About Me

Hello,
Welcome to my blog!
I am Raffaella, the blogger behind RaffamusaDesigns.

Just for you to know, Raffamusa is the superhero version of myself!

…well, just kidding!
But it used to be my nickname back in high school, and I feel comfortable being Raffamusa. It also came in handy when I had to name my blog, I really did not have to think about the name for a single minute!

If you are reading my about page, there is a good chance that you’d like to know me better. So, let me first start by telling you that I so happy you came to take a look here. I’ll try to do my best and share something about myself.

So, let’s start!

  • I am list-obsessed! I literally have lists of things everywhere, on my phone, on my agenda, in my scrapbook, on my desk, in my notebook. After I write a list, I usually forget about it and go on to write the next one!

So, you can imagine what is going to follow! My about-me list πŸ™‚

  • I am Italian and I was born by the sea, a beautiful place!
  • The Netherlands has been my second home for some years now, and between ups and downs, I can say “alles goed” (everything is fine);
  • By day, I work as a biochemist, i.e. I study proteins.
  • Most of my crochet happens on the train during my 70-min commute to work, and my 70-min commute back home! (yes, that’s a long commute…)
  • I do crochet (a lot!) and I share my free crochet patterns. But I am not sure I like calling myself a “crochet designer”. I guess it’s become kind of trendy to say “I am a designer“, but mmmh, I’m still thinking about it…
  • I love listening to podcasts, especially historical or tech ones. However, don’t ask me to listen to a yarn/crochet/knit one. They’re all so boring!!! But if you do know one yarn podcast that you think is the bomb, leave me a comment and I’ll give it a try!
  • I started crocheting just because when I went to the craft store, I realized that buying a hook and ball of yarn was way easier and cheaper than getting the cross stitch stuff I had gone there to buy. What’s your story? How did you start crocheting?
  • Other than crochet, I like baking cakes (but mostly because I love eating them!), reading, and hiking.
  • About hiking, one of the things I am the proudest of is my solo hike through the mountains in my region (Abruzzo…Google it, did I mention it’s a beautiful place?), for 5 days completely alone! But I made it!
  • Back to crochet! When I first started, I almost immediately started with Tunisian crochet and I fell in love!
  • Here are some of the things that I love to crochet the most:
    –> Crochet Appliques (Some all times favorites are the Apple and the Ice Cream!)
    –> Potholders! (I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of crocheting them!)
    –> Accessories (especially for babies given the growing number of nieces and cousins in my family)

So, I guess this was quite a list to start with. But enough about me, I would love to know you better too! So, how about connecting via e-mail? Send me your story and let me know who you are!

You can also join my newsletter to hear more from me and my crochet news. This September/October, I am also organizing an e-mail free CAL for my subscribers and it would be lovely if you wanted to join! Check out this post for more info!

Halloween Granny Squares CAL

Please, do not hesitate to contact me for any help or assistance with one of my patterns. I will try to answer asap.

I am looking forward to connecting with you also on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram!

Cheers,
Raffaella

21 thoughts on “About Me”

  1. Well, Raffaele, I cannot find any place else to ask this question; so please forgive me if it is incorrect.

    I wanted to know if you have a copyright license for your pattern sketches and your photos?

    I like your crochet patterns and I would like to have your permission to use your sketches as motifs in my scrapbooking g page designs that I will eventually be selling on etsy’s.

    Plus, I want you to know that I too am a crocheter. And as such it seems to me that the are not a lot of crochet icons nor images for scrapbook,ears to use in their scrapbooks. So, I am on a mission to find and to create some.

    I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

    With gratitude,
    Bren Stewart
    [email protected]

    Reply
    • Hi Bren,

      Thank you for your comment.
      However, I am not sure what you exactly mean.

      Would you like to print and sell pictures from my website? Or is it something else? And I am not entirely sure what you mean with sketches.

      Unfortunately, I cannot give you permission to print or use any of my pictures.

      In general, I would say that if you want to print a crocheted item to produce scrapbook designs, you would have to crochet the item yourself, photograph it, and then use it. So, if you like any of my designs, feel free to crochet the pattern and take pictures of your crocheted item. This way, those pictures belong to you.

      I am not sure if this answered your question, but please, don’t hesitate to write back if you have any other doubts.

