The temperature is still hovering around 80F in Bermuda, but fall has officially begun everywhere else. Last year, I got really into crochet and developed original patterns and stitches for several cowls and scarves (remember that bit about inspiration coming in waves?), and now they’re finally available in my etsy shop!
Beautiful photography by Laurels & Stars :)Each piece is made from super chunky wool-acrylic blend yarn completely by hand. I wasn’t so sure about sourcing the yarn on the island, but as it turns out, one of the department stores here has a better selection than the craft shop back home! I can’t wait to start making scarves and cowls to order—get in touch to order!
Have you experienced the phenomenon? You’re walking around your town and all of a sudden you see an everyday object covered in something bright… and fuzzy? No, it’s not graffiti, it’s yarn bombing.
Photo courtesy of twilighttaggers.blogspot.com
South African artist Lynn of Biscuit Scout has taken this idea to the next level, creating practical items for the home with whimsical knit covers. From light fixtures to armchairs, her modern chunky knitting style could make the perfect addition to your living room. Here she gives us a glimpse at how she got started, her challenges and advice.
Tell us about your work—why do you create what you do?
My washing machine was really old and had rust marks down its front. It looked very shabby and I was trying to figure out how to disguise it. I couldn’t paint it. I didn’t have a sewing machine to sew an outfit for it so I thought I’d knit one! I knew how to knit but hadn’t done since I was a teenager. I lied when I went to buy the wool – I said I needed enough to knit a blanket. And that started me up this path of knitting large things.
Do you intend for your pieces to be functional or simply function as sculpture?
A bit of both – a knitted article is not suitable for high traffic.
How difficult is it to mold your knitting to a 3-D form?
My Mom taught me to knit when I was about 6 years old. The beauty of knitting with wool is that it stretches so can be moulded to fit once you have the basic dimensions and shapes.
How are your materials sourced?
I’ve found a range of local wools which have a lot of natural colours which I like to work with. I’ve only worked with these and have recently added a range of beautiful and brighter colour cottons (Vinni’s) which are hand dyed by previously unemployed women.
How has your work evolved?
I’m still finding new things to knit. I’m busy sewing my first knitted handbag together at the moment. I hope to finish it today.
What is your greatest challenge?
The shipping costs from South Africa. Yikes!
What inspires you?
This may sound corny, but there is inspiration everywhere – it just depends on how you look at things. Tell us about your etsy business.
My friend Shelley told me about Etsy about 4 years ago. I joined in April last year. I would love this to be my full time job, but as it takes so much time to knit each object, the finished project is quite expensive and this limits my sales. And then there’s the shipping costs!
Aside from your etsy shop, where can readers find your work? www.biscuitscout.com (for South African readers – prices in Rands)
What advice do you have for new etsians?
Enjoy the community. There are so many amazing, talented and friendly people on Etsy.
Are you all sick and tired of hearing about me? Good, me too.
You may remember my post about A Alicia‘s awesome felt flowers a while back, and as it continues to be one of the most popular posts I’ve written, I thought I’d catch up with Anna and see what she’s up to these days.
Turns out, she’s just released a new collection with the idea of taking a simple material—wool made from organic fair trade cotton—and making something wonderful! Citing inspirations ranging from Victorian lace collars, Japanese fabric craft and 1970s macrame, these lovely wool pieces are just the thing for your fall wardrobe!
I can’t imagine it ever gets very chilly in San Diego, and yet some very cute knitwear and yarn comes out of the city (check out little grey cat designs and oanad56).
Snowdrift Scarf
Fringe is another such example. I love the originality of Dennice’s designs as well as her color selection, especially this bright olive in the cowl below.
If you’re into knitting or crocheting (or just want to look like you are), you simply must check out Snowberry and Lime on etsy. Veronika spins all her yarn by hand from very very high quality materials including some made of soy silk, which looks absolutely decadent (and is vegan!). Personally, I love yarns that retain the color of the animal that originally wore them such as these, but her brightly colored hand-painted skeins are beautiful too.
Beautiful photography by Laurels & Stars :)
Each piece is made from super chunky wool-acrylic blend yarn completely by hand. I wasn’t so sure about sourcing the yarn on the island, but as it turns out, one of the department stores here has a better selection than the craft shop back home! I can’t wait to start making scarves and cowls to order—get in touch to order!
Turns out, she’s just released a new collection with the idea of taking a simple material—wool made from organic fair trade cotton—and making something wonderful! Citing inspirations ranging from Victorian lace collars, Japanese fabric craft and 1970s macrame, these lovely wool pieces are just the thing for your fall wardrobe!
622 press | LETTERPRESS GOODS MADE BY HAND 