Meet the Owner

Cristian Bell, Owner of Kryptik Krochet discovered her passion for crafts at a young age.  She had a knack for enjoying time spent on her own by learning counted cross-stitch and latch hooking at the tender age of 12!  As much as she enjoyed handicrafts, as she got older, her crafts took a back seat to other projects and adventures.  Even then, however, she always found time to create wonderful gifts for friends and family.

Cristian’s professional life evolved as she attended and graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban and Regional Planning.  She spent roughly four years as Neighborhood Planner with the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana.  During the Christmas season of 2006, Cristian received a lovely crocheted scarf as a gift from her friend’s mother (LaDonna Taylor).  That gift not only resurrected her passion for crafts, but it gave her a new goal; learn how to crochet!  The following winter season Cristian embarked on her journey to learn that skill.  After a few weeks of trial and error, she completed her first crocheted hat!

Although she enjoyed working with the community in her job as a Neighborhood Planner, her passion really was in crafts.  As the years passed, she explored crocheting in great detail.  Venturing away from typical yarns, patterns, and styles used when crocheting, Cristian began creating sweaters, jackets, bags, purses, and much more using crochet threads and other fabrics.  In 2009, she even advanced to writing her own patterns.

She had earlier attempts at starting her own crochet business that include Kryptik Krochet & More and a partnership with a college classmate – Spicy Madison – Handmade Crochet Apparel and Accessories. However, due to several factors neither business became successful. In 2018, not wanting to feel defeated, Cristian decided to re-launch Kryptik Krochet as a new brand with a new vision: 

Kryptik Krochet is a premier crochet retailer that specializes in custom, handmade crochet apparel, accessories, and gifts for all!

Cristian works for Police and Firemen’s Insurance Association currently and is delighted to have the time available to focus on her craft and building a strong brand and company.