This month we’re delighted to share the work of Kendall Perez, the pro maker behind KP Crochet Creations. Kendall has a knack for creating the sweetest plushies and patterns! What started as a hobby quickly grew into a thriving business. Luckily for all of us, Kendall was gracious enough to share her story and some things that she has learned along the way.
Getting to Know You
How did you get started on your creative journey?
It started with a crochet kit from The Woobles. I was curious to see if I could pick up a new skill. The learning curve was steep at first, and it took me a while to get the hang of it, but I loved the process enough to order a few more kits. Before I knew it, curiosity had turned into a full-blown obsession.
Do you remember the first thing you ever made?
Yes! It was Fred the Dino from the Woobles. He looks a bit wonky because I lost the plastic safety eyes so I tried to make knots for the eyes. At the time, I didn’t know how to embroider eyes on plushies.
What made you fall in love with this art form?
There’s something deeply calming about the rhythm of crochet — the repetitive motion of hook and yarn quiets my mind in a way little else can. As someone who lives with severe anxiety, it’s become one of my most grounding outlets. I’ve also always had a creative streak that my day job doesn’t quite satisfy, and crochet gives me a space to express that side of myself.
How did your hobby evolve into a business?
Turning this into a business was never the plan. It all started when a family friend of my parents asked me to crochet two cats for her granddaughters. I had no idea what to charge and honestly wasn’t sure I was skilled enough to take on a commission. But they turned out beautifully and her granddaughters still cherish them to this day. From there, she spread the word to her friends, and the orders started rolling in. Just like that, the hobby became a business. Early on it grew mostly through word of mouth, but once I launched my Instagram page, that became the main way customers find me.
Inspiration & Creativity
Who or what has been the biggest influence on your creative style?
Millie at Red Mill’s Crochet has been a huge influence on my style. She was one of the first people I connected with in the crochet community, and she’s known for her incredible dragon designs. The first time I made one of her dragons, I was completely hooked (pun very much intended). I’d never been drawn to mythical creatures before, but something about those dragons won me over entirely. Lately I’ve evolved from dragons to dinos, but dragons will always hold a special place in my heart.
How do you stay inspired when you hit a creative block?
Whenever I hit a creative block, I turn to a passion project — something just for me. At the end of last year, I was feeling really depleted and on a whim decided to freehand crochet Littlefoot from The Land Before Time. That one project sparked something in me. I ended up making the rest of the dinos from the original movie, and they still sit on my shelf, bringing me so much joy every time I see them. That passion project went on to influence all of my dinosaur crochet patterns, and I’m so grateful it reignited my creative spark during a low point.
The Making Process
What materials or tools do you love using most?
I’ve gone through several different crochet hooks and I can say that my favorite of all time are the Furls Streamline Metal. The size and the weight of them are just perfect to me. As for yarn, I am always reaching for ZaddyCrafts ‘A Really Good Chenille Yarn’! It is the softest yarn I have ever used and it never sheds like other chenille yarns (other crocheters will know this struggle all too well).
How long does a typical project take you to complete?
Hmmm. Depends on how detailed it is, but projects can take anywhere from 3 to 20 hours. Haha!
What’s one project that challenged you the most (and how did you overcome it)?
Recently, I took on one of my most challenging projects yet: Zak and Wheezie, the two-headed dragon from the cartoon series Dragon Tales. It was my first time attempting to freehand a two-headed dragon, and it really tested my patience. My go-to strategy when I’m stuck is to step away from a project for a day or two and come back with fresh eyes. Nine times out of ten, whatever had me stumped suddenly clicks. Sometimes a little distance is all you need.
Behind the Brand
What’s the most rewarding part of sharing your work with others?
The most rewarding part of all of this is seeing someone else get inspired by my work. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of someone reaching out to tell me that one of my creations motivated them to pick up a hook for the first time, or pushed them to try a pattern they never thought they could make. Knowing that something I made with my own hands sparked that kind of excitement in someone else really makes all the hard work worth it.
What advice would you give someone who wants to turn their passion into a business?
If I could offer one piece of advice, it’s to be patient with yourself and your business. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, and there will be stretches where it feels like nothing is moving. Trust the process and keep showing up. And when it comes to social media, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Be silly, be real, be you. People can spot inauthenticity from a mile away, and what draws them in isn’t perfection, but relatability. Some of my best-performing posts have been the ones where I was just being myself, not trying to curate some polished image. That genuine connection is what turns casual followers into loyal customers.
Fun & Personal Touches
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
What a lot of people don’t realize is that I actually work full time for a tech company, many assume I crochet for a living. I’m fortunate enough to work from home, which means instead of spending hours commuting every day, I get to pour that time into what I love. It’s a balance, but that extra time has made all the difference.
If you could collaborate with any other artist or brand, who would it be?
My dream collaboration would be with the How To Train Your Dragon franchise or even Universal themselves. I’ve loved every character from that world, and getting the chance to bring them to life through crochet in an official collaboration would be an absolute dream come true.
Looking Ahead
What upcoming projects or goals are you excited about?
One of my biggest goals is to publish my own book of crochet patterns. There’s something about seeing my work in print that would make it feel real in a whole new way. It may not happen any time super soon, but I hope to one day make that dream into a reality!
If you’d like to learn more about KP Crochet Creations or shop for her handmade plushies or patterns, you can find her at:
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- Website: https://www.kpcrochetcreations.com/
- Etsy:https://kpcrochetpatterns.etsy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kp_crochetcreations/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KP_CrochetCreations
- Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kp_crochetcreations
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/KP-Crochet-Creations/100095313729246/
Thanks again to Kendall of KP Crochet Creations for taking the time to share her story and experiences with us. We hope you can find inspiration from her!
