The Crocheting Professor's Story

Welcome! 

I am so happy that you are here! 

My name is Gwen - the sole owner and maker of the beautiful fidgets and plushies that you see here! In addition to being a maker of these handmade products, I am a mother of three, wife, sister to ten brothers and sisters (yes you read that right!), a professor of special education and elementary education, supervisor of college students, and a guardian to my brother with Down Syndrome. All of this keeps me super busy and after having my youngest five years ago, but I rediscovered my love for crocheting and this wonderful shop is a product of that. 

Growing up, I struggled with Attention Deficit Disorder and as an adult with Anxiety. Crocheting became a way to keep my hands busy and distracted when I went through some difficult things in my life. I lost my mom in high school to a rare bile duct and liver cancer and then my dad after my son turned one. Both of these losses in my life often have me pour myself into my work and my crafts. 

My brother with Down syndrome and I has helped drive me into becoming the person I am today. He inspired me to become a special education teacher (I taught for 7 years) and more recently a professor of special education (this is my third year of teaching in higher education). I defended my dissertation back in February of 2021. After some bouts of difficulties with burnout and overworking myself, I am working to establish balance with things that I love and get me off of digital screens. 

As I found beautiful fidget designs to crochet (thank you @cableandcanvas and @willowand.wild for the amazing patterns!), I found that not only were these small crochet projects were quick and easy to make but I benefitted using them as I teach. So many people encouraged me to open a shop or attending markets to sell my crocheted products and so, The Crocheting Professor was born. I love to spend time on my weekends to crochet new products that help make creative process a whole lot more fun. 

Thank you for your patience as I set up this website and spend time between creating, teaching future teachers, and my family. Please check back frequently for updates and big announcements. Sign up for our newsletter for updates for early access and special discounts on new releases! 

Thank you for all the love and support of my small crocheting business! If you would like to contact me for any reason, feel free to contact me at degerdesignstudio@gmail.com. 

<3 - Dr. Gwen Deger