Etsy Knitters and Crocheters on Parade

Shortly after I opened my shop, I came across a shop with the most beautiful flowers. They weren't traditional crocheted flowers. They were knitted and unlike any I had ever seen. I had to have her rose pattern because it is the most gorgeous I have ever seen. I knitted it up, all the pieces came out great! When my sewing skills improve, I will sew it together the way it is supposed to be and add it to some accessories to make them gorgeous. This is how I met May Lee Ho. She is the owner of Ohmay Designs. Take a look at these pictures and see if you can stay away from her shop.

May, your flowers are so BEAUTIFUL. Most flowers are crocheted. What inspired you to design knitted flowers?

Thanks Dianne. I do know a bit of crocheting, but it is not my favorite thing to do. I had just joined the California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE) and the team has a monthly challenge with themes. The theme at that time was Christmas in July. Thinking of Christmas type items, the poinsettia came to mind. I thought the shape of the petals did not seem that difficult to recreate. With needle in hand and some yarn from my stash, I started, one petal at a time.

Would you please take us through your design process?

I love texture and am always intrigued with how a series of increases and decreases will bring some string to life.. Many of my flowers were created unintentionally from designs that did not work out as originally planned. I think of the shape I want and start knitting; increasing/decreasing at will. Sometimes they come out and sometimes not, but the “mistakes” always remind me of another one of nature’s beauties. So, I keep the sample and continue trying for the shape of the design in mind. At times, I like the “mistake” so much that I shelve my original design and continue to work and improve the “mistake”. My aster flower was one of my “mistakes”. I liked the way the petals looked and continued with the secondary design and lo and behold it all came together. Another of my ideas came from the creation telling me what it wanted to be, the creation of my wedge shaped flower neckpieces. I had put the original piece away and when I took it out again, it had folded in on itself and I just loved how it looked.

If you were stranded on a deserted island with every kind of yarn imaginable, what would you knit?

OMG….first I would have to touch and feel everything and then like picking a puppy, find one that “talks” to me and of course, it will tell me what it want to be. Crazy huh?

Is there something you are dying to try or create but just haven't been able to get to it?

Felting……needle and/or wet felting. I do a bit of felting now by knitting the piece first and then felting, but I want to learn about the other techniques. I just love the way it is so mysterious, just never knowing how it will come out in the wash..

When did you learn to knit and who taught you?


I picked up the basics when I was 12 years old from my sister. It bloomed into an addiction when I was in my late teens and it just keeps growing stronger.

What do you enjoy most?

I really enjoy knitting and selling in Etsy and other venues. It is very gratifying to have strangers see and love your items enough to buy it. There is nothing like getting a sale, whether it is your first or 1000th. The knitters in the Etsy street team, Etysknitters aka EKS), are a fantastically talented bunch and they keep bringing new and exciting ideas and support to the team members. Yay for the ability to do what you love to do.

Now tell the truth. Have you all already checked out her shop before you finished reading the interview? If you haven't click on the title Etsy Knitters and Crocheters on Parade or go to http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5202957