Since turning her crochet passion into a career over a decade ago, Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts has become a celebrated figure in the crochet community, known for her extensive catalog of beginner-friendly patterns and easy-to-follow tutorial videos.
In this interview with Salena Baca of the American Crochet Association, Toni shares her journey from a former dental student to a successful entrepreneur, highlighting the highs and lows of running a creative business.
Toni discusses her approach to creativity, her love for traditional crochet, and the importance of making TL Yarn Crafts an inviting and inclusive space for all.
She also offers a glimpse into her personal life, revealing her fondness for cats, coffee ice cream, and reading, while expressing her commitment to make sure beginners feel encouraged, empowered, and excited to learn with her from day one.
You can watch the fully interview today on YouTube: Meet Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Table of contents
This post may contain some affiliate links.
Meet Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts
Who is Toni Lipsey / TL Yarn Crafts?
Toni Lipsey is the owner, designer, and creative person behind TL Yarn Crafts.
After deciding dental school wasn’t for her, Toni started TL Yarn Crafts in 2013 as a side-hustle.
Yarn was just something to keep her busy in the evenings at first, and she continues to ride the wave to where TL Yarn Crafts is today.
What is this experience like for you?
Really, really high highs at times, and some days it feels nine-to-five(ish).
This is an odd dichotomy of doing something I love, and on the other side I’m a business owner who has to deal with taxes, collaborations, content creation, and a lot of things that don’t deal with touching yarn at all.
I have to bring myself back to the center to remind myself that this is something I love to do, and it is also my job.
I probably enjoy this more than I would have been a dentist!
What makes you stand out?
I only produce when I feel the energy flow in a direction.
Wherever I show up, I make sure that is where my energy has led me.
What do you want people to know about you?
TL Yarn Crafts is an approachable brand.
I want to see my brand as a comfortable, safe space to learn, explore, try things, and disagree.
I want people to express every facet of their creativity in my spaces and say “yeah, I can be myself here.”
What does Toni Like
Classic or Tunisian crochet?
Traditional crochet.
But Tunisian is a half step behind.
Dogs or cats?
Cats!
I have a dog now, for the first time in my life, who I adore, but I’ve always been a cat person.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Coffee.
Especially with chocolate shards.
After your yarn hobbies, what are some other things you love?
I love to read.
I devour books!
I’m also starting to get into traveling.
Every time I go out of town I come back with fun, exciting ideas.
And, I really like naps!
I just wrapped up Abbot Elementary.
What are you watching / listening to right now?
Not only is it hilarious, it shares a lot of dynamics of life.
And, I got sucked into Bridgerton!
It’s so corny, but it’s well done.
TL Yarn Crafts Brand
After I read Simon Sinek’s Book Start With Why, I determined my focus was to “ensure crochet is passed through the generations in better hands than we found it”.
Do you have a “Why”?
Making sure beginners feel encouraged, empowered, and excited from day one.
I want that first experience with me to be like:
“Wow, I’ve come out of this having learned something! I feel like I’ve learned it in a way that makes sense! This is going to stick with me!”
You’re an industry leader, as seen in this h+h panel discussion.
How do you see yourself?
I take a lot of this very seriously.
I keep my eyes open to the industry.
I want to know what we’re doing to move things forward, or not move things forward, how we’re supporting each other.
I’m a listener, and that’s how I can communicate what I feel is the state of the industry.
There are people behind the things that we buy, and the content that we engage with, and the places that we go.
This niche is incredibly community focused and driven.
We have to make sure we are supporting and providing for that community ahead of padding our pockets.
I’m never going to say “go buy this thing” if I don’t believe in it.
Which do you like better: Instagram or YouTube?
YouTube.
As a creator and as a consumer, because YouTube allows you to have a full conversation.
The Yarn Hive Community
The Yarn Hive Community is fashioned around the idea of an engaged, focused, interconnected, set of bees and we’ve got this mission of just loving on crochet in whatever way we feel like.
It is a space to let excitement, positivity, and encouragement just flow.
There are two main spaces: A video library, and a community space.
What is next for TL Yarn Craft?
The fourth annual Crochet Academy is coming up in August 2024.
