Hello! I'm Juli! Welcome to Once Upon a Cheerio!
My obsession with yarn crafts began with a pair of handmade amigurumi binnes I received as a wedding gift. That one-of-a-kind treasure sparked a passion for crochet that has stayed with me ever since. After learning the basics of crochet from my mother and honing my skills through years of practice, I transitioned from following patterns to designing my own.
I started Once Upon a Cheerio in 2016 as an Instagram account just to share what I was making. Since then, it's bloomed into this blog, a place I can provide original, free crochet patterns and tutorials for makers of all skill levels. My goal is to combine my love for design with practical, easy-to-follow guidance so you can feel confident with every project you start.
As Seen In & Published Works
Over the years, my work has been recognized across the crafting world. I've been featured in Shutterfly, Country Living, Crochet Nation, Let's Knit Magazine, and Let's Get Crafting Magazine.
In addition, I co-authored Harry Potter: The Official Crochet Amigurumi Book, published in 2024.
These opportunities allowed me to connect with a wider community and share my passion for crochet with makers around the world.
My Design Philosophy
I believe crochet should be accessible. I love the crafting community. In fact, I learned to crochet through the generosity of other free blogs and resources, and I was constantly amazed at how willing people were to share their expertise. Once Upon a Cheerio is my way of giving back to the same community and sharing what I've learned along the way.
You won't find a Pinterest-perfect yarn studio here! My "design headquarters" is a plain, simple desk in the corner of my bedroom. It's usually covered in yarn scraps and half-finished projects. I don't believe that you need a fancy space to create fancy things. Just a good hook, a bit of imagination, and a cozy spot to sit.
Because I am a firm believer in "learning by doing," I share those behind-the-scenes and yarn-tastrophes and triumphs on my YouTube Channel.
Life Beyond the Yarn
Like many crafters, I've mastered the art of "yarn hoarding," and while our space is cozy, I'm lucky to have a husband who is incredibly supportive of every new hobby and project I bring home.
We are blessed with two wonderful little (or not-so-little) girls. They have been my biggest inspiration since they were toddlers. In fact, they're the reason I started this journey! Even as they grow, they remain my chief "pattern testers" and the creative spark behind many of the designs you see here.
I started Once Upon a Cheerio in 2017 to document my journey through motherhood and creativity. Since then, it has evolved into a space where I can share my original crochet patterns for free and hopefully inspire you to create something beautiful, one stitch at a time. I'm so glad you're here to join me in this handmade life!
Let's Connect!
When I'm not hooked on a new project, you can find me travelling with my family or hunting for the perfect skein of yarn.
