About
Hey there, I’m Julie!
I’m 30 going on 25 or so. I live near Los Angeles, CA in an area known as the South Bay, just a few minutes from the beach! I work as a crochet designer for my shop, also called Gleeful Things. My main business is designing patterns but I also sell crochet goods made from my patterns.
My blog is proof of my obsession with crafting and love of all things handmade as I often post tutorials & crafty inspiration. This is my place to share whatever makes me happy – my gleeful things.
I’ve been publishing my own crochet patterns since 2006 and made in my job in 2010.
In the beginning, I was all about amigurumi! Eventually, I started making hats just because I was wanting some to wear. I never had the intention of selling anything aside from amigurumi patterns but figured I may as well sell the hat patterns since I’d already written them. Couldn’t hurt, right? To my surprise, the hat patterns sold way better than amigurumi! So I started focusing more on hats. In June 2012, I released some barefoot sandal patterns and was blown away by the positive response they got! I plan on working on bags and more accessories now.
Aside from crafting,
I love hula hooping (sometimes on fire) and learning new hoop tricks, going for bike rides along the beach, experimenting with photography, tide pooling, playing in the dirt (gardening), chasing squirrels, seal watching, hiking, kayaking, taco Tuesdays, beer tastings, hunting for new music (I ♥ ska), roller disco, collecting pinwheels & garden gnomes. To name a few dozen things… ;)
Want more? 25 random facts about me!
wow i love your blog..i am really pleased i found your blog it’s so inspiring to me..i am 28 going on 21 too..just started on crochet and sewing i love poi and i want to improve my macrame..how Bizarre is the internet somtimes..anyways i love your ideas and crafts..i just wanted to share that with you!
Awesome! I love finding people on the internet that I have a ton in common with! :D
And I’m glad that you find my blog inspiring! That’s a big compliment! Do you have a blog?
you are just awesome julie :D said it once..twice, saying it again! i’ve been working on my first Amigurumi and i must say.. u make it look so easy! >_<! i've started crochet since i was in HS back in the days, and it died down somehow. now after going through what crochet can do these days, i jus had to come back. not only it's a great past-time, it gets my mind off of things i don't want to think about and amazingly, it's helped a bunch. thanks to u, u've brought the life back to my crocheting!
Thank you! You totally made me smile! I’m so happy that I could help get you back into crocheting! :D
I found your blog not too long ago and I absolutely love it! It’s one of my daily pick-me-ups. I’m 31 going on 21 myself and I’ve really started getting into crafty little things. I love to crochet as well but I have no idea where to start when it comes to designing a pattern. I find your blog to be very inspiring. I look forward to your future projects.
Thank you for the sweet comment! I love to inspire and am so happy that you like my blog! :D
Hi! I really like your blog! the amigurumi are cute and your hats are beautiful! i just started crocheting amigurumi so i’d like to ask, where do you buy your safety eyes? or where do you recommend for buying them? i couldnt find them at my craft store and i dont know any safe websites online.
Thank you! I usually buy the solid black ones at Joann’s. But for all the rest, I buy from here: http://www.crscraft.com
Julie, I love your designs-especially the blue one you’re wearing on your home page. Can you clarify which pattern are you wearing there since I really love the look!
I haven’t had the courage to tackle any Amigurumi but I can crochet or knit most anything….although it doesn’t always fit when I’m done….anyway… I’m interested in ordering that design, the blue one. thanks!
Hi Lisa! It’s the Pineapple Coconut Slouchy. My favorite! Here’s a link to it on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pineapple-coconut-slouchy-hat?buy=1
Just now came across your website—-DELIGHTFUL!!! I will be doing your tiny cacti,not just for me, but for the others in my family to put in their places of work or at home. I am sure they will find them adorable. I’ll be looking for more of your mini patterns to do. Keep up the good work.
hey Julie- I LOVE some of your cuties- but more than that – I admire your attitude- ! I have a dozen kids – over 50 greats and grands – but I still feel as you do
- Life is a big open world of learning -doing -exploring and just plain ole having fun. I crochet -partly because it is so much fun and a great feeling of creativity unrolling under your hook-and because – I can’t eat when i am crocheting- it is a great diet helper! I need to get rid of a muffin top or 2
- keep on keepin on !!! My email name tells you about my attitude – hope you live as long as I do and have as much fun as I do -doing it . Best wishes-sandra
Hey!! I just found you guys by looking at the pattern for the cute cacti!! I think that you guys have the cutest little things ever! I just started doing harder things in crocheting and knitting ( I use to only do scarves and blankets, lol) I can’t wait to try a few of these little cuties!
