Meet Rachel Alford | Crochet and Knit Designer, Blogger, Youtuber, and Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Alford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My business, Cozy Nooks Designs, started when I was a new mom to a baby of 5 months in 2013. Having worked since I was a teenager, the abrupt change to staying home with him felt like a void. I loved and cherished the time I had staying home with my baby, but in the evenings and naptimes, I was able to fill my cup by growing my business.

It started out by making finished crochet pieces and shipping them around the world (hats, blankets, tree skirts, baby costumes, etc.). After doing that for several years, I realized it was too much to keep up with. At this point, I had 3 kids, and I was finding it too hard to manage it all.

I switched to designing crochet and knit patterns – make the item once, and sell the digital file of how to make the piece.

This has worked better for me in being able to spend more time with my kids while still pursuing my career.

What I always say about why crocheting and knitting is great – it’s so portable! I can easily take it with me to do on the soccer practice sidelines, dance studio, piano practice, the park, etc. A way to keep me busy while my kids are busy doing what they love also.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My two proudest moments with my business is when (1) I got to be on Season 13 of Knit and Crochet Now and (2) when I got accepted to be a Lion Brand Yarn kit designer

I had been working towards both of these goals for years, so to be accepted was a dream come true.

For becoming an instructor for the show, I started doing their online episodes in 2020. There were many, many late nights of filming after my kids went to bed so that I did not have their loud noises in the background of the videos. I had a newborn while in the midst of figuring out the rhythm of filming these crochet tutorials, so it was not easy. I am grateful that I stuck with it because since I had 30+ online episdoes and a relationship with the company already, when an opening for the show opened up, they asked me if I’d be able to.

They told me I would have to knit on the show as well, which was a scary thing for me. They asked “you knit too, right?” and I immediately responded “yes!” but really was thinking “well, I’ve got 6 months to crash course how to knit and teach it to others”. I worked hard to dive into knitting and knitting well enough that I could do it on camera. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and my kids like to look at the DVD cover and see my face on it.

In becoming a Lion Brand Yarn Kit Designer, I had asked for years to do. I got rejected over and over again, but I didn’t give up. I kept learning and growing as a designer. Thankfully, after 4 or 5 times pitching myself, I got the acceptance email in 2023, and released my first kit with the company in 2024.

Doing so will help my blog, youtube channel, and hopefully establish myself more as a knit and crochet designer.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I know it may sound cliché but whenever friends or family come to visit us a visit to Falls Park is a must! The entire downtown scene is great but the bridge over Reedy River really stands out. As for places to eat we love Saffron Indian Cuisine and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill both on Woodruff Rd.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband is my number 1 supporter! I always joke that he is my “manager”. He has always encouraged me and cheered me on, even when I was unsure of myself. A lot of the big companies that I have worked for and have done collablorations with are because he reached out to the companies pretending to be me. (Sometimes without my knowledge of him doing so haha.)

He was always so determined to get me on the PBS Knit and Crochet Now, and in 2022 I was able to be on Season 13 of Knit and Crochet Now because he cold called the companies through emails back in 2019.

Website: https://cozynooksdesigns.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozynooksdesigns/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-alford-a370b017a/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozynooksdesigns

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJYPf9UkInRe_J-m2nw7Hxg

Image Credits
Josie Workman Photography