a life of felt

When Kate and I first met we were studying for our teaching qualification which we didn’t complete but that’s another story. From the first we got along famously and giggled irreverently. I rediscovered crochet after many years in the wilderness and was surprised when Kate discovered it at the same time, although her talent at the craft far outstripped mine very early on. Nor is it the only craft at which she’s talented. I’d like to share that talent with you now.

Tell us about yourself
“It is always difficult to define yourself, my blog waffle about me says: I am Hawthorn – I love, I live, I breathe, I craft, I am me. That about sums it up – only once you get to know me, you realise I am a lot more complicated!”

How did you get into tcrafting and crochet?
“I have always had a feel and a desire for the creative arts and had set my hopes on doing fine arts but a parental nod towards earning my keep sent me to secretarial school. It took growing up and an encouraging husband to start crafting again. Now I have rekindled the obsessive delight that comes with all things creative – crochet, sewing, felting, weaving, spinning, painting, photography, dying and generally playing.”

Who / what inspires you?
“I know it sounds like a cliche but the colours of nature, the feel of the breeze, the warmth of the sun, the laughter of my children. I try to work with mainly recycled or reclaimed materials as they seem to bring an unexpected life into my work.”

What’s been your favourite thing you’ve made so far?
“Because I am left handed I initially found it difficult to follow any written patterns so gave up on them, however I soon found I could just look at a picture and make it – I have been told that I can crochet ‘weird things in wool’ – hey a girl’s gotta shine somewhere!”

“To date I have made tree frogs, toads, lizards, Vikings, Cave men, mitts, scarves, snakes, cats, scorpians, guinea pigs, a WW2 fighter pilot’s helmet, wigs for fancy dress and a variety of fruit and vegetables (with and without faces) but my favourite, favourite, favourite pieces are my blankets.

Each one has a story attached to it and they are now affectionately known as the ‘Heritage Blankies’ by family and friends – my only advice is not to do them on a hot day in a hot car – the inspiration soon becomes perspiration…………”

What’s next for you to try?
“There is a world of craft styles out there, only I haven’t enough hours in my day to try them all! So I shall try my hand at as many as I can – when I can.”

Do you have a top tip for other crafters – maybe something you;ve learnt which you’d have loved to have known earlier?
“My top tip is to believe in yourself, don’t let others pigeon-hole you – experiment and just go for it.”

What keeps you going?
“The unexpected obession that comes with crafting!”

Long may you craft Kate. I’m so in awe of people who can look at an item and then make it wihtout recourse to a pattern. You can see and read more of Hawthorn and her craft at her blog.