Knitting Nancy

Knitting Nancy Dives In or the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2010

2012-01-05T18:55:00.000-08:00

30 Crafters/Artists work for Knitting Nancy Dives In

2011-02-22T01:23:00.000-08:00

Work In Progress

2011-01-22T16:08:00.001-08:00

Bonnie Yates: 28 separate pieces that I now need to thread all the dangly lengths into, and then assemble and stuff

Qudsia Yemisi Ahmed: a few little starfish and shells to maybe attach on hairpins/headbands etc.. need to block, starch and decorate with beads perhaps if I have time!

Nett Faggotter: Skelly Fish version one, green edition

Lisa Jarrett: Steve the scuba diver

Gemma Sneddon: my angler fish (because I am SO EXCITED! I'm SO CLOSE!) including the wire headgear to keep the pointy teeth and glowy lure in order :)

Gaye Lancaster: Molluscs

Bec Wu: part of my starfish family

Inspiring photos

2011-01-21T20:18:00.000-08:00

So many amazing and beautiful photos of colourful underwater environments can be found on the web...this is one of them

Gaye Lancaster took this photo at Hallet Cove...treasures from the sea

Meet the 'Knitting Nancy Dives In' Crew

2011-01-18T01:00:00.000-08:00

QUDSIA YEMISI AHMED

I'm a total beginner who has just discovered that picking up needles is an addiction, with serious withdrawal pangs if there's not some project on the go, midnight cravings for the feel of yarn slipping through your fingers, makes you feel gooooood while taking your mind off your other worries, and leaves you with a warm fuzzy glow when you've finished!

BEC STAKER BJORNHAGE

I started knitting when I was a little girl. My Mother knits, my Grandmother knitted and I always felt that I should at least know how to! Now it is picking up interest again and I love that something, which was considered so practical is now an artform! My Grandfather actually taught my Mother and her siblings to knit using old mine nails - very thick about a size 10, but only 20cm long - as my Grandmother was too busy knitting to teach them! I love this story!

LAURA BRAITHWAITE

I find knitting is the best way to wind down, relax (other than the odd dropped stitch!) and yet be 100% productive. With all the technology that we're surrounded by these days, knitting feels organic and wholesome.

AMY BROAD

What inspires me to knit? My friends! Seeing what other people are doing and giving it a go. Learning new patterns as I'm a big fan of colour and texture. I also like keeping my hands busy while watching tv or sitting around talking to friends. =)

DONNA BURGMANN
http://www.redwrenny.blogspot.com/

MELINA BUTLER
I'm inspired to knit by my solid 90s primary school education in which french knitting, usually performed on a toilet roll with popsticks taped onto it, was a matter of vicious contest between all 10 year old girls. You weren't a cool kid unless you could knit a multicoloured, meter-long tube of wool. I've also since fallen in love with my grandmother's old 1970s knitting machine, which is great fun to play with.

KAREN DENARDI
http://www.denardi.etsy.com/

Once I start a project, I find it really hard to put it down. I say to myself "I'll stop at the end of this line", but then I always want to try the next line to see how it looks. I have enjoyed making up patterns for this exhibition - something I thought I wouldn't be able to do as a novice knitter - but I am pleased with my efforts. Look out for my jelly fish and string ray in the exhibition.

CATHY DODSON

Working with textiles and paints has been a passion in my life since I was a child. The energy it gives me is awesome.The icing on the cake is the joy I get from colours blending, contrasting and vibrating. I love working groups of like minded people and sharing ideas that help my own projects to grow and develop. Thanks Knitting Nancy for the great opportunities

ALICE EVERY
(see:http://knittingnancyexhibition.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html)

NETT FAGGOTTER
http://www.nettness.net/

What inspires me to knit/crochet:A graphic designer by trade, I absolutely adore making and creating in artistic and crafty ways. I used to make all manner of toys when I was a child, learned to sew through ~osmosis~ when I slept through my Mum's seamstress classes, and got her to teach me to crochet at a very young age. Although sewing is my first love, as I suffer from chronic pain its not always the most forgiving nor convenient of hobbies. Knitting and crochet let me have that awesome feeling of accomplishment and productivity despite being involuntarily laid up all the time. Plus, yarn is the pretties! ^_~

BELINDA EMANUELLE

JAN FEHLMANN
I am inspired by colour and by nature. Knitting and felting allow me to experiment with texture and fibre and be surprised by the felted outcome as it can never be predicted. I use old or recycled wool and yarn as much as I can. I find knitting meditative and calming with long periods of expectation followed by moments of excitement. I paint and sew as well but find the knitting and felting both more relaxing and exciting.’

