Hi, I’m Christan

I was taught to crochet by a friend’s grandmother when I was in the third grade. Now I have a third grader of my own, and I hope it's a skill I can pass down to her, too.

When my kids were little, I started crocheting toys for them. That eventually grew into Stitches by Moonlight. The name came pretty naturally. With two young kids and a full-time job that isn't this one, a lot of my creating happens in the evenings, on weekends, and in those quiet hours when everyone is in bed. Most of the designs you’ll find here have quite literally been stitched under moonlight!

About two years ago, Moonlit Hollow began to take shape.

My kids and I started by creating the characters. We decide who they are, what their personality is like, and what their story might be. Then I figure out how to bring that character to life with yarn.

My kids are also my first product testers. The dolls get cuddled, carried around, taken outside, packed for trips, and included in whatever adventure they come up with . Watching how my kids play with them has shaped the way I design each toy.

I want to make beautiful designs, but I also want children to be able to enjoy them. These are toys meant for adventures, bedtime, tea parties, dirty hands, and a trip through the washer when needed.

My patterns aren't intended for someone picking up a crochet hook for the very first time, but you don't need to be an expert, either. If you know the basic stitches, can make a magic circle, and can follow a pattern, you can make all of the characters here.

My hope is that you'll make something that becomes part of a child's story, and that these handmade creations are played with, loved, and maybe even passed down one day.

And if it gets completely loved to pieces along the way? You still have the pattern to make it again!