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Explore the Retro Vibes of Rebecca Dagmar’s Good Vibrations Throwover From By Hook II
Influenced by 60s/70’s retro, Rebecca Dagmar of Daisy and Dime shares her design process on her Good Vibrations Throwover!
Rebecca Dagmar, the talented crochet designer behind Daisy and Dime, has a knack for infusing retro vibes with a contemporary flair. Her latest creation, the Good Vibrations Throwover for our new By Hook II collection, is a perfect example of this unique design aesthetic.
Based in Toronto, Rebecca draws inspiration from the 60s and 70s, but her pieces are far from dated. Instead, she reinvents classic designs with a fresh twist, creating pieces that are both nostalgic and modern.
In this interview, Rebecca shares how her love for crochet began, and what inspired her to create the Good Vibrations Throwover. With its bold colours and intricate details, this piece has quickly become one of her proudest designs. Join us as we dive into Rebecca’s creative process and discover what makes her work stand out in the world of crochet.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself: how did you get into crochet and designing??
“I’m Rebecca, a 25-year-old crochet artist and designer from Toronto, Canada! I come from a very DIY-heavy home. My parents are always taking on some sort of home renovation project, our family is super into gardening and growing our own food, and I have countless memories of my mom helping us stitch and hot glue together our Halloween costumes. Even my previous jobs as a Chef and Dental Technician were centred around creating and making things! My Babi and Yiayia (grandmothers) were no different to the rest of my family and they taught me pretty much everything I know about fibre arts! Thanks to them, I’ve been crocheting, knitting, sewing, and embroidering since the age of six, though crocheting is what I’m most passionate about!
I got into making my own designs in my final year of high school- starting with bralettes and swimsuits. Making my own swimwear helped me rekindle confidence in my own body because I was wearing something to fit ME, not trying to force my body to fit into a piece of clothing. Once I discovered how empowering it was to make and wear something custom made, along with how fun it was to think of all sorts of construction techniques, I couldn’t stop! Designing, especially sharing my designs via patterns, helps me share that same joy with other people.“
Tell us about your recent design in The Fibre Co. yarn—what inspired this design and what techniques, makes it special to you?
“My Good Vibrations Throwover is a design that I am super proud of! The shell stitch pattern radiating outward from the centre reminded me of little soundwaves, hence the name. Poncho designs can range from simple to immensely intricate when it comes to stitch patterns, but I decided to keep things relatively simple with just enough extra added interest using some strategic placement of eyelet stitches. I wanted this poncho to feel comfy and casual, but elegant enough to dress up as well.“
What inspires and influences your designs?
“I find inspiration in all sorts of places! Though if I had to narrow it down to a few sources, I would say my design influences are a mix between 60s/70s retro and what I like to call ‘casual boho’ – big sleeves, lacy and textured stitches, flowy and billowy silhouettes that are romantic and feminine but still easy to wear and style in your everyday wardrobe.“
What is your favourite type of crochet project?
“Clothing is definitely my favourite thing to make in general! The garment category tends to change a lot, especially seasonally, but for the past year I keep coming back to crocheting dresses! They are certainly a labour of love, but it is always so satisfying to try on a gown you spent hours on, that fits you perfectly and makes you feel beautiful, and think to yourself, wow, I made that.”
Could you share your design process with us.
“My process usually takes a long time. After sketching up a plan and picking out my yarn, I work away at as many attempts as needed to get the design just right. Sometimes the stars are aligned and I get everything right on the first try, other times it takes several tries before I’m 100% happy with what I’ve made. I really like to take my time and think about all the different ways I can tackle a project, and which is the most efficient. Sometimes I’m told it’s a bit overkill to make and remake the same thing over and over, but to be honest I find the repetition helps me understand my designs as best as I can! Usually it’s in these multiple remakes that I get inspired to make an adjacent design, or it gives me ideas for future projects.“
How does the yarn you use influence your design?
“I am very much a seasonal crocheter, which works out nicely because the weather in Southern Ontario can range from nose-hair-freezing cold to sweating-buckets hot and humid. My yarn stash ranges from ultra-lightweight cotton and bamboo blends to super chunky and rustic wools so that I can wear my me-made clothes all year round! I usually have some go-tos for specific projects: wool or alpaca for sweaters and cardigans, linen or cotton for dresses, and bamboo for flowy and airy tops.”
What is your favourite crochet technique and why?
“I love any kind of all-in-one construction method when it comes to crocheting! I like to be able to try on my work as I go to see where I need to make modifications, and usually make it a point to have my designs feature a try-on friendly construction whenever it’s possible. Though, since you can use these techniques in other fibre-related crafts, I’ll share one of my favourite crochet specific techniques that I really ought to utilize more: Entrelac crochet! It is so fun to do, you don’t need any special Tunisian hooks since you’re only working with a few stitches at a time, and it reminds me a lot of intarsia techniques that give a funky patchwork effect.“
What is your desert island crochet project—what could you make again and again and still enjoy?
“This is a tricky one, as there’s so many types of projects I could make over and over without getting bored or tired of them. If I really had to pick though, probably any kind of summery crop top or swimwear. They’re what really got me into designing so many years ago and they’re always what I seem to return to when I need a project to uplift and inspire me.“
What is your first crochet memory?
“I’m not too sure if this truly counts as crocheting, but I remember my Babi trying to teach me and my sisters how to crochet when we were very young. None of us could really grasp the concept of holding a hook, so she had us practice making chain stitches by making a slip knot, pinching the yarn with our fingers, and pulling up loop after loop – I guess so we could understand the mechanics of how it’s supposed to work. Anyway, we each took turns “finger crocheting” and all had so much fun with it that before we knew it, we used up the entire ball of yarn! Our little practice chain got so long that we could hang it from the banister of the top floor and it was piling up all the way down to the basement. My Babi was laughing her head off at how carried away we all got!“
About By Hook II
Featuring six playful pieces inspired by joyous dressing and the fun and spontaneity of the season. For sunshine-filled days, the chosen palette of Amble, Meadow and Luma yarns is designed to boost the mood and get creative juices flowing. Soft pastel tones clash with brights for a bold, contemporary look, while natural fibres and relaxed silhouettes make this a wonderfully wearable collection abounding with carefree style.
These patterns are perfect for crocheters looking to try something new, and knitters who haven’t dabbled in the craft before. Say yes to a crochet adventure this summer, and colour yourself happy with yarn.
Featuring designs by Alexandra Tavel, Amber Millard, Cassie Ward, Lee Sartori, Lucy Djevdet and Rebecca Dagmar.
Knitting the Good Vibrations Throwover?
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We would love to see it. If you are sharing on social media, please use the hashtags #MadeWithTheFibreCo and tag us @thefibrecompany so we don’t miss it. You can also follow us on social media by clicking the icons below.
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