LIANNE GOULD

Knitting and Crochet is a wonderful pass time, I always feel more relaxed if I have a project I am working on....
I joined the Knitting Nancys last year and it was such a great experience - I think you inspired me to try working in ways I had not previously thought of. I have loved having the opportunity to be involved again this year. I particularly like to think about an object and then try to create it in yarn - there have been some successes and some really interesting attempts! "

CHERRY GREENSLADE

I love to crochet and couldn't resist the oppertunity to enter Knitting Nancys for the second year. Now that I'm a mum this years inspiration has been to make a sea creature for my son. I think he'll love Alfred the Octopus. Alfred has bells in each leg so he jingle jangles while swimming the ocean.

BROOKE HABA
For eons, I have been developing my meager skills in the textile arts, beginning with artful forays into knitting and moving boldly into crochet, sewing, dyeing and coiling. Of all the forbidden methods of needlemancy, crochet's siren call tempts me most, its ability to be worked in all three perceivable dimensions and hold its own shape an unignorable boon to my work.

MANDY HOEYMAKERS
I am a creative person and I love to make all sorts of crafty things. I love the folksy quality of knitted things and enjoy the feeling of creating things with yarn.

LISA JARRETT
My friend inspired me to start knitting again last year, and now I am inspired by the process of creating beautiful things by hand. It's a great creative outlet, but I also feel very productive when my relaxation time results in a gorgeous finished product.

GAYE LANCASTER
I'm a grandma who wished graf art had come along while I was young enough to join in. About 2 years ago I decided to grow old disgracefully & give it a go. I chose a medium appropriate to a Nonna. Started as the Adelaide Womens Auxillary, sewing up cushion covers that had been sprayed and leaving them in bus-stop shelters, then moved on to knitted pole covers. I'm pretty rubbish at knitting, but that hasn't stopped me :).

APRIL LEWIS
Being creative keeps me sane, creates serenity in my life. Knitting and crochet are extremely portable and provide me with a positive focus. I can create when travelling, when waiting, when watching tv... and there's something to show for it at the end!! No wasted time here, no impatience either!! I am a knitaholic and glad of it.

MINNETTE MICHAEL
http://www.minnette.com.au/

HELEN NIEUWENDIJK
What inspires me to knit or crochet is the incredible desire to succeed at completing an knitted or crocheted item. To date this hasnt happened but its not because the desire isnt there....you know what they say...if at first you dont succeed, try, try try again!! Also i love the idea of just being lost in the whole ritual and the repetitve, and meditative nature of it.

TRENNA OELSNIK
(see:http://knittingnancyexhibition.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html)

SUZANNE REDMAN
(alias Sista Crochetta)
I have enjoyed crocheting since I was about 10 years old, a child in the 70s, and learning the granny square was like an epiphany. I would say the doily has most certainly been an inspiration.

MARLENE RITCHIE
(see:http://knittingnancyexhibition.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html)

GEMMA SNEDDON
www.craftyanddevious.wordpress.com/
I'm inspired to craft by the idea of making something different, and reimagining the potential of traditional techniques. I love to construct the weird, the creepy, the cute and the quirky. My favourite things to crochet are zombies; my favourite things to knit are tree cosies.

KATRINA WEBER
www.kittycamehome.com/

MELISSA WILLIAMS
http://www.flamehair.blogspot.com/
(see:http://knittingnancyexhibition.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html)

REBECCA WU
www.madeit.com.au/MadeByBecca
(see:http://knittingnancyexhibition.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html)

BONNIE YATES

My first successful crochet piece was a single baby booty – the piece de resistance of a beginners’ crochet course at the WEA. Some years later, when expecting my first child, the nesting urge took over and I started to crochet baby blankets, and lots of them. However, there are only so many blankets one child can have, so eventually I moved on to crocheting baby clothes and toys. My daughter is fast approaching 3 years old, and I’m still crocheting her unique clothes and toys. I love that my daughter is now taking an interest in crochet, and that she has the opportunity to watch the creative process.

