nelspruit RSA.
Have crocheted 3 Sophie’s universe. Would now like to crochet Charlotte’s universe.
Where do I obtain the wools etc in SA
Thanks
Ann More O Ferrall
Dedri Uys says
Hi Ann, there are many wonderful local yarns available in South Africa. My mom will be using Nikkim, and a friend of mine is using Moya. There are also some lovely cheaper alternatives (acrylic) around. I’ll ask my mom.
Elizabeth Truman says
Hi Dedri, I’ve used a one or two of your patterns before and looking for a tea cosy I came across your Lyme Regis Tea Cosy which I love and have the Inside Crochet issue it’s in. Then I saw your Floral Tea Cosy! It’s no longer available to purchase on eBay or Crochet in a Box. I understand why you couldn’t share it before but as it’s a while ago now, I wonder if you might now? Liz
Dedri Uys says
Hi Liz,
I do not own the copyright to the pattern, so I am not allowed to share it. It is available as part of the Little Box of Crochet Book HERE. I hope that helps!
patty k marsh says
Hi Deri, Happy birthday. My birthday was Saturday also on the 20th Of June. I love your patterns I have made several of them my favorite ar the animal puzzles. and Sophie.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Patty. Thank you and happy birthday to you too!
Eulalia Isabel says
Hola Dedri
, me encanta el chal.también tus niños,,,hermosos.
Afortunados padres con tres niños, disfrútalos , son tan hermosos los hijos, que cualquier tristeza se va, viendolos a ellos.
Linda familia.
Q bueno tus trabajos, a mi me encanta el ctochet , tengo un blog, y participo en muchos Retos, que organizamos las blogueras.
Tu blog es interesante.
saludos
Dedri Uys says
Thank you very much! They do make me happy :)
Maren says
Hi Dedri,
Week – I don’t even know any more how long – or COVID 19 lockdown. I struggled with anxiety at the beginning. My salvation has been the Ubuntu blanket, I came across it quite by accident when ordering some yarn to teach myself crocheting beyond square pot holders and circles.
I have now been working on it for weeks, picking it up every day. There was a lot of huffing and puffing involved at the beginning, I didn’t know any stitches besides double and triple crochets.
I am nowhere near finishing still but happy with my slow progress.
I count, recount, huff, unravel, re-crochet and know that at the end I will be very proud to have completed it. It will be the lockdown blanket, the thing that kept me sane.
I cannot thank you enough for the design, your patient voice with that lovely accent. And I’m glad I didn’t know before I started that it is an advanced design, I’d never dared starting it.
My daughter’s words, upon me having a bit of a hissy fit with anxiety: ‘I think you need to do some Dedri, mum, that’ll get you calm again’ (cheeky little madam!)
Thank you so much, take care of yourself, stay healthy and stay safe. Maren
Dedri Uys says
Hi Maren.
Thank you for your lovely message! I am so pleased that you DID pick it up. Any design, no matter how complicated, is just one stitch at a time, and now you will have the skills and confidence to do anything! I wish I could take credit for the lovely voice and videos, but those were done by the very excellent Esther from It’s All in a Nutshell. She’s the video genius that brings my patterns to life.
Take care of yourself and I hope you will be able to move about more freely soon.
Dedri x
Jamie says
Hi Dedri, thank you so much for sharing your crochet design to the world! I just discovered your site TODAY (!!!) as I’m looking for some easy-to-follow crochet projects that wouldn’t bore me as I’m a beginner who wants to also make something adventurous! Thank you so much for keeping Sophie’s Dream free and online :D This project really gets me excited and I can’t wait to start!!! Thanks so much again. All best wishes to you and your family, Jamie.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Jamie
I am delighted that this has brought you so much joy. I hope you enjoy every minute (even the occasional ripping out).
Dedri
Monica Bianchini says
Hello Dedri! I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your amazing work! I just finished Sophie’s dream and I am about to finish Charlotte’s dream. They are the most beautiful things I have ever made, so… really… thank you! Every day I try to find some time to plunge into yarn and forget all the rest. I can confirm that crocheting helps a lot in finding inner peace and makes you feel satisfied.
