About

Hello… 🙂

My name is Eleonora and I am passionate about crochet! I am half Dutch, half English and I live on the south east coast of England with my husband, three teenagers and a Miniature Schnauzer called Salty.

In my day job I work part-time as a nurse in the NHS but by night, and in any other spare time, I am a crochet designer! 🙂

I started this blog in 2015 as a way to share my passion for crochet with others. And what a creative, crochet filled and inspiring journey it’s been since then!

I design all kinds of crochet but my annual blanket crochet-alongs have been the most popular. The crochet-alongs have become worldwide community events and my blanket designs have been made by many thousands of people from over 50 different countries. There’s a thriving Facebook Group ‘Coastal Crochet’ which everyone is welcome to join.

As a crochet designer and crochet blogger I draw so much inspiration from the sea and coastal surroundings where we live although I can be very versatile in my designs and will happily veer away from the gorgeous coastal colour palette if needed!

And in 2021 I feel very honoured to have been shortlisted for two awards in the Let’s Knit ‘British Knitting and Crochet Awards’ 2021! I’m truly grateful and thankful to every one who nominated me for ‘Most Iconic Crochet Designer’ and ‘Social Media Superstar’! https://www.letsknit.co.uk/awards

Crochet has always been a part of me, it really has! My mother crocheted her own wedding dress in 1974 and I was wrapped in crocheted blankets soon after I was born. I really did grow up in a ‘handmade home’ with little crocheted curtains above the windows made by my mother and grandmother (very popular in The Netherlands in the 1970’s), there were crocheted pot holders in the kitchen, my cardigans and jumpers were knitted, school dresses sewn and toys crocheted!

So it was a natural progression for me to be a crafty person into adulthood…

I have crocheted for many years having initially learnt in my childhood and more recently undertaking the International Diploma in Crochet  As a result my crochet designs are very varied and I have enjoyed using a variety of crochet techniques including Tunisian crochet, Broomstick crochet and Filet crochet. I love sharing my passion for crochet with others and enjoy teaching and hosting crochet workshops, writing this blog and sharing photos on Instagram and Facebook

I have had many designs published in crochet magazines including ‘Simply Crochet’, ‘Inside Crochet’ and ‘Crochet Now’.

6tag_310117-180558I love crochet! I love how it looks, I love its versatility and more than anything I love to actually do crochet.
A craft I can take anywhere with me and the joy of gradually seeing each stitch transform the yarn in my hands into something beautiful.
I also love to live by the coast and am constantly inspired by my coastal surroundings.

So Coastal Crochet is born…

58 comments

  1. Hi Eleonora, my name is Jayne and I also live on the coast in Wales. It is a coincidence that I am also doing the international diploma. So far I have submitted 5 swatches and am working on next batch as well as crocheting presents for Christmas. Love your blog

    Reply

      1. Hi
        Sorry I’m not very good at this. I want to hear about your CAL and I saw you said subscribe to your blog. I’ve looked at it but can’t work out how to subscribe!

        Sorry for being dense! Xxx

      2. Hi Elizabeth… when you’re on the home page of my blog there’s a tab that says ‘Follow Blog by Email’… just fill that in and you’ll get an email each time I publish a new post. If you’re looking on a phone or tablet you have to scroll down a little way. If you’re on a home computer it will be to the right of the screen… good luck! Do let me know if you need anymore help… 😊❤️

  2. Hi Jayne, Thanks for getting in touch, it’s lovely to hear from you! Hope you’re enjoying the course. It’s been really good for me so far, making me crochet in ways I haven’t tried before. My grandfather, whom I never got to meet, came from Wales…😊 stay in touch!

    Reply

    1. Hello Eleonora,
      Many thanks for the opportunity to join in your CAL Beachcomber rug. It is so beautiful. Soon to finish first square. I also live coastally at Encounter Bay , South Australia. Many congratulations on a fantastic website.
      All the best ,
      Barb Harrington

      Reply
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  6. Just found your blog (you left a message on another well known blog, so I thought I’d take a peek!). I love your crochet and coastal pictures. I like the way you take photos of yarn with the sea in the background 🙂 I didn’t even realise there was a crochet diploma, so I am going to look into that! Keep up the good work (how do you find the time?!).