Contributing to the ‘Knitting Nancy Dives In’ exhibition is an exciting opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, to learn some new stitches and combinations, and to meet some new like-minded crafty people!

CONNIE YEUNG
http://craftinthepark.blogspot.com/
I picked up knitting again because I found it a great way to show your love and care to your loved ones especially our families overseas. When I mailed the knitted gifts to them, I felt that a piece of me went in the parcel to the faraway land.

Knitting Nancy Dives In

2010-10-17T00:46:00.000-07:00

After the success of "Knitting Nancy", Adelaide Fringe 2010, "Nancy" is ready to "Dive In" with some old buddies and lots of new friends to create a crafty underwater world. Needles will click clack and crochet hooks will loop de loop to transform Irving Baby!'s shop window into an aquatic wonderland. What will appear in the woolen depths? ... Fish, shells, monsters of the deep...maybe a submarine?

"Nancy's" friends include: Qudsia Yemisi Ahmed, Bec Staker Bjornhage, Laura Braithwaite, Amy Broad, Donna Burgmann, Melina Butler, Karen De Nardi, Cathy Dodson, Belinda Emanuelle, Alice Every, Nett Faggotter, Jan Fehlmann, Lianne Gould, Cherry Greenslade, Brooke Haba, Mandy Hoeymakers, Kitty Came Home, Lisa Jarrett, Gaye Lancaster, April Lewis, Minnette Michael, Helen Nieuwendijk, Trenna Oelsnik, Suzanne Redman, Marlene Ritchie, Gemma Sneddon, Melissa Williams, Rebecca Wu, Bonnie Yates and Connie Yeung.

If anyone is interested in finding out more about "Knitting Nancy Dives In" please email: irving-baby@hotmail.com

Stay tuned to this blog for behind the scenes peaks into the making of this exhibition and pop the dates into your diary now.

"Knitting Nancy Dives In" ,Adelaide Fringe Festival 18 Feb - 13 March 2011 Irving Baby! 33 Twin Street Adelaide

("shells" by Rebecca Wu, illustration by Trenna Oelsnik)

Adelaide Fringe Award Nomination

2010-03-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

"Knitting Nancy" surprised us all with her nomination for the Adelaide Fringe Award for 'Best Exhibition by a Collective 2010'... maybe it shouldn't have been such a shock as I have witnessed the noses pressed against Irving Baby!'s shop windows and the smiles of all those that visited the exhibition.
Cathy, Tracey, Alice and myself represented the Knitting Nancy team (with support from Briar (IB!) and Cathy's husband) at the Fringe Awards Night.
It was the closest I was going to get to the Oscars so I frocked-up in my favourite 50's dress and enjoyed a bird's eye view of all the Fringe dwellers, along with a glass of complimentary bubbly.
We all let out a cheer when "Knitting Nancy" was read out as a nominee and even though we didn't win I was super thrilled by it all...tho not thrilled enough to stay and kick up my heels to the dj...(Sunday night...time to unwind)

Anyhoo, Briar and I still think all the "Knitting Nancy" crew are No. 1

Congratulations to you all!

The Gift That Inspired An Exhibition

2010-02-22T20:29:00.000-08:00

This cute fella arrived in the post unexpectedly...he had traveled from Perth to Adelaide as a surprise gift from my long-time friend, Rachel.
Rachel has recently revived her interest in crochet and shares her latest wool plans with me over the phone. Like a lot of friendships, life and distance can get in the way but I love to share in her enthusiasm, whatever her current obsession.
Thus began the idea for the "Knitting Nancy" exhibition.
Thanks to the 11 wonderful crafters who joined me in celebrating the wonderful world of wool and to all the visitors who make their way onto this blog and Irving Baby! 83 Hindley Street Adelaide to see the exhibition.
You never know where an act of kindness can lead... and I believe some socks are heading my way soon x

Illustrations for the Knitting Nancy Exhibition

2010-02-19T19:15:00.000-08:00

Some quick snaps of my work for "Knitting Nancy"
Make sure you check out Tracey's photos of all the fantastic crochet and knitted works by the rest of the KN Crew.

"I Heart Wool"

"Lucy"

Whenever Lucy travels
across the wild seas
she takes her knitting with her

"Anonymous"

Guerilla knitter
- or Yarn Bomber as she prefers to be known -
needles always at the ready

"Pearl"

Pearl's kitten is very mischievous, his name is Knit

"Juliet"

Juliet's alpacas have excellent eyesight and hearing
and will alert her to danger
with a staccato alarm call.

