Jillian Culver learned to knit when she was age 7. She dabbled some but says it didn’t quite stick. In high school, a friend taught her how to crochet.
“My friend showed me this one stitch and I just started making beanies, scarves and different stuff. It was something I did while I watched TV or was bored,” says Culver, owner of Illjay Designs.
What’s the difference between knitting and crocheting?
“Knitting is using straight needles and crocheting uses one. When knitting, you have to keep all of your stitches on the needles or it will unravel. You can pick it up and go along wherever you want with crocheting. There’s a little more freedom in my opinion with that,” says Culver.
Crochet is a meditative art. It can be complex and time-consuming, especially for the novice.
Watch Jillian Culver teach the basics of crochet
Culver attended art school and studied painting and photography. But she always gravitated back to crocheting on the side. She found herself braiding yarn and string into her art, incorporating her love of crocheting into unique pieces of work.
The pandemic was a turning point for Culver, who was managing Zuri Coffee Co. in Truckee at the time. She utilized the time during the shutdown to start her business, Illjay Designs. She began crocheting wearable art. She created a YouTube Channel (Crochet with illJay), an Esty shop (illJay), a website (illjay.com) and an Instagram page (@_illjay_) to market her creations. In addition, Culver does all of her own photography and videography work. She has set up a booth at several craft shows, including the annual Made In Tahoe festival at Palisades Tahoe.
“I got such positive feedback for having beautiful and unique hair I began to make and sell sets of wool hair extensions. Each year I’ve hosted a hair braiding workshop at Burning Man. It’s become part of what I am known for now.”
–Jillian Culvern
Culver crochets capes and ponchos, halters and hats and Alpine beanies and beer mittens — some of her bestsellers. Need something to keep your pooch warm this winter? Culver knits custom dog sweaters, too.
“I love making dog sweaters. I knew someone who had a dog that lost his fur, so I started making him sweaters to keep him warm. They were a hit,” says Culver.
Culver’s dreadlock extensions are one of her top-selling products available through her Etsy shop. The colorful dreadlocks are made from sheep’s wool and come in a rainbow of colors perfect for dressing up, festivals or just for fun.
Crocheting Workshop
March 7-May 1 or May 2-June 26
Truckee Donner Rec & Park District | tdrpd.org
“The dreadlocks were originally inspired by the Burning Man culture. In my first year, I protected my long hair by braiding and adding in fun dreads and yarn extensions. The hairstyles I see on Playa are so inspiring. I could tell there was a market for it with a lot of potential and room for innovation. I got such positive feedback for having beautiful and unique hair I began to make and sell sets of wool hair extensions. Each year I’ve hosted a hair braiding workshop at Burning Man. It’s become part of what I am known for now,” she says.
Culver is passionate about designing and writing patterns for her creations. She makes each piece a couple of times to formulate the exact equation for her patterns, which Culver says takes countless hours to design and write.
“I’ve spent years crocheting and making up my own patterns from my head. I write them down, record and document them and then sell them. It’s very, very tedious,” she says.
Culver has realized newfound freedom in business for herself and is living her best creative life. | illjay.com
