HRYC

I'm so excited that Craft Camp tickets go on sale today! After chatting with a few people who were worried they'd miss out, tickets will go up in two rounds - 2pm and 8pm. 

So if you can't get online during the day, there's another chance in the evening. 

The weekend is shaping up to be an amazing one - we have embroidery, natural dyeing, notebook making, pottery painting, spinning and all sorts of other things to learn and make. 




Remember there's payment plans available, so you can spread the cost out over three to four months, with the balance paid by 11 July: 

Full package over 18 weeks:
$30 per week ($60 per fortnight, $120 per month)
Non-residential package over 18 weeks:
$22 per week ($44 per fortnight, $88 per month)

Book now!

Also on today, is a wee project a friend and I started - it goes by the name of Write Club, and it's all about getting together and writing side by side in silence. 

So if you like to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, join us tonight (or the second Tuesday evening each month) and get some words down with us.

Tonight's session is at Otto Champagneria on Featherston Street in Wellington from 6.30pm - 8pm. Tickets are a small $15 which cover a drink on arrival and help us support a local hospo venue. 


Write Club edition one

I'll most likely use the time to write web content and blog posts - so don't feel like you have to come and pen the next great novel!

In yet more event news, Woollington is coming up again! I'll be there with some VERY exciting new stock, right as we head into perfect knitting weather. 

Woollington
Moera Community Hall
Saturday 26 April
10am - 3pm

I'm so pleased to have this event in the calendar to look forward to!

Well. As the news of the world is increasingly worrisome, I've been thinking again about how we navigate things that are scary and uncomfortable. We learned a lot about coping strategies during covid, but this feels different, somehow.

At the start of this year I made a personal commitment to lean into creativity as much as possible; to cram creating in every corner of life. As someone who lives with anxiety, it's surprised even me at how much better I feel already. There's a great article on RNZ about just this, with author Martha Beck:
 

"Anytime I get anxious, I ask myself, "What could I make?" Not "What shall I do?" but "What can I make?" 

I've been sharing it with everyone, and have Martha Beck's new book 'Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity and Finding Your Life's Purpose' on reserve at the library. So alongside the usual knitting, there's been added sewing and cross-stitch and writing: 

Craft Camp is returning in 2025, and our shop open day is this Saturday, 1 February, in Lower Hutt. 

I had a bad case knitter's block over the summer break, so went pattern browsing for the first time in ages. The Simple Stripes sweater by SuviKnits leapt out at me as a great option for BC Garn Bio Balance. It has lovely folded hems and is very simple (about all I can cope with at the moment). 

And while thinking about BC Garn Bio Balance, this free pattern for cute wee baby pants came across my feed. Designed to fit 0-6 months, they're a great summer knit in the cotton / wool blend. 

Browsing bright home interiors on Pinterest, these fantastic wash cloths popped up. Designed by Purl Soho, these are on my list to make in BC Garn Allino, my all-time favourite yarn for making cloths. Which happen to be a great palette-cleanser project when you have no idea what to knit next.

Welcome to the new year!

The weather has been perfect for knitting despite it apparently being summer...which is one small silver lining of these past few weeks. 

I have lots on my mind at the moment around yarn and community stuff, so firstly, there's two events coming up for you to join us at.


Sonja and I will be at Fabric-a-brac Greytown on Saturday. We joined very last minute last year and had a great time, so are super excited to be back again. 

Fabric-a-brac Greytown
Saturday 18 January
10am - 1pm
89 Main Street, Greytown (the library hall)


We'll have stacks of fabric from our personal stashes, along with books, embroidery supplies, vintage and new patterns, and of course some re-loved yarn. Having been sewing more recently, i'll be looking out for some fabric to make another pair of Strata trousers, and unfinished cross stitch projects to try out an art idea. 

The Greytown sidewalk sale is on the same day, so it'll be worth the trip out there for bargains and good day out. 



We also have an open day coming up - mainly so you have an excuse to get out of the house and away from whatever responsibilities you have for a while. I managed to buy some fantastic former post-office shelves recently which make for the perfect yarn display and a their arrival was a good way to occupy bored kids with a job.

Join me for a knit, a chat, some coffee, and maybe a bit of yarn fondling. Chances are good i'll have dyed more yarn for the occasion, too. 

February Open Day
Saturday 1 February
11am - 3pm
13A Norton Park Ave
Lower Hutt

Late last year an old knitting friend decided to part with a stack of their knitting books, and so there's a new section of Re-loved to share with you. 

A great selection of previously loved books is now up online, along with some modern classics. There's a few very cheap and cheerful books that aren't online and are only available at open days as well.