Unfortunately here in Italy crochet is not quite popular, so I only have a few people to share my passion with…
That’s why I appreciate what you do: it makes me feel connected to a very large community all over the world!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Monica.
Thank you for your lovely compliment :) I’m sorry to hear that you don’t have many ‘real-life’ crochet friends. I used to feel like that until, slowly but surely, I started meeting up with people I had met through this ‘large community all over the world’ as you call it. I, too, feel connected through the patterns. I sincerely hope you find some more crocheters in your area to share your passion.
Dedri
Helene Reichard says
Hi from Chicago, IL!
I have been subscribed to your blog for several months now and just need to tell you how beautiful your designs are. I have saved many for “one day”. This Sunshine Baby Blanket just took my breath away. Now I’m waiting for someone to announce that a baby is on the way so I have a good reason to make it.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Helene :) I’m so pleased you like it x
Ale Maranghello says
Hi! Dedri
I found your website and I am very happy about that. I often visit many pages of “crocheteras” (crochet girls) but i never found a person as generous as you. Not only you do explain in such detail that it really makes us learn how to, but you also allows us to download it for free. You are really great and I want to thank you!!!!
Beautifull projects. Excellent teacher. I believe you are a great human being.
I’ll follow u in Ig
See you
Ale Maranghello says
Follow you from the Andes Mountains where i live, San Martín de los Andes, Neuquén, Patagonia Argentina, a little town in the Cordillera de los Andes. :)
Dedri Uys says
Thank you very much. I try my best to be as helpful as possible, as it gives me the greatest joy to teach what I learn. I am really glad that you find my tutorials helpful.
Love
Dedri
Barbara says
I follow a big bunch of crochet sites, and love to print out the patterns that interest me. I certainly don’t need another one! But I AM going to follow you. WHY? Because you have a “print friendly” button for the patterns!!! It saves me paper and time, and I am very grateful!
yunsuk says
HI!
Do you ever imagine where I’m from? I’m Korean.
across the world , i reached your site how wonderful it is and iv read your post and felt so inspiring you are even share your all effort as free too.
how generous and beautiful, here is a lot of crocheter who takes your effort so thankfully.
thanks for your sharing!
Dedri Uys says
Hi :)
How lovely to meet you. Thank you for taking the time to comment on my website.
Dedri
Dedri Uys says
You can see what she looks like HERE :)
Michael says
Hi, I too learnt to crochet when we first got married as my wife was so hopeless and we needed baby clothes. I’m male and 72 years old now.i have crochet most of my life bot my brain is not working the best now but have started my own patterns to try and jog it back in gear.works very well but takes some time, I used to be capable of designing my own wedding dresses and baby outfits now I concentrate on blankets. I have a reasonable large family so did them all one for Christmas. About 33 of them. Not much else to make as we live in the tropics of Australia. It was great talking to you and tell your husband to keep crocheting. Michael
Claudia Ottonello says
Hola Dedri!!!! Soy de Argentina, me encanta tejer al crochet, lo aprendí de chica con mi abuela y ahora lo retome, cuando me hicieron abuela a mi, pero me gusta los desafíos y buscando material encontré tu blog, me interesa el desafío de Sophie, quiero q me acosejes q hilo me recomiendas, 100% algodón o mezcla, quiero hacerlo como colcha para la familia, que hilado tiene mejor vejez, l te sigo por YouTube los videos pero están en ingles por eso buscando llegue a este blog donde los bajo traducidos, espero tu consejo y te saludo desde Córdoba Argentina
Dedri Uys says
Hi Claudia. I would use a cotton/acrylic mix as it won’t be too heavy but will still wash and wear well. Dedri
Maria says
hello Dedri,
I was wondering, I want to make the large Ubuntu and was wondering, if I use a size 5 crochet hook then what weight is the yarn you recommend? is is thicker than the small Ubuntu recommendations?
Jenny says
The large Ubuntu uses chunky Stone Washed XL yarn and is a lot larger than the small which uses Cotton 8 yarn.
A 5mm hook is used for the large blanket, and I would say anything like Aran/Worstead weight and above is suitable. The stone washed xl yarn is lovely and makes a big weighty blanket.
Jenny :)