"Mary"

Mary had a little lamb
his fleece was not white as snow
as he liked to gambol
in the wet, green grass

"Marguerite"

Marguerite grooms her angora rabbit Pierre,
plucking his maulting fur.
Then she spins his fur into beautiful angora wool.
Sometimes she will cut pieces off for the birds to line their nests.

"Cemile"

Cemile found an orphan angora kid goat and kept him warm
by cutting holes in sock and making a little coat.
Now her goat provides her with plenty of wool to make her own turkish socks.

"Bridget"

"Judy"

Bridget and Judy loved to knit stripes.
Their horizontal designs caught the eye of the editor of
legendary craft magazine "Golden Hands" who featured the pair
on the cover of issue 5 in 1972.
There was some controversy during the photo shoot
when Bridget accused Judy of using a knitting machine.

Ready to Go!

2010-02-17T14:43:00.000-08:00

"Knitting Nancy" is all set up and ready to go for tonights Opening.
Everyones work is fantastic, you can see all the hours of work by the amount of stitches...I wonder how many there would be in total?
For those not able to attend the exhibition during it's 2 week season, there will be some photos appearing on the blog soon.
Hooray...I have my favourite 50's vintage frock all ready to go...complete with missing button and a few holes...just the way I like it...already worn and loved.
See you TONIGHT!

Exhibition photos!

2010-02-17T03:03:00.000-08:00

Finally - it is here!!!

(above) Cathy Dodson

(above) Lianne Gould

(above) Toula Kantalis

(above) Cherry Greenslade

(above) Alice Every

(above) Marlene Ritchie

(above) Bec Wu

(above) Lianne Gould

(above) Melissa Williams

(above) Tracey Burman

(above) Toula Kantalis & Kate McMurray

(above) Lianne Gould

Valentine's Day

2010-02-13T21:02:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone is having a great day with loved ones! These are some hearts I've knitted up to hang around Irving Baby! for the exhibition. Hopefully everyone has finished/almost finished their projects!!

"Marguerite and her Angora Rabbit"

2010-02-08T19:25:00.000-08:00

"Marguerite and her Angora Rabbit"

Marguerite grooms her angora rabbit Pierre, plucking his maulting fur. Then she spins his fur into beautiful angora wool. Sometimes she will cut pieces off for the birds to line their nests.

Cupcakes!

2010-02-05T03:58:00.000-08:00

Hello Knitting Nancys, I thought I'd post an update about my knitting progress. I think I've finished all my cupcakes and fruit, just dealing with my cake slices that aren't co-operating on their cake stand... Hope everyone's crafting is coming along nicely!!
-Bec

Sardines!

2010-01-23T23:40:00.000-08:00

Here's my most recent crochet food addition - a tin of sardines.

It needs some 'Stiffy' [fabric stiffener lol] and its shape should improve.

I still need to use silver embroidery floss to give it some shiny scales, an eye and a little mouth.

It could do with a label too on the side on the tin, too.

I hope this finds each of you edging towards a final-ish product.

I Heart Wool

2010-01-14T00:54:00.000-08:00

Finished this illustration today...

Adelaide Fringe Guide out NOW

2010-01-09T00:43:00.000-08:00

Hooray! The Adelaide Fringe Guide has hit the streets and "Knitting Nancy" is on page 78. We are also on the Adelaide Fringe website: http://tix.adelaidefringe.com.au/ticketing/EventDetails.aspx?EventGuid=509d3f1d-7511-4ab6-bc95-0ca228d5cb4e
Wow...now it feels real.

Piece of cake!

2010-01-05T18:50:00.001-08:00

Every time I try to post I forget where the button is to do a new post and it takes me about 10 minutes of clicking before I see its tiny little face up the top. But I'm here now and with a new picture of the cake that I'm knitting! Excuse my terrible photo-taking skills, which usually involves terrible backgrounds (laptop), less than ideal lighting and just generally cutting off of bits (which are usually heads in photos of people).

I'd really like to crochet a doilie for it to sit on, but I don't know how to crochet. I did buy a hook but I'll really have to get on with it if it's going to happen. I'm looking at doing some other bits and pieces like biscuits, cupcakes and finger sandwiches. Hope everyone else's things are coming along well, by the sounds of it they are!!

