When self-proclaimed country girl Anna Snyder picks up a crochet hook, she is able to stitch a simple ball of yarn into an offbeat masterpiece. From zombies with dangling eyeballs and mohawks, to famous characters and one-of-a-kind creations, she can crochet just about anything a person’s heart desires.
Anna tells us that her love of crochet began while she was very young, after her mom taught her the basics. At first, she started making blankets, Christmas stockings and Easter baskets. But, now, after decades of refining her craft, her expertise has given her the ability to create special characters that make amazing gifts, or just add to one’s collection.
Her move from the ordinary to the unique started when a friend asked her if she could make a special item. “A friend saw me making scarves and she asked me if I could make an octopus. After that, people started asking me if I could make things for them, and the stuffed animals just took off,” says Anna. “I had no idea that you could do as much as there is out there.”
As more people started asking for special items and characters, the Mercer County resident realized that she could take her love of crochet and turn it into a business.
“I started my business three years ago making stuffed animals and dolls,” she explains. Anna began selling her creations through facebook, at various local vendor events, including Comic-Con in Roanoke, VA, and at Tickety Boo Mercantile located in uptown Beckley.
She tells us each creation takes about three to four hours to make, but some, including a three foot tall Pennywise doll, made famous in Stephen King’s “It,” can take weeks to make.
Just this past October, she expanded her business and opened a booth at the Route 52 Flea Market located in Mercer County, close to the Bluefield State College campus.
She tells us each creation takes about three to four hours to make, but some, including a three foot tall Pennywise doll, made famous in Stephen King’s “It,” can take weeks to make. “He is my tallest creation by far,” says Anna. While she jokes that her husband has already called “dibs” on Pennywise, she says she enjoys making items like this for her customers.
In a typical month, Anna will make about 20-30 creations, including scarves featuring skulls and numerous custom orders.
Recently, she made a crocheted interpretation of Cartoon Cat, a character created by artist and illustrator Trevor Henderson, for a person who loves his work. She also makes special characters that cannot be found in stores for children who have special needs.
Anna shares, “As long as I can see a photo, I can make it.” And one of the best things about her crocheted creations is that they do not cost a fortune. A typical creation is about $40.
“For me it’s a passion,” she says of crochet, adding that she loves watching her creations “come to life in her hands.”
In a typical month, Anna will make about 20-30 creations, including scarves featuring skulls and numerous custom orders.
When Anna isn’t making her crochet creations, she can be found camping, gardening, collecting herbs and moss, and fishing in the Bluestone River.
See Anna’s work @annascrochetedenterprise on facebok. To contact her, email annasnyder13@gmail.com or call 304-809-5305.
– Autumn Shelton. HashtagWV #140. March 2022.
