Alessandra Hayden was born in Marilia, a small town in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Crochet has been her passion for most of her life. Her grandma Dirce taught her how to stitch with silk thread and a small crochet hook. Her first project was a clothes hanger cozy. Crocheting with that slippery thread and tiny hook was tricky, but Alessandra stuck with it and has been crocheting ever since - now morethan 20 years. She lives in Washington with her husband and son.