Seattle jeweler creates statement pieces from metal and lace

SEATTLE – A Seattle jewelry designer uses crochet to create unique rings, necklaces, and earrings.

Twyla Dill wants her statement pieces to send women an up-to-date message: “Be yourself, loud and clear.”

“I like to think that I’m taking traditional grandmother’s crochet to a new level,” she said. “I always liked details that are so fiddly and small, and that was fiddly and small, it really was.” Fun!”

Her line of vibrant, stylish jewelry is a juxtaposition of metalwork and tiny, intricate stitches.

She creates the line in a Lake City studio, but the inspiration started years ago when she was a teenager.

“I actually had a pretty crazy journey realizing school wasn’t working for me. And technically, I’m a high school dropout,” said Dill. “”

She traveled abroad with her father for a year and ended up living abroad in Istanbul, Turkey.

“It’s a lot like Seattle in that it has lots of rolling hills,” she said. “I fell in love with Turkish dance and Turkish music.”

She was also passionate about Turkish art, including oya – crocheted lace.

“I was obsessed. I’ve been crocheting tiny things since then, ”she said.

Oya morphed into her own designs and Twyla Dill jewelry was born in 2015.

The making of each handcrafted piece is a multi-step process that begins with metal working to shape the jewelry. Then dill carefully crochet designs on the small pieces.

It is a meditative exercise that requires intense focus. Dill counts every stitch to make sure the pieces are even.

But this is where their interest in uniformity ends. She wants her work to represent individuality.

“I think in this culture we are told a lot about what’s trendy or what’s cool to wear. It just kept driving me crazy,” she said. “While following a trend can be fun where you really are.” Finding freedom is in self-expression. It’s exciting to see people get into it. “

Dill hopes her customers will wear her pieces with a sense of joy and empowerment.

“Help women really feel in love with themselves and feel excited and celebrate that,” she said. “You are the most important person in your life!”

Dill operates a stand at Pike Place Market every Friday-Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The pieces can also be ordered online.