Michele Costa was born and raised in NYC. She’s been creative and loved all things yarn since she was a child. Michele always dreamed of using her yarn skills and launching her own knitwear and crochet business.

Despite having a successful career in television production, in 2010, Michele took a leap of faith and opened an Etsy shop. She was stunned when, within 2 days, her items were selling out and people were asking about her designs.  Since then it has been full steam ahead creating hand crochet & knit creations.

Today, Michele is incredibly grateful to have loyal fans & customers from all over the world. Michele was a featured artist in the Etsy Pavilion at the 2013 One Of A Kind Show and invited back to be a full display artist since, having her work featured in the fashion show each year as well. 

Michele works closely and directly with yarn companies worldwide to source the best and highest quality offerings while maintaining focus on fair trade and sustainable fibers. Additionally, she's collaborated on exclusive designs and patterns working directly with companies such as Manos Del Uruguay, We Are Knitters, Wool And The Gang, Universal Yarns, Lion Brand and Betta Knit among others.

Michele’s designs are also a favorite in Hollywood, beloved by celebrities including Kristen Johnston, Leah Remini, Melissa Gorga as well the designer Isaac Mizrahi, who’s line of stunning yarn was the focus of her 2015 collection, fittingly titled “Isaac.” 

One of Michele's biggest inspirations for it all, chasing her dreams, helping others succeed, and making everyday count is her grandfather. She proudly named her creative company after him. Find out more about the meaning behind 144 Stitches on Michele's Blog here

Michele believes strongly in paying it forward and community over competition. She wanted to give back to the artisan and maker community by sharing the tips and lessons learned along the way of building her small business, so in 2016 she launched the Stitch & Hustle Blog. It has already grown to an impassioned and empowered community of support and creativity.

Michele considers herself just a goofball who discovered joy and happiness in a ball of yarn and wants to get the world into handmade cozy one stitch at a time.