By Jonathan Burger, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, Inc.
Where are you from, and how did you come to Eastern North Carolina?
My name is Donnasia Gray-Patton, and I was born and raised in New Bern, North Carolina. My family roots are deeply rooted here, dating back to around 1904, when my great-great-grandmother was raised here on my maternal side. I’ve lived here for 25 years, half of my life in Trent Court and the rest in Vanceboro, NC.
You do crochet. What about that medium appeals to you?
Crocheting started out as a hobby for me in 2022. I enjoy crocheting because there are so many things you can create in fiber arts. I specialize in creating clothes, but you can also make home appliances, filet crochet, amigurumi, tapestry, and freeform. Having many avenues to tap into keeps me intrigued to learn about the different forms and the ways you can express yourself within them. It amazes me with all you can do with just one hook and a skein of yarn. I also enjoy crocheting because it is therapeutic and allows me to be present in the process of creating all of my projects.
Do you have any formal training, or are you self-taught, or a combination of both?
I don’t have any formal training in crochet. I taught myself how to crochet on YouTube. I started off learning the basics of crochet. I taught myself 5 beginner stitches, then I started watching tutorials to make different pieces. From hats to cardigans, shorts to skirts, dresses to purses, initially, that led me to freehand crochet, which is being able to crochet from memory alone.
Do you use a lot of patterns for your work, or do you create your own?
At first, I couldn’t read patterns. As I learned crochet terminology, I taught myself to read patterns. After connecting online with the crochet community, I was inspired to create my first two patterns in 2025. I mostly create freehand, but also support other crocheters by buying and testing their patterns.
How have you seen the medium or field of crochet change over the past several years?
Crocheting has made a massive resurgence driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. As many people refer to it as a “grandma hobby”, it has been adopted into the Gen Z culture. It’s not only sustainable and slow fashion,but many people have expressed how therapeutic crochet can be, and I can attest to that. Crochet has transitioned from a household hobby to mainstream in the fashion industry. There has been an increasing emergence of crochet entrepreneurs since 2021, generating 43.4 billion in retail sales. Overall, it isn’t just a hobby anymore. Crochet can’t be replicated by machines, which brings a unique authenticity for business and for Gen Z consumers.
Crochet isn’t basic at all. We have creators who make intricate pieces that are inspired by their stories, personalities, and art that is turned into wearables, artwork, accessories, and more!
Is there another artist whose work you admire or that inspires you?
In the crochet industry, there are many artisans that I admire. The person who sparked my interest in crochet is Thomas Gregory, known as “Gregory Stitch”. He is known for his creative and prestigious garments, transitioning the hobby into high-fashion. I also admire “House of Chelsea B” who is also a prominent designer in the crochet field. Her work is celebrated through her ability to create high-end streetwear, using surface design and textiles to make bold, colorful, and structural pieces into wearable art. I admire my community and the people I’ve met while learning how to crochet. They are more than crocheters, but they are my friends. These creators are Chibbey Wee Crochet, Martha Lee Crochet, Keyz Da Kreator, and many others. If it wasn’t for them inspiring me, I wouldn’t have become the refined crocheter I am in my journey.
What one piece, award, or exhibition are you particularly proud of, and why?
I am particularly proud of the impact I’ve made in my community. I am proud of teaching my community through schools in our area. I taught 3rd -5th-grade students how to crochet for a year, watching them take the basic stitches and their knowledge and create their own work that sparked a passion within them. I’m also proud of teaching others online and providing tips to start their crochet journey, highlighting the importance of learning the foundation and using this medium as a way of expressing yourself through the art of crochet. My philosophy of teaching crochet is the butterfly effect, which is small deliberate acts that later leads to massive changes in a positive way. For instance, I’ve taught others how to crochet and now they’re starting their own business, expressed how crochet has improved their mental health and how it has impacted their lives overall.
What advice do you have for other artists just starting out?
My advice for other artists just starting out is to always give yourself grace when learning something new. We often put so much pressure on ourselves by setting high expectations for something we only picked up for a short period of time. Doing that takes the fun out of learning when art has no boundaries, and it’s subjective ! Always express yourself with confidence when you’re creating anything! Don’t be afraid to show who you are through your creations because you never know the impact it may have on a person and what it may inspire others to do in the future.
In one sentence, what is art to you?
Art is a form of expression, representing who we are on the inside, and our purpose is to share that through creativity, comfort, and confidence.
I know you’ll be a part of the African American Heritage and Culture Center’s African American Art exhibition, but where else can people find your work.
You can find most of my work on TikTok! My name is on there as “HookedByDee”. You can also find my website at www.HookedByDee.com … I will also be posting more on all platforms as HookedByDee!