Brrrr! I don’t know about you, but in my house the hottie has emerged from its Summer hibernation and is back on duty. I think a snuggly new cover might be in order…
Now I just have to choose! Make sure you don’t miss out of these exceptionally cosy and cute ways to keep warm this winter.
Chocolate is nice…. chocolate is very nice. I’m sure all of us, except the certifiably insane, would agree.
Easter and chocolate are pretty entwined in the modern psyche. However, I must admit to feeling a little over Easter before it has even hit this year, and I know what’s doing it. It’s all those foil-wrapped goodies, lining up in their thousands in the big box retailers all over the country, garishly shouting “Buy me! I’m the biggest/sweetest/shiniest ever!”
If, like me, you’re starting to think you’d like an Easter that’s more about celebration than scoffing (not that I’m saying a bit of chocolate doesn’t have its place, mind you) and more about handmade beauty than mass-produced glitz, you might want to take a look at what we’ve found in the Felt Easter egg hunt…
Beautiful, original, handmade and local. We really couldn’t have hoped for nicer treasures. These exquisite decorative eggs from Peppery, and sweet little Easter magnets for hiding wee notes from Tinch are just some of the ways Felt can bring your Easter new life.
… and of course we found some bunnies too. You know we can’t resist them.
Try your own Easter hunt on Felt – we know you’ll love what you discover.
Are you a knitter or a crocheter, or would you like to be? Whether you can knock out a scarf in an evening or (like me) you’re ridiculously proud of your painstakingly-crocheted-over-days wee phone case, there’s no time like the present to get knitty with the yarn…
There’s been a huge upsurge in popularity of yarn crafts in recent years. Knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers and naalbinders (I’m probably murdering the Danish language there) are everywhere you turn, making socks and cellphone cases, blankets and high fashion, baby clothes and yarn-bombs.
There are many talented makers of yarn-based creations on Felt and we’re wowed by their work, but did you know that there is also a great range of handmade craft supplies – including hand-dyed fibre and yarn – for those of you crafty folk who like to DIY their ply?
So many beautiful colours! How on earth do you choose? While you’re trying to decide, don’t forget to check out our range of knitting and crochet patterns too!
Crochet Workshop
By Erika Knight · Reviewed by Jess Soutar Barron
There’s something delicious about an object that abides by the rule of form following function BUT ALSO is beautiful and useful. Books that are thoughtfully designed to work in a practical sense, and inspire in a more abstruse one, are precious because they are the reason why the internet cannot take over completely, libraries will not fade away, bookshelves will always be needed. They are more than vehicles through which to disseminate information. They are a beautiful thing in themselves, an object as precious as its contents. More than the medium being the message, the medium is a treasure in itself.
Erika Knight’s Crochet Workshop delivers its message well – stepping readers through 20 projects from the first slip-knot to the final loop-through. BUT ALSO it is lovely to touch, carefully considered in its design – down to the cover that slides into the book as a page saver – satisfying to explore. With a nod to the design aesthetic of Sibella Court, Crochet Workshop is themed in subdued tones with careful staging and pared back props. It hints at a simple life without preaching. The book is so subtle in its styling that it is the antithesis of the craft porn we crafters find in such books as Loani Prior’s Wild Tea Cosies, sophisticated hoopla in a cacophony of colour.
For some the styling may be a tad too restrained and not at all showy enough, certainly not something to aspire towards, for its patterns and projects are far too achievable, although for the beginner it is perfect: easy to follow, step by step, satisfying in its ability to guide users from conception through construction to actual completion (unheard of in some tomes). But for those who admire Nicky Gabriel over Daina Taimina this is a must have, especially if you’ve always wanted to learn the fine art of hooking. More Debbie Bliss than Debbie Stoller, Crochet Workshop is delicious inside and out – even if you have no intention of actually making any of the projects, it will still look stellar on your occasional table (hand-crocheted doily (p.116) or no).
