Zavalla’s crocheting hobby has endured
10/1/2025Crocheting, knitting and sewing are nearly lost arts. With a glut of online shopping, buyers don’t feel the need to spend hours making something when they can easily find it on the internet.
Yet, for Sandi Zavalla, her hobby of crocheting has endured — and even progressed — through the years.
Zavalla crochets stuffed animals, soft cuddly figurines and “lovies” for kids. These super-soft, huggable animals are crocheted and made with plush yarn or chenille fabric.
Traditional animals, such as stuffed teddy bears, cats and dogs, are popular. She began making trendy “stuffies,” which combine a small security blanket with the plush stuffed animal head. With some items, she crochets eyes to avoid any choking hazards with buttons.
Zavalla creates unusual stuffed animals, at the request of her grandkids, who keep her updated on current trends. She has made axolotls and Pokémon characters, such a Pikachu. SpongeBob, the Grinch and Bluey are also popular. Zavalla formerly used patterns to create the animals. Now, she examines an item and easily crochets it.
“I can usually figure it out,” she admits. “I don’t use patterns anymore.”
In addition to plush toys, she also crochets kid’s sweaters, market bags, dishcloths, keychains and more. She will also sew custom requests for various patterns and colors.
Zavalla learned to crochet from her grandmother, who raised her.
“She was always making baby booties and bonnets,” she recalls. “The most I could do was crochet a chain of yarn.”
When Zavalla was pregnant, she made a baby blanket. She then crocheted various items throughout the years. After she retired as a Realtor, a stockpile of crocheted stuffed animals needed homes. She set up an Etsy account and currently sells items at craft shows.
When she first began crocheting, she used a tight, detailed stitch for her items. About three years ago, she began using plush yarn. The plush and blanket yarn is made using larger stiches, although the yarn is more expensive.
“People love these. It’s so soft and cute,” she explains. “I started making everything with this material because that’s what people buy.”
At home, her sunroom and spare bedroom are filled with supplies and stuffed plush toys. She estimates she spends about eight hours a day, at least five days a week, crocheting.
“When I’m crocheting, I’m also thinking of the next design,” she reflects. “I don’t keep track of how many I’ve done.”
One of the main reasons she makes items is to see children’s reactions.
“Kids give me the most joy. When I’m at a show, the kids’ faces just light up. They love it so much,” she reflects.
She prices items compared to Etsy, minus any shipping charges. Most items are one of a kind.
“It’s not just a toy; it’s a handmade heirloom,” she says. If you don’t get it, it’s gone.”
For more information about her work, email zavalla1955@gmail.com. Or, find Zavalla’s work at the Blake Fieldhouse in Indianola, Oct. 26; Edgewater Holiday Mart, Nov. 1; Glad Tidings Church, Nov. 23; and Valley Community Center, Dec. 7.