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for stopping by! I appreciate your kind words and am glad you like my coastal crochet.. 😊❤ Finding time is not always easy but because I love crochet so much I do try and make the time whenever I can! 😊 😊

      Reply

  7. Hi Eleonora, just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Liebster award. I couldn’t find your contact page.

    Reply

  9. Hi Eleonora, I have only just responded to your message on Instagram – sorry it took me so long – I’m new to Instagram and haven’t got the hang of it yet. I don’t seem to get notifications of comments left. So much to learn!

    Reply

  10. Hi Eleonora, I am Sue also on the South Coast )in sunny Sussex. I hope you don’t mind I have just started blogging and have mentioned and linked to your blog as I love the idea of the seaside blanket. Love your blog btw!

    Reply

  11. Hi Eleonora,
    Your blog combines three of my favorite things: Mini Schnauzers, the beach and crochet. I’ve been looking for a crochet Schnauzer applique pattern but I can only find Scotties or Schnauzer amigurumi patterns. Would you either have one or be able to write one? Here is an example of the silhouette:

    https://www.amazon.com/Miniature-Schnauzer-Dog-Breed-Silhouette/dp/B00KUYHNAQ

    I am in the U.S. so we have the “nub” for a tail 🙂
    Thank you!
    Layne

    Reply

    1. Hi Layne… lovely to hear from you! We have a love of similar things for sure! Crocheting a schnauzer has been on my to-do-list for ages but I have just never got round to it… I suppose because I was thinking of an amigurumi one. So an appliqué would be fabulous! I do love a crochet challenge so will see what I can come up with – just give me a little time!! 😊😊😊

      Reply

      1. I can see you are very busy as well as talented, so no rush! I am fairly new to crochet and love making baskets. I wanted to make a basket for Heidi’s dog toys and embellish with a Schnauzer. Also, I saw a really cute garland of Scotties and of course thought of making one of Schnauzers in Christmas colors to string on the tree.
        Salty is adorable! You have inspired me to make the same bandanna for Heidi.
        Thank you!
        Layne

  12. I’m searching for inspiration to create a wedding gift -blanket or throw – for a friend who loves the sea and is having a beach-themed wedding. So happy to find your lovely blog! Thank you!

    Reply

  13. HI Eleonora,
    I have jut discovered your webpage and I love the designs that I see.
    One quick question, I live in the United States and I wanted to know your designs or the book 100 Colorful granny squares to crochet are difficult to follow. I know that UK uses some symbols that are different
    Although the way they spelled ‘colorful’ without the u is American.

    Reply

  14. Hello Eleonora my name is Lisa and I am currently working on the beautiful Marilla the mermaid. I am having a bit of trouble with understanding the first instruction of the tail fin. Could you help me?

    Reply

  15. Thank you for your quick response. I am having trouble with row 1 for the tail fin where it says 2dc around st to side of row 21, etc. I am not sure how to do this or maybe I am misunderstanding what to do. Thank you

    Reply

    1. Hi Lisa, it means that you need to go around the post of the stitch at the end of row 21 as you are crocheting into the sides… so crochet 2 dc stitches around the final treble st which is at the end of row 21… then continue along…. there should be a photo in the pattern booklet showing this bit… hope that makes sense! 😊💙

      Reply

  16. It does! Thank you so much. I am enjoying making Marilla. Your work is beautiful❤️

    Reply
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  18. Hi Eleonora
    Many many thanks. I have just completed your beachcombing blanket. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed doing it. All the support tools, patterns, photos and videos meant that it was really easy follow. In these strange times it was wonderful to have such a bright creative project to work on.
    Best wishes
    T

    Reply

  19. A friend shared your blog on Facebook and I’m obsessed with ocean everything.
    Right now I’m creating an ocean theme for each room in my home.
    The coastal coaster CAL caught my eye.
    I’m beyond excited to see what my own crochet skills can create for my decor with your guidance.
    My grandmother taught me to crochet as a preteen and I’ve been down it for the last 46 years. My grandchildren love my crocheted blankets.
    Thank You for sharing your joy of yarn creations!

