Alexa Grivakes
by Coco Wu
Creativity often sparks in the most unexpected places, and for Ms. Grivakes, it was a mountain biking accident which became the catalyst for her artistic journey. Two summers ago, a broken ankle left her couch-bound. Now, with more free time than ever, it was the perfect opportunity to seek out a new hobby. Inspired by her neighbour, an avid crocheter and knitter, she was introduced to this art form. What started as a way to pass the time quickly blossomed into a full-fledged passion. "I haven't stopped since," she notes, reflecting on her newfound passion.
Ms. Grivakes’ creative process is shaped by the people she cares about and those she follows on social media. These individuals guide her process in choosing colours and techniques in her craft. Her approach to design reflects both her inspirations and her thoughtful consideration of those she’s creating for.
Like any creative endeavour, challenges are an inherent part of the process. For Ms. Grivakes, each project is a learning experience, giving her more experience with each trial and error. “...That is what I enjoy so much about the process,” she shares. This mindset of embracing difficulties and struggles with optimism allows her to persevere through challenges. Ms. Grivakes shares helpful tips for overcoming them, noting helpful resources such as Youtube, where there are tutorials of all kinds, and a helpful community to offer additional advice. Her neighbour also serves as a valuable resource whenever she gets stuck, offering guidance and support. Ms. Grivakes explains that the sense of accomplishment when finishing a project is what keeps her going. “With trial and error and persistence, I can create something pretty cool,” she says, acknowledging the value of perseverance in her artistic growth.
Ms. Grivakes is currently enjoying the process of experimenting with different crochet techniques. “I have been enjoying trying all different techniques as I learn this craft,” she explains. Unlike other forms of art, crochet allows for a closer relationship between the artist and their medium, where each stitch becomes a small piece of a larger creation. This makes crochet both a deeply personal form of expression. Whether she’s learning a new technique or refining an old one, she believes that the beauty of crochet lies in its versatility, an avenue of creative expression and artistic evolution.
One project that stands out for Ms. Grivakes is a crocheted baby book she made for her niece. The project was particularly meaningful because it involved several new techniques she had never tried before. “It actually turned out,” she says, reflecting on the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a challenging piece. Though she admits to being “terrible at documenting” her work and didn’t take a photo of the baby book, the project remains a milestone in her crochet journey. “I think I will make that a New Year’s resolution,” she jokes, planning to document her future creations more carefully.
Ending off on a powerful note, Ms. Grivakes offers advice grounded in her own experiences to aspiring crocheters. “Start with simple patterns to understand basic techniques. Don’t be discouraged by mistakes; they are part of the learning process,” she encourages. Mistakes are inevitable, but they are also essential to the learning process, and embracing them is key to growth as an artist.
Ms. Grivakes’ journey into crochet is a testament to the transformative power of creativity. What began as a way to pass the time during an injury has become a lifelong passion, filled with exploration, learning, and personal connection. Through perseverance and a willingness to experiment, she has found joy in the process and beauty in the results. Her story serves as a reminder that creativity can emerge from the most unexpected places, and with patience and dedication, it can lead to creating beautiful artwork and a truly fulfilling hobby.
Ms. Grivakes’ creative process is shaped by the people she cares about and those she follows on social media. These individuals guide her process in choosing colours and techniques in her craft. Her approach to design reflects both her inspirations and her thoughtful consideration of those she’s creating for.
Like any creative endeavour, challenges are an inherent part of the process. For Ms. Grivakes, each project is a learning experience, giving her more experience with each trial and error. “...That is what I enjoy so much about the process,” she shares. This mindset of embracing difficulties and struggles with optimism allows her to persevere through challenges. Ms. Grivakes shares helpful tips for overcoming them, noting helpful resources such as Youtube, where there are tutorials of all kinds, and a helpful community to offer additional advice. Her neighbour also serves as a valuable resource whenever she gets stuck, offering guidance and support. Ms. Grivakes explains that the sense of accomplishment when finishing a project is what keeps her going. “With trial and error and persistence, I can create something pretty cool,” she says, acknowledging the value of perseverance in her artistic growth.
Ms. Grivakes is currently enjoying the process of experimenting with different crochet techniques. “I have been enjoying trying all different techniques as I learn this craft,” she explains. Unlike other forms of art, crochet allows for a closer relationship between the artist and their medium, where each stitch becomes a small piece of a larger creation. This makes crochet both a deeply personal form of expression. Whether she’s learning a new technique or refining an old one, she believes that the beauty of crochet lies in its versatility, an avenue of creative expression and artistic evolution.
One project that stands out for Ms. Grivakes is a crocheted baby book she made for her niece. The project was particularly meaningful because it involved several new techniques she had never tried before. “It actually turned out,” she says, reflecting on the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a challenging piece. Though she admits to being “terrible at documenting” her work and didn’t take a photo of the baby book, the project remains a milestone in her crochet journey. “I think I will make that a New Year’s resolution,” she jokes, planning to document her future creations more carefully.
Ending off on a powerful note, Ms. Grivakes offers advice grounded in her own experiences to aspiring crocheters. “Start with simple patterns to understand basic techniques. Don’t be discouraged by mistakes; they are part of the learning process,” she encourages. Mistakes are inevitable, but they are also essential to the learning process, and embracing them is key to growth as an artist.
Ms. Grivakes’ journey into crochet is a testament to the transformative power of creativity. What began as a way to pass the time during an injury has become a lifelong passion, filled with exploration, learning, and personal connection. Through perseverance and a willingness to experiment, she has found joy in the process and beauty in the results. Her story serves as a reminder that creativity can emerge from the most unexpected places, and with patience and dedication, it can lead to creating beautiful artwork and a truly fulfilling hobby.