There are three weeks of instruction followed by four weeks of crochet alongs.
Lion Brand Yarn will be providing kits.
Video Chat
You can watch the full interview with Salena Baca of the American Crochet Association, and Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts, right here: Meet Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts
If you liked this post, you can find even more interviews at the American Crochet Association.
Giveaway – July 2024
Win a copy of The Tunisian Crochet Handbook, signed by Toni Lipsey!
To enter for a chance to win this prize, just follow these two simple steps:
- View the patterns in The Tunisian Crochet Handbook on Ravelry, right here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/the-tunisian-crochet-handbook-a-beginners-guide/patterns
- Leave a comment on this post with your favorite pattern (you can leave 1 comment per pattern, per day)
1 winner will be chosen from the comments after 31 July 2024.
I will reply to the winning comment, update this post with the name of the winner, and send an email with instructions to claim their prize.
Once contacted, winner will have 5 days to reply.
I am giving away 2 copies, so be sure to enter our second giveaway by watching this interview on YouTube.
Winner: Deb Rowley (updated 1 August 2024)
The Sulta triangle wrap would be a nice addition to my wardrobe.
For the last attempt at getting Toni’s book, I am going back to my first choice, the motley blanket! Hope to practice more tunisian crochet and be able to make it one day. Thank you for the interview and the giveaway!
The Midway fringe scarf looks nice and warm for winter.
The Geo Potholders look like one of my favorites in this set from Toni, thank you Salena! 🤗
nisa poncho wish to make
The Geo potholders would make a nice housewarming gift.
Congratulations Deb Rowley – you’re the winner of this giveaway! Please check your email for instructions to claim this prize. [email protected]
Juvie Chevron Cowl is my jam!
The pinwheel pet bed will be perfect for my new “granddog” !
I like the Sulta Triangle Wrap. the colors are pretty. Overall it is nice can’t wait to get this pattern and work it up.
The Lexington cashmere gloves are a lovely winter accessory. I need to make a pair!
The Pemba Cardi is for me!
Empire Tea Towels – so useful!
Motley blanket looking so nice
I like the design of the Motley blanket.
The Cheeky bath mat is so very cute!
Today my vote has to go to the juvie chevron cowl. Looks stylish and cozy!
The Pemba Cardi is beautiful!
I love the hazelwood lattice pillow. I’m a huge texture fan when it comes to crochet. Absolutely beautiful!
My next favorite pattern is the Nisa Poncho.
I loved reading this article/interview! I have been a long-time follower and fan of Toni. I was first introduced to her through KnitCrate and her gorgeous pattern “Getaway Shawl” which is lovely Tunisian crochet shawl. The Getaway Shawl was the first Tunisian project I ever made. I still love my shawl and wear every spring/summer. I get so many compliments! I recently borrowed her book from my local library and fell in love with it. I think my favorite pattern in there is the Juvie Chevron Cowl. I had her book on my wishlist but forbade myself to buy it until after my birthday which is this upcoming weekend. I would love to win a signed copy but do plan to buy her book regardless if I win or not.
Wow, I love the Cheeky Bath Mat. What a way to start your day!
Hi Salena and Toni too 🤗 The interview was fun, thanks! Of all the great patterns in this book, the Pinwheel Pet Bed would be another of my favorites. I know a few pets who would absolutely adore having a special one of their own!
I like the Ashford Striped Pillow.
The Juvie Chevron Cowl is gorgeous!
The Nisa poncho would be a nice Fall garment.
I’ve been thinking of learning sewing and thought a good project would be pillows. But the Ashford stripped pillow has me thinking maybe crochet is the way. Pretty!
The pemba cardi looks like a classic i need in my wardrobe!
Bliss Braided Ear Warmer looks so fab.
I like the construction of the Hazelwood lattice pillow, quite unique.
I love the Nisa Poncho Pattern. I would love to learn Tunisian crochet and try to make it.
The patterns in the book look great! I’m loving that Cheeky Bath Mat one the most though.
Thanks for sharing your interview with Toni, and the chance to win one of her books, Salena! 🤗 It’s hard to choose a single favorite as they all look awesome, the Motley Blanket is definitely one of my favorites tho.