    Reply

  20. Hi Elenora, We have just bought a little cabin in Nambucca NSW Australia and I saw your Beachcomber rug. I have bought the pattern and I would like to make it a little bigger. I can’t find information on how big the squares are, could you tell me please

    Reply

    1. Hi there… it depends what yarn you’re using. My acrylic square measured 26cm x26cm. My cotton one was 23cm x23cm. The blanket is fairly simple to make bigger. The squares are all joined early on and then panels and finally a border is crocheted all around them. At that point it’s easy to make the blanket bigger. You could make more squares but the stitch count will be out for the side panels and that will require a little more adjusting. Good luck and enjoy!🙂💙

      Reply

      1. Thank you so much. I have joined the Face Book site and am quite excited. I will master buying from the people who support you eventually. For this one I can’t wait. Cheers

  21. Hi Eleonora I truly love ALL of your designs I have made all of ur blankets I have finally started the beac combing one – as well as doing yr CAL picnic on the beach – just had my box for yr CAL picnic by the river – ur designs are amazing- my 1sr was the sunset blanket Sept 20, then did the changing tides, then did seaside stash, – I have now inspired a friend to pick up her hook and she is loving your patterns.Oh I have made 4 sunset blankets on my 5th one ……. happy Easter 2021 🥰

    Reply

  22. Hello. A woman on a crochet site posted a beautiful blanket she is making….”call the midwife” and gave you credit fir the pattern. Beautiful. She said to Google Seaside Stash Busting Blanket and the pattern would come up. I am seeing a blanket, but not the one she is making. The blanket that comes up is the one that you are holding in one of the above pictures. Can you direct me to this particular blanket? Thank you so much!

    Reply

  23. Eleonora, Many many thanks for the fabulous Picnic on a Beach CAL. I soooo enjoyed making it. I love the way you make it an experience with your photos, stories and the music from your son. I did the beachcombing blanket during the summer which was great. However, this time doing the new blanket in as the pattern was released and following the facebook community was fun. You are amazing the way you have shared your gifts so generously.

    Reply

  24. Hello! I am new to all of this, and excited about learning new stitiches. In regards to the costal blanket, you have cast on 180 stitches, I don´t want to make it as big, a little small for a child. How many stitches shoulf I cast on to ensure I can still crotchet all the patterns: cheers, sharron

    Reply

    1. Apologies for delay in replying Sharron… I haven’t based this pattern on a stitch multiple. Because I designed it as we went (it was a 35 week crochet along), I adjusted each row to keep consistent with my 180 sts. But many people have done it smaller or bigger…. so long as you keep consistent with your chosen stitch count and adjust the turning chains accordingly (as you may start and end with a different stitch to me) it will work… good luck! 😊
      Very Best Wishes,
      Eleonora

      Reply
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  26. Hi Eleonora. I was wanting the pattern to make the Easter eggs and I have tried and failed miserably to download it. I was hoping it was here but if it is I can’t find it. Do hope you can help Gill Xxxxxxxxxx Ps looking forward to the postcard CAL xxxxxxxxx

    Reply

  27. Hi Eleonora…I am very new to the crochet journey and loving it. Been trying ( & giving up) since I was about 7…I am now 58 😂. I love your coastal crochet. I also live near the south east coast and work as an anaesthetic ODP in the local NHS. I often hope to bump into you on one of your seaside photo sessions when out walking …I really want some crochet help/lessons to further my new hobby from just straight lines of treble!!! Can you help at all please? X

    Reply

  28. Hello Eleonora!
    I’m fairly new to your page, group, fans. I love the designs I’ve seen of yours. I searched out your bio when you posted the lovely sunset. My youngest daughter was at the beach in South Carolina this past weekend and I wondered where you were.

    I grew up in a couple of tiny towns in the southwestern tip of Virginia, USA. Becoming friends with people from all over the world is one of my great pleasures.

    I was also intrigued by your name. My sister is Lenora. Both your name & hers are unusual here in my little corner of the world.
    Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and nice to meet you.

    Teri

    Reply

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