About me
About me
Hi, I’m Herriët, the face behind Stip & Haak. I’ve loved crafting since I was a child, but when I picked up a crochet hook a few years ago, I knew I’d discovered something special. What started as a hobby grew into a passion and eventually, Stip & Haak.
Here I share my love of crochet, especially making adorable stuffed animals. With cheerful colors and playful designs, I hope to inspire you. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crochet enthusiast, welcome!
What do I do in everyday life?
After graduating from fashion school in Zutphen, I worked for many years in a women’s fashion store as a saleswoman and seamstress. The combination of working with (mostly) older customers and working behind the scenes altering clothes was perfect for me. But unfortunately, the store had to close, leaving me suddenly jobless after 32 years.
I’d long since realized I could express my creativity through crochet. This led me to design stuffed animals under the name Stip & Haak. With more time on my hands, it was time to turn my hobby into my profession.
Devoting myself entirely to devising and developing new ideas makes me truly happy. This is where my passion lies and what I love most. I now work full-time for Stip & Haak, and I haven’t regretted it for a second.
When did I start crafting?
I’ve always loved needlework. From a young age, I’ve been involved in all sorts of crafts. There’s never a moment when I’m not tinkering. As a little girl, I was mainly occupied with making doll clothes. I could really let loose on my mother’s old hand sewing machine. I made entire wardrobes for the Barbies. If I needed fabric, I’d cut off the sleeves of my father’s shirt (my mother was very easygoing) and I could continue sewing for hours. So it was a logical choice that I chose fashion school after high school.
Years later, I discovered crocheting and knitting. On the bus to my training in Zutphen, I knitted countless sweaters. Simple styles, mind you, because crochet was already my favorite pastime back then. I crocheted a lot for my bedroom. Wardrobe cuffs, doilies, and those little window drapes, truly seventies/eighties. You probably know them.
How it all began...
About 13 years ago, I picked up crocheting again after years of hiatus. A colleague of mine was working on a bag made of Hoooked Zpagetti yarn, and I wanted to try it too. But after crocheting a few bags, I wanted something different. I soon discovered that you could crochet adorable stuffed animals and dolls: amigurumi.
At that time, there were far fewer Dutch amigurumi patterns available than there are now. I thought, “I can do that too,” and started creating and designing my own patterns. Without the intention of eventually selling them, just for my own use.
When I posted a photo of rabbit Snuf, my first pattern, on Hyves, I quickly received rave reviews! And especially people asked if I could write out the pattern. That’s how the ball started rolling. From then on, every free minute has been dedicated to crocheting, and many new designs have been added since Snuf.
It’s always wonderful to see how a new creature emerges from a ball of wool and a crochet hook, and I hope to be able to continue doing this for a long time to come.
Creative craft fairs
After several years of lovingly designing my patterns from home, it was inevitable: I simply had to show my cuddly toys in person.
It turned out to be the best move I could have made—after all these years of working from home, I find it especially energizing to interact with you at trade shows. It’s always a joy to be face-to-face with people who are just as enthusiastic about my designs as I am. The encounters, the smiles, and the wonderful conversations make it special for me every time.
Curious where to find us? Feel free to check our agenda to see which trade shows we’ll be attending. We always look forward to seeing you there!
Want to get even more inspiration? You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram, where I regularly share new patterns, stuffed animals, and creative ideas. This way, you can stay up-to-date and we can even meet online!