      Thank you again for asking me, and I would love to see your Etsy shop by the way πŸ™‚

      Best wishes,
      Raffaella

      Reply
      • Hi dear Rafaela! I found her blog through Pinterest! I’m delighted and dying to put it into practice. I would like to have crochet as a second source of income until it becomes my only one. I really liked everything you said about you, I admire you! God bless you greatly, I will follow you on Instagram! I’m using Google translator, so I apologize for any grammatical errors.A big hug from Brazil! Crochet brings people together!

        Reply
  2. just wanting to know your policy on using your patter for the tiny apple. i sell locally and on etsy, what are your thoughts on me making the apples and selling them? (not selling the pattern, of course)
    thank you,
    sylvia

    Reply
    • Hi Sylvia,

      Thank you for your comment.

      Feel free to sell anything you realize from my patterns πŸ™‚
      If you want, in your listing on Etsy, you could refer to the pattern name and raffamusadesigns.com as the source of the pattern. But that’s not needed, just if you want.

      Best wishes,
      Raffaella

      Reply
  3. I’m currently working on the Rainy-Sunny coin purse pattern. I’ve purchased all the supplies and gotten stumped by the instructions given on the pattern. I was able to put together a MC no problem. I run into confusion at the beginning after my initial 8sc in the MC. Do I “make 8 inc” IN my initial 8 sc’s? Or do I continue on in a straight line. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

    Amy K

    Reply
    • Hi Amy,
      To make an increase, you simply make 2 sc in the same st. So, after round 1 is complete, start crocheting round 2 by making 2 sc in the first st of round 1. Then, make 2 more sc in the second stitch of round 1, and so on.
      In the same way, round 3 is worked on the sts from round 2, and so on until the last round.
      Do not forget to put a stitch marker in the first st of each round so you don’t get lost with your rounds!

      I hope this helped, otherwise, don’t hesitate to contact me. You can also reach me via e-mail πŸ™‚
      Raffaella

      Reply
  4. Hello ma’am it’s a great joy to meet you and work alongside you. That being said, I’ve attempting to make the GRAPH–FARM HOME potholder and can’t get the stitch count correct. Any idea on what I’m doing wrong? My email is [email protected] or I’m on facebook. I really want to make these lovely potholders for my daughter in law as she loves my work.

    Reply
    • Hi Bonnie,
      The most important thing is to include your initial ch 1 in the stitch count.
      What I do at the beginning of each row is to ch 1, skip the very first st of the row below (because the ch 1 is your first st), and then start crocheting the rest of the row. That’s why for each row, the instructions always include a Ch 1 and 44 sc, for a total of 45 sts.
      I hope this answered your question πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. I don’t understand your comment about “free” patterns. When I see “free” patterns, I think of them as being able to print them out for my usage. I don’t sell the patterns, nor do I sale any product that I crochet. The are for family. I went ahead and subscribed to your page, but unless
    I can print a pattern, I will not stay with you. Sincerely, Carole Hauf, [email protected].

    Reply
    • Hi, I am sorry you feel like that.
      To me, “Free patterns” means that you are able of accessing all the patterns on the website without paying.
      If you would like to print the patterns and keep them in your craft library, I think it is fair to ask for a little contribution. Paying a very small amount of money for a printable pattern could be a very nice way to support my little corner on the Internet (which costs me money to maintain). However, you are not forced to do that. That’s why you could always save the pattern page in your browser or pin the pattern to Pinterest so that you can always find it back for free.
      Happy crocheting πŸ™‚
      Raffaella

      Reply
  6. I am excited to look over all of your patterns. I have started my own small business and love looking for new patterns to make up and challenge myself beside the single, double and triple stitches. I love yarn and have way too much, but then again what is too much when it comes to yarn.

    Jennifer
    xonanaxo.com

    Reply
  7. Hello,
    I’m trying to find your e-book. Whether it’s free or I have to pay. Can you tell me how I can get it. There are quite a few patterns my Aunt and I would like to try.
    Thank you, in advance for your help.

    Reply
  8. Hi Raffaella. My father was born in the Abruzzi region as well; what town are you from, if you don’t mind me asking? Daddy was born in Cansano. Thank you for sharing your story and your lovely patterns! Ciao!!

    Reply
    • Hi Jeannette,
      I’ve never been to Cansano, but I know the area and it’s really beautiful. I’ll go around there in a few days for a short trip, cannot wait! Anyhow, as for me, I come from Roseto degli Abruzzi πŸ™‚

      Reply

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