Blu Budgie Designs

For Melissa, creativity has been woven into the fabric of her life for as long as she can remember. She grew up exploring every craft under the sun, but it was her mum who taught her crochet, and so crochet is the one thing she always comes back to.

Before long, a hook and a ball of yarn became her portable sanctuary. Melissa took her projects everywhere, treating them as a pocket-sized pause button—a way to unwind, quiet the noise and make something beautiful with a single strand of yarn.

With roughly two decades immersed in dressmaking and textiles, crafting became more than second nature; it’s her joy. So, when Melissa noticed sewing and crochet were slowly fading into the background of modern life, she stepped up with a mission. Blu Budgie Designs was born to breathe fresh energy into classic skills and pass the torch to a new generation of makers. 

Her crochet workshops go well beyond counting stitches or following patterns. They’re about keeping heritage crafts thriving, gathering a warm community of makers, and offering a calming antidote to doom-scrolling.

Let’s hear from the maker herself!

In three words, my crochet classes are…

“Relaxed, therapeutic and enjoyable.”

The vibes to expect at my workshops…

“I create lessons that are not only inspiring and fun but are structured to help you succeed, no matter your age or skill level. 

Mostly, my classes evolve into a vibe of quiet focus so people can concentrate on their grip and tension.” 

A big thing to love about crochet classes and the slow craft movement… 

“It completely transforms perspectives on handmade goods. When you buy something mass-produced off a shelf, it’s easy to overlook the human element. But when you sit down at a workshop and construct an item stitch-by-stitch, you suddenly understand the true cost of a handmade item.

It shifts your appreciation, and you start to think about:

• The investment of time that goes into the art

In our fast-paced world of instant gratification, crochet forces you to slow down.

• The power of patience

Every single loop requires intention, focus, and precision.

• The beauty in unique items

No two hand-crocheted items are ever identical. Every maker has their own unique tension, rhythm, and subtle variations.” 

My favourite part of the class is…

“I love seeing people watch a single thread of yarn transform into a one-of-a-kind treasure that carries their personality and story. It’s something a machine can never replicate. 

I especially love when people send me a picture of their completed crochet piece from home, even if it’s just a granny square!”

The best things about gathering around a table with yarn and tea...

“It creates space where conversations flow without pressure, from talking about their husbands' bad habits to places they would love to travel. 

Plus, everyone in the group is working towards a shared goal, whether it be crocheting for a charity or making something for themselves. It’s a wholesome, easy thing to have in common.”