I could make an Alpha wall hanging for each of my grandchildren.
the aruba tunic is a perfect cover up!
I love the Motley blanket ❤️
The keyhole planters look great!
Thank you for this fabulous interview with Toni! I learnt a little bit more about her, and I’m always amazed and lifted by this positive and super supportive designer who has improved so many makers’ loves, including mine!
I love all of Toni’s patterns, and I love the community she has built in the Yarn Hive! 💛🐝 From her Tunisian Crochet book, I’d have to say the Juvie cowl is my favorite, followed very closely behind by the Pemba cardi!
Hazelwood Lattice Pillow, think there are so many color combinations to use
My favorite tunisian pattern frim Toni’s book is the Cheeky Bath Mat.
I was so happy to see this interview. I learned to crochet from Selena through her online tutorials and I bought both her DVDs to be sure to have them on hand, always. I’m a “Honeybee” in the Yarn Hive and am working on my CAL Hexagranny Cardigan. Would love to win Toni’s book. I’m planning to do more home projects and the pattern that caught my attention is the Pinwheel Pet Bed for my pup, Ripley. Ripley’s already been in the hive modeling the Headband that Selena taught as a first project. Of course, it’s more of a dog scarf than a headband on Ripley, but I was over the moon that I could actually make it. Thank you both for being the best instructors.
i loved Keyhole Hanging Planter alot and i will love to try doing it after learning the basics of tunisian crochet bc i am a begginer .. and thank you for this giveaway i would love to have this book alot
The Empire Tea Towels should be my next project. My kitchen needs a few of them!
Love the Pemba cardi it’s beautiful 🍀🧶🙏🏼
The nisa poncho looks so cozy! I hope to make it when I get to a better skill level on Tunisian crochet.
my favorite pattern is the Alpha wall hanging.
The Pemba Cardi is beautiful. I need to make that!
Hi Salena, thanks for the interview with Toni! All of the patterns look like fun to make, the Hazelwood Lattice Pillow is one of my favorites!
Wow! I love ❤️ all of these but as fall is coming the Pemba cardi sang to me. Crochet has brought me joy and growth, completely unexpected but such a pleasure for me. Thank you to all the wonderful talented people I meet on this journey.
The Kima Cardi is awesome!
Pemba Cardi
Thank you so much for this giveaway! Is it open worldwide? Toni is a joy to watch on YouTube, and I can see in her videos what she said in the interview about her focus. Difficult to choose, but I think the winner for my favourite pattern is the motley blanket!
The Midway Fringe Scarf looks great.
I love the Pemba Cardigan.
I’ve been watching Toni over the last 2 months. I made her Gumball Afghan that will be donated to the Mountain State Children’s Home in Colorado, it was so fun to make. I also have been learning Tunisian from her and I”m excited about her new book! I want to learn to make the Juvie Cheveron Cowls. Living in Montana, Cowls are a girl’s best friend. LOL!!!!
It was awesome to meet you at the Fancywork Yarn Shop while I was visiting in Bend Oregon. You were so welcoming and pleasant. Thank you for all you do to make crochet easier to learn and provide a fun way of doing it!
Sincerely,
Denise Patterson
Freehandly Made Au – My Austic Life
I’m so glad we met – thank you for coming in to say hello! Hope you had a really fun (and safe) road trip back home.
The Cheeky Bath Mat looks right up my alley and very much my family member’s style!! I could be kept busy for years making many of those for gifts, lol. So cute!! Thanks for the chance!! Love TL’s patterns and loved learning more about her!
the keyhole hanging planter is so cute.
I love making garments, so the Pemba Cardi is my favorite!
My favorite pattern is the Hazelwood lattice pillow.
would love to make the Oxford floor poof
Thank you for the chance to win with this giveaway. I love you are working together with other talent and giving back to the crochet community more than you already do! I love the sulta triangle wrap! It would be wonderful to make for work and church! ❤️
I love watching her Tutorials! My favourite pattern is the Sulta Triangle Wrap.
The Hudson Tassel Throw is perfect! Love Toni, I watch her on YouTube.
