Ventures of a crochet addict
By Joan Janzen
Every child loves to have a stuffed toy to snuggle up to at night, and Cassie Stimson is busy constructing her ‘snugglers’ one stitch at a time. Cassie resides in Eatonia, along with her husband and two school-age children, who are in grades 1 and 2.
Her business is part of Stimmers Farm & Co. Ltd. “The family business includes all our endeavours,” Cassie explained. “We live in town but farm in the area.”
Cassie describes herself as a ‘crochet addict’ who is feeding her addiction by creating snugglers for her customers. Those customers may be surprised to discover that this budding entrepreneur began acquiring her newly found skills just two years ago. Cassie grew up in Burstall, Sask., and said, “My mom wanted to teach me how to crochet, but I had no patience for it. I was the one who didn’t want to learn.”
Cassie Stimson from Eatonia displays her crocheted snugglers. SUBMITTED
But years later, Cassie decided she did want to learn the craft. “I started with toques when my kids started going to school. It’s only been the last couple of years I took an interest in it,” she said. And that was the beginning of Cassie’s addiction.
“I couldn’t keep filling my kid’s beds with snugglers,” she laughed. She realized she would eventually run out of room if she continued to fill her house with her crocheted characters. Cassie discovered the solution to her dilemma when a friend requested a Christmas gift for her son. After finishing the gift, Cassie’s friend assured her the product was satisfactory. Once Cassie felt comfortable that her snugglers met with customer satisfaction, she began her endeavour in earnest.
Now she makes dinosaurs, sea horses, bunnies, octopuses, bears, giraffes, chickens, cows, turtles and more. Unicorns and jellyfish are two of her most popular items. She uses blanket yarn, which is durable and washes well.
“I came across a pattern maker on Instagram and fell in love with all her patterns. When you find something you really like, it’s really easy to do,” Cassie said. “I mostly do it on school days cause I can count my stitches without having to recount them again.”
She also works in the evenings after the kids have gone to bed. “I usually have Seinfeld on. That’s one show I have memorized, and don’t have to see what’s going on,” she chuckled.
She has converted a spare room into a yarn room. Ears, arms and minor details are all hand-stitched in place; Cassie estimates it takes her 3-4 hours to finish one item.
Children aren’t the only people who appreciate Cassie’s snugglers. “I’ve heard snugglers are donated to senior homes,” Cassie said. More specifically, her jellyfish snugglers, whose tentacles can be used as a sensory tool, much like a fidget toy, have a calming effect.
Cassie has stepped out of her comfort zone and participated in a few trade shows in the area, where customers can see and feel her product. She estimates she’s crocheted approximately 100 of her snugglers to date.
Although her addiction has become a business venture, she still enjoys gifting her homemade creations to friends. “I’ve had a few pictures sent back of newborns with their snugglers, which is really cute,” she said. “It makes it all worthwhile.”