Jess Soutar Barron is one half of the dynamic duo behind Hawke’s Bay’s fledgling craft empire Coco and Co and the fabulous Fruit Bowl Craft Jam.
Hailing from the lovely Hawke’s Bay, Ellen Hamlin grew up crafting and will try her hand at most things, but harbours a particular passion for crochet. Her love of vintage, handmade and retro styles (“all smooshed together”) inspired her to pick up a crochet hook upon discovering that she was not alone in her tastes and “granny chic” was officially on the rise. And so emerged Alexandra Mackenzie.
What do you make?
Granny squares!! I love love love granny squares and I use them to create all kinds of crocheted goodness, from hot water bottle and cushion covers to takeout coffee and tea pot cosies. My one rule for the things I create – it must be colourful…
How did you get into your craft?
It all started about two years ago when I spied a very ugly jersey in the 50c bin at my favourite oppy. As a jersey it was ugly, but I bought it because the colours were so vibrant. I unravelled the jersey and made my first granny squares with it; I hunted down another jersey to match and made my first blanket. From there I was hooked (pun intended!).
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
Not a one – after a few false starts trying to learn from a book I tried a YouTube tutorial – success! I am very definitely a product of being self taught, I can’t read a pattern and would be lost in the terminology. Because of this, everything I make is completely my own, all my patterns are original and stashed safely in my head.
How did you choose the name of your business?
Alexandra Mackenzie are my middle names – I have always thought they sounded just a tad bit posh and they have a strong family connection as Mackenzie is my grandmother’s maiden name.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
A 4.5mm hook and a basket of thrifted yarns. I love gathering nasty jerseys and blankets with holes to unravel and create wonderfully colourful items – it is amazing the colours you come across; what might have been the most awful puce coloured jersey looks great in a granny square. (more…)
Vintage style accessories are a great way to give almost any outfit a unique edge. A distinctive piece of jewellery like eejay Design’s hand crocheted fan necklace makes a versatile signature piece to dress up a casual outfit or add the finishing touch to an elegant ensemble.
Go with a theme or pick your favourite styles from different eras and mix it up a bit!
Apricot is the creative outlet of aspiring crochet queen Manda Grubner. Based in Wellington, the fashion design student and crafty mother of two learnt to crochet from her mum and now creates her own distinctive garments and accessories.
What do you make?
I make crochet everything! Arm warmers, hats, scarves, cowls, baby shoes, baby beanies and clothing and whatever else takes my fancy. I often see a shape or silhouette and instantly wonder “if I can crochet that”.
How did you get into your craft?
I Iearnt to sew as a child and from there I dabbled in knitting, cross stitch and other types of traditional craft. I was always interested in crochet and finally set aside the time to learn about four years ago. My marvelous mama taught me how and now says I have surpassed her skill and ability even though I can hardly follow a pattern!
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
Not in crochet specifically but I studied fashion design in Hamilton before I moved to Wellington with my family at the end of last year. I got halfway through the diploma programme and I am considering continuing this here in Wellington at Massey University.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
I love to work with deliciously soft cottons and bamboo yarns. I have about a million crochet hooks that I keep in a beautiful cloth case that my partner made for me. My process really just involves envisaging a shape or style and stitching until I get it. Crochet is great because you can really just work free form without a pattern or guide. Once I have something I love I have to go over it and count stitches and memorise what I did so all the design work isn’t lost. (more…)
In July this year over 50 Christchurch knitters and crocheters collaborated on the Slip installation for the Christchurch Arts Festival.
Throughout the duration of the Festival, French-knitted vines wound their way up lamp posts in Cathedral Square, sprouting hundreds of crocheted leaves and flowers. The flowers were attached to the vines with brooch pins, so that passersby could “pick” them and wear them on a coat or scarf.
More than 1000 flowers and 40 metres of French knitting were created for the project, and if you missed seeing it in the Square, you can see some of these on display at New Brighton Library from 27 October till 9 November.
Reviewed by Sabine Schneider.