Getting down to detail

2010-01-04T20:03:00.000-08:00

With only 5 more days of holidays I thought I should probably get a move on with the piece I'm working on for the exhibition. I'm struggling a little as I tend to loose interest in projects if I've been working on them for too long. The plan is to make one more mattress - a green one and then add detailed stitching on each mattress and a frill for the bed skirt. Oh and of course the pea!

How are all you other Nancy's going? Are you like me struggling on the last few steps or perhaps working on a tight deadline suits you?

A few of us were talking recently about a Knitting Nancy catch up in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for details - sounds like a great idea!

New Year = New Inspiration

2010-01-01T20:39:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!
Now the hoopla of the festive season is drawing to a close my mind is awash with ideas for the Knitting Nancy Exhibition.
In my travels I discovered a haul of 1970's "Golden Hands" craft magazines. Such great ideas and cover designs... I particularly like the curly wig and retro colour combo of brown and green. I am not sure how I will include them in my work for Knitting Nancy but my pencils are sharpened and ready to go...(Trenna)

Do something?

2009-12-03T13:23:00.001-08:00

Aargh! I can't maintain the silence anymore!

Such wonderful ideas on the two last posts - I am just not sure if my own random crazywork will come up to scratch in the company of such wonderful things.

I tell myself all I need is time to do something but there you go - I just am a wee bit short on time - so this will possibly be just like usual - inspired and short fused - I am using my thinking time well as my doing time is limited!

When is the due date you lot?

Get motivated Tracey!

2009-11-21T22:58:00.000-08:00

Hello exhibitioners, with a little prodding the moment has come where I have become intrinsically motivated to crochet again. Perhaps it was Bec posting her sweet cuppie cake. Perhaps it was this cool spell after the heat of the last 2 weeks. or... it may just be quite simply for fear that if I don't crochet now it will suddenly be March and I will not have a thing to show for it!

My plan for the fringe involves crocheting cans of food. Some ideas are

canned baby carrots
canned peas
canned SPAM (eeeeew!)
canned corn
canned pineapple rings
tinned sardines

Why cans of food? I don't quite know, it just came to me. I Googled it and found a couple of inspiring crochet cans of food but not many. I like that it's not a commonly crocheted thing :)

So here are some photos of the first can - Canned Peas. I will embroider the label onto felt or straight onto the can - not too sure which will work/look better :S

More to come soon (I hope!). I hope to be putting some snaps up in the next few weeks on my blog thrift.nest.sew, do pop by to see how my motivation and eagerness is going x

in which I say hello

2009-11-19T01:04:00.000-08:00

Hi all, I haven't met most of you so I thought I'd better make an introduction!

My name is Bec and I'm a 5th year law/behavioural science student at Flinders Uni and I dislike it immensely. I've done a bit of politics this year and found it much more interesting than law, which is saying something...

Most of the time I try to be more interesting by making things! This year under the name MadeByBecca I started selling (and making) polymer clay jewellery and knits (at www.madeit.com.au/MadeByBecca and Irving Baby!). I love cute things, kitsch things, fancy things, vintage things, bright things and mostly things that do not involve textbooks, legislation or note-taking in any form.

Wool-wise I started out make scarves but now also make cushions, fruit and cupcakes.

Hope to meet you all soon!

2009-10-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

"Nancy thought she was the only one who loved to knit but then she met some Brown Owls and together they knitted and crocheted a host of woolen treats."

“Knitting Nancy” is a group exhibition for the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2010 featuring the art/craft work of 12 women from Adelaide: Tracey Burman, Cathy Dodson, Alice Every, Lianne Gould, Cherry Greenslade, Toula Kantalis, Kate McMurray, Deb Milsom, Trenna Oelsnik (illustrations), Marlene Ritchie, Melissa Williams and Rebecca Wu.

The idea for the exhibition originated when a parcel from Perth carrying an Amigurumi toy (Japanese-style knitted stuffed toy) was delivered to Trenna Oelsnik and she was overwhelmed by the thought that this object had been hand-crafted just for her. With no knitting or crochet skills of her own, Trenna was intrigued to find out how and why women are drawn to these crafts and wanted to showcase their wonderful creations alongside her wool inspired illustrations.

