Posted by What do you get when you mix crochet and the geek world together? Cindy Wang of Geeky Hooker has the answer to that question. She has created the amazing crochet dolls that she calls her Lil’ Critters. They range from superheroes, to monsters, to literary characters. Temple of Geek got the chance to speak with Cindy about her creations and other projects.
(Danniel Slade) Cindy, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
(Cindy Wang) My name’s Cindy, I’m a health care professional by day and a hooker by night. No, not THAT kind of hooker. The kind with a crochet hook. 😀
(DS) How did you come up with the name “The Geeky Hooker?”
(CW) I’d seen many other crochet artists refer to themselves as “hookers” and I liked the cheekiness of it all. Everything kind of worked itself out from there!
(DS) What are these Lil’ Critters?
(CW) They’re little characters that I crochet from just about any genre you can think of. Books, TV, movies, video games, over the last six years I’ve covered it all in some shape or form!
(DS) How did you come up with the idea for these crochet dolls?
(CW) I’ve never really crocheted anything else! I started crocheting six years ago out of sheer boredom when I saw a picture of a crocheted ninja and made an instant decision to start a new hobby. I started out with little teddy bears, cutesy coffee cups, and other basic items from the book “Amigurumi World” by Ana Paula Rimoli before I moved on to making generic little dolls.
(DS) You don’t sell your creations but you do leave them in places to be “adopted.” Can you tell me how you started doing that?
(CW) I can’t even take credit for the adoption idea, that was 100% inspired by a street artist in Atlanta called Catlanta! I don’t sell my critters because I like being able to crochet on my own terms. I don’t want to have to make 50 Batmans.
(DS) Do you receive communication from the Critters new owners?
(CW) I do! In the beginning responses would casually roll in (or not at all), but nowadays it’s almost instantaneous from the time that they’re found!
(DS) What has some of the responses been like?
(CW) They’ve all been awesome, but what’s even cooler is when people send me follow up photos later! It’s like seeing old friends again.
(DS) On your site, you have a section called “Lost (but not forgotten!). Have any of the lost critters ever been found that you know of?
(CW) Just one, where a little Targayren dragon was reported in after about 3 weeks! That was an awesome surprise in my inbox.
(DS) You published a book called Literary Yarns: Crochet Projects Inspired by Classic Books. What was it like creating a craft book that had your own creations in it?
(CW) It’s absolutely crazy. The entire book writing process was a fun learning experience. One thing that surprised me (although it shouldn’t have) was that writing a pattern for the masses is MUCH different than just making finished products for people to enjoy. When I make the finished products I don’t have to think about how they’re being made or if those steps can be followed, I just make them my way until everything looks right. When I’m writing a pattern that’s meant to be followed by others, I have to account for every single step and make sure everything is as clear as possible.
(DS) Are you planning on publishing any other books?
(CW) I’d love to publish more books in the future! It was a fun process, I’d love to do this again if people are willing to take me in!
(DS) What are your plans for San Diego Comic Con this year?
(CW) Eat all the good food, check out some fun events, see some panels, survive the lines, survive the crowd, just survive through all the overwhelming awesomeness.
(DS) Out of all of your creations, do you have a favorite?
(CW) Booooo you can’t ask me that! But if I had to pick a favorite, I’d say little Captain America. I’ve made him every year since 2012 and I love how his colors and his little details all work together into a small package. Some of the critters don’t always translate well into a little limbless yarn sack, but Captain America is one where everything seems to work out.
(DS) Can you let our audience know how they can learn more about you? (Please plug away)
(CW) My twitter and Instagram handle is @GeekyHooker, and my facebook handle is Geekyhooker. Also, click here for my book on Amazon!
(DS) Is there anything else you would like our audience to know?
(CW) I’m offering to do drops for other artists! I’m only offering “drop services” to folks who won’t be going to SDCC themselves, but if anyone is doing drops of their own at SDCC I’ll also gladly help spread the word! You’re more than welcome to reference my blog post here: https://geekyhooker.wordpress.com/2017/07/02/guest-critters/
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