My first memory of a crochet hook begins in Lithuania, at my grandmother’s kitchen table.

In 1990s Lithuania, newly independent and rebuilding, access to Western fashion was limited. Creation emerged from scarcity. To make something by hand was not a trend, it was resilience.. Grandma made everything by hand, hats, long skirts, sweaters for severe winters. Pieces sold quietly to neighbors or worn within our family.

Nothing was wasted. Nothing was ordinary.

I grew up wearing garments no one else could own. Handmade meant singular. Time, skill, and discipline were visible in every stitch.

The women in my family shaped my eye and my philosophy. They taught me that limitation is a material….something to be worked with, not against. Their resourcefulness lives in every piece I form today.

The name YARNMA began as a nickname — given late one night while I was immersed in a crochet project instead of going out.

A fusion of yarn + grandma, it honors origin while rejecting nostalgia.

YARNMA reclaims crochet as structure.

The process

YARNMA exists at the intersection of art and fashion.

Every piece is conceived as wearable art, hand-crocheted by me in Brooklyn over the course of one to two weeks, sometimes longer depending on the complexity of the design. Time is not a constraint; it is part of the process.

Hardware detailing has become a signature of the house, offering versatility in styling while introducing tension between softness and structure. The contrast of delicate yarn against industrial metal defines the YARNMA aesthetic — tactile, intentional, and quietly bold.

Each creation is a one-of-one collector’s piece, alongside essential silhouettes that transcend traditional fashion calendars and seasonality. YARNMA is not trend-driven; it is time-honored.

FAQ

  • YARNMA pieces are made out of variety of mixed materials ranging from 100% merino wool and cotton to poly yarn (it’s what gives our silver pieces the stretch). The individual breakdown of materials will be listed under each YARNMA piece.

  • We charge a flat delivery fee on each item of $8.50 for shipping within the US, for international shipping you will be responsible for any additional costs incurred.

  • There is flexibility for customization and yarn choice within some of the pieces, your ideas are welcome! We do take on commissioned work that’s inline with our creative vision. For special projects please reach-out to, berta@bertastudio.com

  • Merino Wool Yarn needs to be dry cleaned or hand washed in cool water. Lay flat to dry if merino wool yarn is used or is a part of the piece.

    If poly yarn material (the shiny yarn or matte) is used, the knitting yarn can be washable by hand or machine washable on cold, gentle cycle, and tumble dry settings. Do not bleach. I would personally recommend to spot clean or wash by hand as it’s more gentle.

  • Yarnma pieces that are available for pulls can be found under “Available items” section. If you have a specific client appearance project coming up, we are open to creating custom looks with enough lead time provided. We have have been a part of PFW, music videos, concerts, and shoots.