Portrait 002 · BRAZIL
Milla
Thread by Thread
From learning at nine years old to a craft that became an essential part of her days, Milla built her path in crochet with patience, persistence and a great deal of work.
Introduction by World Crochet Journal
Milla discovered crochet as a child, in a small town in the Brazilian Northeast, from a neighbour she considers a mother.
She made, undid, began again. Years later, a simple suggestion from her sister set everything in motion, and the thread slowly became a craft, then a name: Milla Arts Crochês.
Homemaker, mother, wife and artisan, she says she does not go a single day without crocheting. In this second portrait of World Crochet Journal, she tells us what a thread can hold.
Sometimes I myself am amazed looking at it and admiring it: wow, I was the one who made this
In her own words · Faithfully translated from Portuguese
How did crochet come into your life?
My name is Milla, I was born in a small town in Luzilândia, Piauí, in the Northeast. At 14 my parents sent me to Brasília, where we live. My story in crochet began at 9 years old: a neighbour, Dona Mariana, whom I consider a mother, was the one who taught me the basic crochet stitches. Like everything at the beginning, I found it difficult because they were not perfect, I would make and undo, but I did not give up. I made a lot of edgings on kitchen cloths for the house itself, precisely because they were not perfect. Today crochet holds a very important place in my daily life. I wake up very early to organise my household routine. I am a homemaker, a mother, a wife and an artisan, with great pride. There are days that are very busy, but I do not go a single day without crocheting. I even work on orders and the clients want to see the result of the finished piece, so I balance it all very well and manage to keep up with the handmade production.
When did crochet also become your work?
It was in 2018, my sister told me to make crocheted edgings on kitchen cloths. I made them, she sold everything very quickly, and that was the beginning. Then one day she said, make a rug. In 2019 I already started with some orders and I kept growing and becoming more professional, and that is how Millaartscroches was born.
Which pieces marked that beginning?
The edgings on kitchen cloths and the rugs were the beginning, where everything started to work out. I have made so many. People who like to decorate their home always want a new, different model, sometimes they want it in other colours and I make it. It is true that my profile has everything. Sometimes I myself am amazed looking at it and admiring it: wow, I was the one who made this. There is work that is not easy, but I keep trying until I manage it, and I am very happy when the client says it turned out better than she expected.
What lies behind every finished piece?
I will tell you that sometimes it is not as easy as it seems, when you see the finished piece. Behind every crochet work we have to have the right yarns, a hook of the right size, and sometimes we need to change the hook because of the tension of the stitches. There is a process that goes far beyond the creation itself, there are hours worked and time devoted to handwork, but I do it with a lot of love and care.
What does crochet represent for you today?
It is extraordinary for me, it is something fascinating: with just a thread and a hook I make incredible pieces. You can dress entirely in crochet pieces, not only home decor but also amigurumi and bags, and the garment side where you only have to use your creativity and make several pieces. I am so happy when I finish a work, because crochet is made of details that enchant me. I have always improved my work as an artisan and I always give my best, because my success will be even greater than it is today.
It is something fascinating: with just a thread and a hook I make incredible pieces
How do you see crochet today, and the role of social media?
Anyone who thinks crochet was forgotten in the past will be surprised by the strength of this ancient art. Crochet is a tradition that unites generations. Now the handmade technique has reinvented itself and has changed the lives of many families, and the number of people who live from the art of crochet only grows. The new generation is taking an interest in this art, so beautiful, which has reached the fashion runways, become a decorating trend and conquered social media through the hands of young creators and entrepreneurs. Social media was a milestone and opened new sales opportunities for all of us entrepreneurs, promoting sales in the digital world. It opened doors for us to connect with other artisans, for this exchange of experiences and for the appreciation of crochet.
What do people not see in handmade work?
It is true! They do not see the time I invested in each piece before it was finished. It is hours, it is days and even almost a month to finish, depending on the piece. Every work has costs, in materials and in travelling to buy yarn. When I make a mistake, I undo it and carry on. So there is a whole process behind the completion of a handmade work. We have to value the time we invest and strengthen our story in handmade crochet work.
If you could crochet anywhere in the world, alongside anyone, where would you be, and who would you like to share that moment with?
I love crocheting outdoors. There is a very beautiful garden in New York, the Conservatory Garden. That garden enchants me, it would be the perfect setting for me and Ellen, my daughter and friend, to crochet. Ellen learned the basic crochet stitches.