Welcome to Off the Hook Sweaters and Simply Fascinating
by Cathy Lobdell.

I am a self taught designer with a passion for fashion and art. From the age of five, sitting at the knee of my mother's dressmaker while making doll clothes from scraps, I have known I wanted to design. My love of working with my hands combined with my color and fiber obsessions have culminated in Off the Hook Sweaters, my line of original one-of-a-kind hand crocheted sweaters, coats and jackets and Simply Fascinating feather hair accessories.

Every Off the Hook sweater is a fashion forward work of wearable art featuring the finest in quality yarns and impeccable attention to detail. I strive to create timeless, sophisticated and unusual figure flattering designs with emphasis on form, shape and texture. I derive inspiration from current fashion trends, nature, art and yarn fibers. My sensibilities lean toward the avant-garde and my creations are not for the faint of heart, but for women who embrace their individuality and are comfortable expressing it.

Each sweater requires numerous hours of handwork with yarn and crochet hook as the only tool. I begin by sketching my ideas, designing the pattern and combining a variety of yarns to create interesting fibers. I prefer working with larger crochet hooks and chunky weight natural fiber yarns in soft muted colors and novelty textures. I hold myself to couture quality standards and each garment is equally beautiful on the inside and out while made to be worn over and over.

I recently entered the fashion accessories market with my line of feather fascinators called Simply Fascinating. I have always been attracted to feathers (maybe it's my Native American heritage) and have used them in everything from home décor to millinery. I combine natural and dyed feathers, new and vintage jewels, buttons and trims to create these fanciful accents which may be worn in the hair or as brooches.

I am so rewarded by my love of creating art and the people I am blessed to come into contact with through my work. I know my designs are successful when they reflect the beauty of the women wearing them.

Contact Information:
Name: Cathy Lobdell
Name of business: Off the Hook; Simply Fascinating
Address: 148 Cambridge St.
Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone number: 315-422-0947
Email: cat9design@yahoo.com
Personal website address: simplyfascinating@etsy.com and offthehooksweaters@etsy.com