ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Soranyi Benavides holds the yarn with her hands, weaving together the fabric using small hooks.
What at first appears to be long pieces of cotton and wool strings eventually will turn into an elegant ball gown that is made entirely of crochet.
Benavides' designs are crafted in bright colors and patterns with whimsical additions such as lace, pearls, flowers and buttons.
In her makeshift studio, she dreams up dresses, cropped tops, swimsuits, socks and baby clothes, and dedicates hours to combining her favorite yarns.
One of her finest creations to date: a bright blue vestido, or dress.
With additions of fine-woven white flowers, she hopes the dress, which retails for $350, becomes a prototype for women in search of something to wear to the prom or another fancy soiree.
Benavides, who takes custom-made orders through her business website Creaciones Soranyi, also can make something equally as fashionable and tailored to the client's liking.
Depending on the piece's size and length, it can take up to a month to design, which is the case with the aforementioned blue dress.
The art of crochet now is a fashion staple thanks to the high-end designers who brought the craft back in recent runway shows in New York, Paris and Milan.
But as Benavides notes, when shoppers click and buy something online, chances are they're getting it delivered from a factory, whereas her "creaciones" are one-of-a-kind and made with patience and tons of amor.
Amor al tejido
Benavides grew up in the Dominican Republic and fell in love with crocheting as a young girl.
"I remember when I was on my way to school, I always passed by the house of a woman who was always crocheting and had all the chairs covered with covers she made, and tablecloths on her tables," Benavides said in her native Spanish.
"At nine years old, I asked my mother for wool and hooks to start knitting and since then I have been knitting more and perfecting that technique."
In 2009, she decided to start her own design business, Creaciones Soranyi, which helps to support her family.
Her five children are ages 15, 13, 10, 8 and the newest addition, a 20-month-old boy.
The toddler inspired some of her latest works: delicate, adorable baby-wear that comes with a matching hat, booties and a bottom ($70).
Author, abuse survivor
Benavides, who also lived in Puerto Rico, moved to Allentown in 2018.
She documents how she overcame adversity, abuse and her journey to the States in a self-published book, "Historia De Mi Vida: De Tímida E Insegura a Mujer Que Inspira," ("The Story of My Life: From Shy and Insecure Woman to a Woman who Inspires").
"I want to be able to continue making more dresses, to grow my business so much that I can employ other women and build a team. I am currently formulating a course to teach women who wish to learn to knit."
Soranyi Benavides, clothing designer
On her social media, Benavides also speaks on self-worth and confidence.
Her dream is to expand Creaciones by Soranyi and teach women her craft.
"I want to be able to continue making more dresses, to grow my business so much that I can employ other women and build a team," she said.
"I am currently formulating a course to teach women who wish to learn to knit."