Most crafters like their “crafty” books and often have a small library of useful guides. My stash of craft books is fairly small because styles and colours usually change faster than I can buy the often expensive books on knitting jerseys or crocheting blankets. There are, however, a few books that every crafter should consider keeping in their reference library – how-to guides for starters.
Finishing Techniques for Crochet by Pauline Turner is such a guide. It’s a smallish paperback packed with useful information on taking your crochet project to the next level. Seven chapters guide readers from basic know-how to perfect garment.
Chapter one is all about equipment, yarns, tension, measuring for garments, changing patterns and calculating yarn requirements.
Chapter two provides technical instructions for different foundation chains, edges, increasing and decreasing, avoiding unsightly gaps, raglan shaping, darts and the different techniques required for different yarn weights.
The third chapter deals with the actual finishing techniques, such as pressing, lining and different ways of joining pieces.
Cuffs, bands, edgings and pockets show a crocheter’s skill and often lift a garment from nicely homemade to show-stopper. Chapter four shows how to work and where to use them.
Good design usually requires an eye for colour. Chapter five gives instructions on how to use colour in crochet, lists tips on how to avoid mistakes and shows ways of camouflaging stripes of colour that don’t find your approval after the piece is completed.
Chapter six guides crafters through the process of creating shapes and motifs for embellishment. It gives instructions on how to join shapes to make a fabric, how to make buttons, trims, plaits, flowers, cords and tassels and also briefly mentions surface and three-dimensional crochet.
Finally, chapter seven offers five garments so readers can practice all their newly-acquired skills. The clothes are timeless classics: An easy wrap tunic, a figure-hugging vest, a cozy jumper, an Aran-style cardigan and a lacy, feminine dress.
All chapters are illustrated with clear step-by-step photos and tips and key points in coloured boxes. Anyone who enjoys crocheting garments – beginners and more advanced crocheters alike – will gain useful information from this book. It truly deserves a place beside the crochet stitch library.
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Sabine started writing when she was about seven – and only minutes later she started to cook and crochet. Since then she’s been writing, cooking and crafting steadily, producing (more or less) attractive results. Born in Germany, Sabine has trained as a cook, kindergarten teacher and graphic artist and worked in Germany, England and France. For the last decade she has been here in New Zealand, working as a graphic artist, writer, baker and cook. As time allows she produces gorgeous hand painted yarns (sold on Felt), as well as bags, beanies and eclectic wrist cuffs that are sold at Nuddy in Palmerston North.
Do you knit in your sleep? Are you an incurable crocheter? Do you secretly foster a burning desire to cover Christchurch Square in crocheted flowers? This may interest you.
Imagine yourself crossing Cathedral Square in the depths of winter, when the urban landscape is at its bleakest. In the midst of the concrete, smog and skeletal trees, a small sign of life catches your eye. Just a couple of leaves – a small, innocuous vine clinging to the hard metallic surface of a lamppost.
The next day, as you pass by again, you notice the vine has grown and …is that a bud?
Over the next couple of days as you make your way to work, you see more vines have appeared, sprouting leaves and buds and covering harsh grey surfaces in soft, organic formations. And then, a flower. And then a few more. You think, in the middle of winter, how lovely to have a pretty flower to pin to your coat or decorate your scarf…
As part of the Winter Garden for the Christchurch Arts Festival, I’m co-ordinating a knit and crochet installation in the Square. My challenge is to get as many local knitters and crocheters working on the project as possible, whilst keeping a reasonably low profile to the general public, so that the installation retains an element of surprise.
In keeping with the theme of the Winter Garden, the intention is to create crocheted vines, which “produce” flowers. Over the period of a week, the vines will “grow” to gradually cover an area of the Square. The flowers will be attached to the vines using brooch pins, so they can be “picked” and pinned to a coat or scarf, to brighten up someone’s day.
To get involved in making this garden grow, visit the Crochet Christchurch website or email me, Lucy, at admin@felt.co.nz.