I’ve been wanting to learn Tunisian since I started crochet 2 years ago. All the patterns are cute! I really like the elm slouch 💛
I love the Motley Blanket
Love the Sulta Triangle Wrap
I love the Kensington Tote Bag!
Love the Pemba Cardigan. It looks so comfortable!
My favorite Tunisian crochet pattern of Toni’s is Kensington tote
Such a fun interview, thanks! Wow, all of the patterns look so fun to make! One of my favorites would be the Cheeky Bath Matt, lol!
The Julie Chevron Cowl is so special.
My favorite pattern is the Kensington Tote Bag
I love the Motley Blanket!
all the patterns look great, but i love the pemba cardi.
I love Tunisian Crochet. Always ready to learn more.
There are several I would love to work up. The “Juvie Chevron Cowls” is really lovely.
All the pattern in The Tunisian Crochet Handbook look enticing, but I would love to make The Kensington Tote Bag as accessories are my favourite.
All the Tunsian Crochet patterns in the Tunisian Crochet Book look enticing, but my favourite is the Kensington Tote Bag as I’ve never made a bag in Tunisian Crochet and this one looks amazing! 💜
I love her Motley Blanket.
The Lamia Wrap is gorgeous!
would like to try the Nisa Pincho!
That is awesome looking!
I love sweaters so the Pemba Cardi is my favorite. Toni designs beautiful sweaters!
I like the empire tea towels but I really want to make the Pemba cardi for myself!
My favorite pattern is the cheeky bath mat! A way to say that to my name even if I’m not home. 🙂
I’ve been wanting to learn tunisian for years! I love the chevron cowl.
Oh my, the Pemba Cardi looks BEAUTIFUL!!! I have not been brave enough yet to try Tunisian crochet, but that cardi sure makes me want to start. 😉
I love all of Toni’s patterns. I want to try the Kensington Tote Bag. It is a beautiful classic design. I want to really dive into Tuniasn Crochet. It is the next chapter of my skill set.
They are all beautiful!! The Juvie Chevron Cowl is my favorite though.
I’m in love with that Hazelwood Lattice pillow!
I have to be honest and say I really like the look of knit items. But, I’ve tried to learn to knit many times and it has always been a frustrating disaster. Then I found Tunisian crochet. I love it, though I haven’t mastered it yet but continue to try new patterns. I like the Sulta Triangle Wrap. I enjoy making shawls and giving them away and the Sulta Triangle Wrap would make a beautiful gift.
I loved learning more about Toni! her pattern that I like the most is the Pinwheel Pet Bed. It looks fun to make.
I love the chevron cowl. It’s been a long time since I have done Tunisian crochet and I think it’s time to try it again!
Love several of the patterns but especially the Hazelwood Lattice throw pillow
Motley Blanket is my favorite
It’s hard to choose, but I really like the bath mat pattern.
I actually am working on her Kensington tote bag now!
Yay! Tunisian Crochet Handbook. This book looks lovely and a wonderful interview with Toni Lipsey. My favorite pattern is the Empire Tea Towels.
I have had my eye on the Motley Blanket pattern for quite some time, but I’m a scaredy cat and have not convinced myself to try Tunisian crochet yet. I need a push over that edge and this may just be it!
It’s so hard to choose but I’ve been itching to try the Nisa Poncho. Toni is such a great teacher and I was a regular viewer of her Lamia Wrap video, my first Tunisian crochet project and still my favorite wearable.
Pemba cardi is my favorite but I would make all of them, I love Tunisian crochet.
My favorite pattern is the Hudson Tassel Throw. I would love to make one.
the Juvie Chevron Cowl looks like an amazing project! 💜🦋
My favorite pattern is the Hazelwood Lattice Pillow. I love the design of it and I will be able to make it in a number of colors to go with my living room and bedrooms. ❤️
Can’t wait to make the pinwheel pet bed for my Winnie!
I love the Pemba cardi and the Nisa Poncho!
I love the bliss braided ear warmer! So cute!
I love the Pemba cardi!!
I would love to make the Juvie Chevron Cowl, it looks nice!
I love the Pemba cardi!
The Oxford Floor Pouf is my favorite!
I love the little plant holder design!