Meet Erinna Lee

By Robynn Ross

Going by the handle of @littleaquagirl on Instagram, Erinna Lee is a crochet amigurumi pattern designer who creates predominantly pastel coloured cute characters as a side hustle to her present job as a cancer researcher.

A er finishing her education in Singapore, Erinna moved to Australia in 1999, then le for London to pursue her dream to become a professional classical ballet dancer. She then traversed the globe again to move to Melbourne to study at the Australian Ballet School’s Teacher Training Course. In case her ballet career did not work out, her dad encouraged Erinna to attend university where she discovered the world of science. This led to her present position based at La Trobe University and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute where she leads a laboratory. Erinna has not picked up a pair of pointe shoes since.

Erinna’s background in the performing arts and in the biological sciences today, have most definitely influenced her crochet work, as she has been able to draw on the methodical nature of scientific approaches in putting together a detailed crochet pattern, as well as appreciating the beauty of visual art. Crochet started as a hobby to wind down and relax a er a day at work, and she was drawn to crochet amigurumi as she loves plushies and all things sweet and adorable! A er an initial phase of crocheting from beautiful patterns created by other designers, she decided to give pattern design a try, unaware of the success she would attain.

Her motivation comes from fellow makers who tell her how much they enjoyed constructing her design and how the finished product brought the recipients so much joy. Positive feedback is evidence that makers connect to Erinna’s designs, as there is definitely a calming sense of gentleness about her little characters. She has a humble attitude to her work and appreciates it when her designs are chosen to be made, as there are many patterns available on the market.

Currently, Erinna is working on her third book to be published in 2023 with Meteoor Books who run the website amigurumi.com. She feels extremely privileged to have already published her first two books – Amigurumi Treasures 1 and 2 with them, and these have been internationally recognised. (The first book was Highly Commended in the 2020 British Knitting and Crochet Awards, whilst the second was a finalist in the 2021 Frankie Good Stu Awards.) Being published nowadays is a true labour of love, but there is no better feeling than to hold that physical book in your hands at the end of it.

A pastel palette with the ‘kawaii’ aesthetic of sweetness is actively pursued by this designer. Recently, the Scandinavian light neutral tones that focus on a clean, minimalistic aesthetic is providing inspiration. Erinna loves using cotton yarn as the fibre lends itself very well too creating firm yet cuddly shapes for amigurumi creations, such as Krea Deluxe Organic Cotton yarn which originates from Denmark (and which she retails). Erinna is also a fan of other cotton yarns like DMC Natura Just Cotton, Yarn and Colors Must-Have and Ricorumi.

Erinna’s first amigurumi made was a pattern for Snoopy! Her first design was a little penguin inspired by the San-X Sumikko Gurashi range of characters. Looking back at her designs over the years, her style has definitely evolved and now she feels she has settled into a design aesthetic that resonates with her personality. Having a tendency to overcomplicate designs, Erinna o en reminds herself that there is beauty in simplicity and to stop making things harder than they need to be.

Juggling a career with a design business is complicated, as it is not just creating patterns but the need to be on social media and to manage inventory,