First she met Rebecca Wu who “... first discovered the joys of knitting from her mother when she was about 10, when she knitted a cape for her tiny toy penguin. Ten years later, she rediscovered it as a way of whiling away quiet afternoons and long evenings. Now, combining her love of all things yummy and quirky with her favourite blue glittery knitting needles, she knits bright, fruit-influenced or lacy scarves to wear, cushions to sit with and cupcakes, strawberries and other cute things to fancy."

Then she met the Adelaide “Brown Owls” craft group and 10 members joined the exhibition all with their own stories to tell.

“I take pleasure in sewing and crocheting amigurumi-style quirky soft-toys for my family, friends and myself honestly just for the pure fun of it! Crochet to me means snuggling up my grandma’s extraordinarily warm crochet blanket during Winter, the excitement of finding lovely wool, and of course the relaxation that is inextricably linked to working with both wool and handicrafts. Most importantly I love a challenge - with something as simple as wool and a hook virtually anything can be crocheted." Tracey Burman

“Colour, texture and energy - the driving forces behind all my little or big projects. I paint portraits and landscapes using acrylic paint -cos it drys soo quickly and I can play with it - then i can scribble pastels and my coloured pencils all over it. But !!!! I also love fabric so I have screen printed fabric over the years and I have sewn everything from leather to tulle. I love wool - I have spun and hand-dyed it and knitted and crocheted many bits and pieces - Now I am working on trying to bring it all together." Cathy Dodson

“I crochet because I can. Anyone can. I learnt from a small, middle aged woman; when I was stuck on a pattern I asked my friend’s mum; when I realised I was holding the yarn incorrectly I was watching a documentary on Indigenous women crocheting for their community and now I crochet with the Brown Owls. All of these women crochet and anyone can. I love that anything can be crocheted and thinking about what unexpected things can be made - the potential is infinite." Alice Every

“I've always wanted a castle, can't afford to buy one, so I thought I might knit myself one. Meanwhile, this is just a bit of training for the big day!" Lianne Gould

“My Mum taught me to crochet when I was little and ever since I’ve always had at least one project on the go. I love the versatility of crochet and the fact that there are no stitches you can drop. Over the years I’ve built up quite a collection of yarn and I’ve set myself a challenge for this project – ‘use as much of my stash as I can’. Sounds easy enough but honestly I can lose hours in a yarn store just dreaming of all the things I could make with the beautiful colours and textures." Cherry Greenslade

“I have always been very interested in Crafts and from a young age was inspired to 'make' things. Having a very crafty Greek mother has surprisingly not put me off setting my fingers to work. I have worked on felted, knitted, crocheted and sewn items either for aesthetic pleasure or practical gifts. I am always on the lookout for time to be spent on such ventures however, always trying to balance work and play, and so when I do find the time I feel a deep satisfaction in what I have made. Well most of the time anyway" Toula Kantalis

“Whilst I would prefer to work in other mediums and produce other works of art, having children has inspired me to live in the moment and create art that brings joy to my boys, our life and our home.
My creations are often started on a whim, inspired by an op-shopped bounty of some kind, usually made without a pattern, often unfinished for a long time but finally completed. To what audience reaction? "Is that for me!?" or "What is it? I don't want that" You just never know what you are going to get..." Kate McMurray

“I do bits and pieces of various crafts and lovingly care for vintage items inherited from great aunts, aunts, elderly neighbours, Mum as part of the matrilinear tradition. I experience short bursts of knitting and other craft frenzies as an expression against an age of mass-production and cheap imports, where the population has to a large degree, become de-skilled. This is why the Brown Owls are so great - they revive and celebrate our traditions, re-working them for the current era." Deb Milsom

“I’ve never crocheted before, but I like the challenge of learning new skills, and watching something being created before my eyes!” Marlene Ritchie

“I grew up surrounded by women well practised in the home arts so it was a natural progression for me to take them up myself, especially when surrounded by so many great teachers. But the focus was always on objects that had a function, rather than creating things that looked pretty but served no purpose, and I have carried that with me. Even now I pretty much only knit to clothe my kids or make useful things such as dishcloths etc, but my crochet occasionally extends to more fun (although still practical) things such as amigurumi food items for the kids to play with. More often than not my inspiration comes from a need for something, with the resources needed to create the item usually sourced from whatever I already have in my stash.” Melissa Williams