I’m going to give your Gumdrop Slouchy Hat a try. I found a pattern on another site for a ruffle scarf that will go perfectly with the hat as they both call for bulky yarn. This combo will make a great birthday gift for a friend. By the way, I’m pushing 66 and my friend 65 and we are both going on 40 something. We have been friends for 56 years. Thanks for a great freebie pattern…and stay forever young!!
Peg
Hallo,
wow you have a great blog. Sorry, my english is very bad ;)
I love your Amigurumis. Good work
best wishes from Italy
from Katja
The picture on your site (small one, left hand corner) looks just like the head of the hospital on the tv series House.
Also you are very talented. I crochet for cancer children and you have given me many ideas. If I use one of your patterns, I will buy one.
Thank you for your time and talent
Hi there, I came across your site looking for a slouchy crochet hat. I am not much of a crochet person as I am a loom knitting person. But I crochet a hat for the first time and loved it and a I banged out 2 more. It was so simple.
My main reason for commenting is that after I saw some post, I ran into ur hooping post. I love hooping and just started about 6 months ago. Also u live in the south bay and I live in hawthorne… we’re neighbors. I hope to make my own LED and teach one day. I am part of Hoop Trainer (check us out on facebook). Once the weather gets warmer, I hope to hoop at the beach. Happy hooping!
I just discovered your blog and I love it!
Guess I´m gonna be very busy with working through all your patterns! :)
Thanks for that!!!
Sabine
Thanks for the pattern crotcheting has been a hobby of mine since I was a teen and cutting costs for patterns sure is nice! Thanks for being there.
Granny in Tennessee
I started crocheting back in December (mostly to keep my hands moving since i have lyme disease now) and i found your blog about a month ago. I just wanted to say thanks for making patterns that i actually really love!! You are an inspiration!
I love your blog! All of your crafts are adorable.:) Keep up the good work!
P.S.- I love the beanie on your picture. <3
Hi Julie. My name is Rhonda Camp,and I am a crochet addict. I’m very thankful for talented people like you who share your talent with the world.
If you ever need extra people to help you test your patterns I would love to test them for you.
Again, thanks for sharing your talent with all of us. God bless, Rhonda
What an awesome site, I’m so glad I came across it. Thanks for all the glee! :)
I really like the waffle cone hat…is there any way I can buy the pattern and then sell items made from it? Thanks!! <
Thanks! I’m so glad you like it! Sorry but I do not allow anything made from any of my patterns to be sold.
Hi Julie love your blog. i was wondering if you could do a tutorial round up on how to crochet. Just the basics so eventually beginners can be as good as you.
Hi. I’m wondering if you could please help me with your waffle cone slouchy hat pattern. I’m having trouble understanding what it means when you say do a chain in the double crochet or when it says to do two chains in the double crochet. Can you please help me with that? I have to make it for a school assignment. Thank you!
Hi Sara! It just means that after the double crochet, you’ll chain 1. In the spots where you’re increasing, you’ll be doing 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 1, all in the same stitch. I hope that helps! I’m curious what kind of school assignment requires you to make my hat? That’s awesome! I wish I had gotten to crochet in school! :)
Thanks for the pattern of Goddess Barefoot Sandals, with your instruction I can made one of this for me. You are a good crocheter. Thanks, thanks…
I made my very first hat with this website
wow julie, i love your creativity! i cant wait to make my atempt at the barefoot sandles;)
I love your blog. I have a question. I am looking for a simple angel patterns. I want to make them for fundraising to help a family from San Diego/Brawley. Their family has suffered a tragedy and has to bury a mother and two daughters as well as care for the remaining daughter who is in ICU. Do you know of any that aren’t too kitchy? I would like to use my talent and my huge stash of yarn to help raise money for them.
Thank you,
Brenda
Beautiful Blog! Love your patterns as well!
What type of crochet hooks do you use? As well as did you do your own web desgin? I am in love with it, my blog is still… well in progress haha.
Your blog is so inspiring! Keep up the good work!!
hi i am looking to buy the pattern for the sparkler bag and saw that if you have bought the sparkler slouchy hat in the past that you could still get the disscount. i was wondering how to do that?
Yep! You can still get the deal! Just add both to your cart and the discount will be taken off automatically :)
Hi Julie,
I am going to attempt to make your purple waffle cone beannie. Just love it! But I have a question for you regarding a picture on your “favorite finds”. It is the one of your living room…with the orange, purple, and pink seating arrangement. Where can I find that same thing but different colors? Can you refer me to a website?
Thanks,
Sharon
T
I love your patterns! I made a sparkly hat for a friend and it turned out so great! I’ve also made a few slouchy hats for others and now I am finally making one for me. What fun things you design! Thanks so much for your tutorials, as well.
Sincerely, Beth I.