Why starting a craft business in December is a good idea!

business coaching Nov 30, 2022

If you're an aspiring craft teacher starting your business might be the last thing on your mind as we enter into the madness of December! BUT, if you can find a spare moment, it's also a great time to start actively thinking about your business plan, especially the research and development stages and here's why!:

1. December can be the busiest time of year for small craft businesses so it's a great time to research what's already going on in your local area.  There are always plenty of markets, workshops and fairs happening, so check out; local Facebook groups, local magazines, posters in cafes etc. and keep your ear to the ground to find out what's going on.  Things to take note of are the kind of workshops being offered, how much is being charged, what age group are they aimed at and also products people are selling and for how much.  Have fun exploring!

2.  It's a great time for making resources. Another super fun part of developing a craft teaching business...

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Knitting and Crochet with Deafblind Scotland by Alison McKie

I have had the immense privilege of facilitating a knitting and crochet group with members of Deafblind Scotland for the past few years.

“How do dual sensory impaired people knit - or crochet?” is a question I am frequently asked. After all, even those of us who do not have sight or hearing problems often struggle! Quite simply as all knitters and crocheters know, both crafts are very tactile, and with such a finely honed sense of touch, the members are often aware of “errors” in their work, which they can feel, but which I can hardly see! More than once I have reassured someone that what they feel as an imperfection, will not be seen, or noticed, by anyone else!

Initially the group was a face-to-face group, held in Deafblind Scotland’s national headquarters in a Glasgow suburb. The majority of members were assisted by a guide communicator, who translated what I was saying into British Sign Language (BSL). For those who have very limited...

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Five reasons to teach your child to knit this summer

kids knit knitting Jun 24, 2021

1: Enjoy time Together. Teaching your child to knit is a wonderful activity that you can both enjoy together. Set aside time to collect up some supplies and then find a nice, shady place to sit and begin knitting.

2: Keep their little brains learning. The school books might get put away in the holidays, but the learning doesn’t need to stop. Your children won’t even realise they are learning maths, spacial recognition, dexterity and creative skills while they are making something out of yarn and pair of sticks!

3: Time for Consolidation. Learning to knit takes effort and time. With weeks and weeks of school holidays ahead of you, there will be plenty of time to learn and consolidate new found skills.

4: Meaningful and wholesome alternative to screens. Do you worry about the amount of time your children spend looking at tablets, computers or the tv? Be pro-active about this problem and help them discover how fun and creative knitting really is.

5: Sow seeds of confidence...

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To block or not to block - by Samira Hill

knitting May 20, 2021

Time to throw some clarity on that famous closing phrase at the end of most patterns: “weave ends and block to size”…

I am always amazed at the equally amazed looks I get from a lot of very experienced, or long time knitters and crocheters I come across at my classes and workshops, when I ask them if they have blocked their piece, or whether these measurements are taken before or after blocking. 

I suspect some of you might be wearing that same look right now, as you are reading this! 

The answer I usually get is: “I don’t know what you mean!” I then respond quoting the end of the pattern, followed by “oh, I just ignore that bit cause I don’t know what that means”, or “I didn’t do it because I don’t know how to do it”.

This might make you think that if they have been knitting and crocheting for so long without blocking, then it can’t be very important.  And you may be right,...

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Kids Knit - New Book

kids knit knitting Oct 07, 2020

 

Kids Knit is the perfect starter book for children wanting to learn how to knit. Packed with 20 fun patterns and top tips for knitting success, this comprehensive children’s knitting course starts with basic knitting skills and gradually increases in complexity as the book progresses.

Children begin with chunky, wooden needles to create simple shapes using Rowan Big Wool. The key at this stage is to get projects completed quickly so children grow in confidence and see themselves as creatively capable. As they move through the patterns, skills are consolidated and new skills introduced.

Post your Kids Knit makes on social media with the hashtag #kidsknitbook

BUY ON AMAZON

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Make summer bunting with the kids

craft activities Aug 12, 2020

Everyone can join in this fun project, which incorporates knitting, threading beads and buttons and sticking stuff down!

The Knitting…
Requires only basic skills – great for beginners or those whose knitting skills are feeling a bit rusty! You’ll need some aran weight yarn and some 6mm needles. Use up odd ends of wool you have around the house, or treat yourself to a couple of new balls in colours you love.

To knit the squares:
Cast on 10 stitches, knit 15 rows and cast off.

To knit the triangles:
Cast on 15 stitches
Rows 1 – 2: knit
Rows 3 & 4: slip one (pass the first stitch onto the other needle without knitting it), knit two together, knit to the end of the row.
Rows 5 & 6: slip one, knit to the end of the row
Repeat rows 3-6 until you have 3 stitches left
Knit 2 rows
Knit 3 together
Cut the wool leaving a 10cm tail and thread it through the last remaining stitch, pulling it up tight.
Thread loose ends into the back of the bunting so they can’t be...

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Five reasons you should knit on holiday

knitting Jul 01, 2020

1:  Get into holiday mode. The holiday feeling starts the moment you begin choosing your patterns and shopping for your holiday yarn.  Enjoy perusing and squishing until you find the perfect colour, texture and weight.

2:  Hanging about in the airport, delays or long journeys? If you have your knitting with you, this won’t feel like time wasted.

3:  It’s the ultimate relaxation activity. The repetitive movements of repeatedly knitting stitches has been likened to meditation.  Furthermore, concentrating on complex knitting patterns and skills allows your mind to focus entirely on your knitting and forces you to leave behind the stresses of work and home life.

4:  Meet new people.  Your knitting will spark lots of conversations and before you know it you will make lots of new holiday friends.

5:  Take home a special keepsake from your holiday.  Long after your sun tan has faded (or your sun burn has healed) and the sand has gone...

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Re-purpose the pre-loved

craft activities Apr 02, 2020

A few weeks ago my daughters and I took a short walk to our local second hand shops to see if we could find some interesting treasures. We set ourselves a budget of £2 each. We picked out jewellery and trinkets that caught our eye and then brought it all home to get creative! Beaded necklaces, an embroidered bag, little ornaments, a small cushion…. these objects once loved and now discarded by other folk were soon to be loved by us again!

Together with other jewellery making things like pliers, wire and earring accessories, we set to work to take apart all our treasured purchases and make them into something new.

After much experimenting with what would go best with what, laying things side by side and chatting about the pros and cons of this that and the other, some decisions were made and the sewing, threading and wire bending began!

The little cushion was decorated with beads and charms, the embroidered bag was given a pretty new handle, umpteen sets of...

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One Ball Beanie

Using just one ball of Rowan Big Wool, this easy garter stitch beanie style hat is a real stunner!

Materials: 100g Rowan Big Wool

Needles:  8mm single point needles

Notions:  Tapestry needle for sewing up

Abbreviations:  k2tog: Decrease by knitting 2 together

Tension:  8mm needles and in Garter Stitch: 10cm = 10 stitches and 24 rows

 

PATTERN

Cast on 48 stitches. Knit 30 rows.

Decrease for the crown of the hat

Row 31: *K4, k2tog, repeat from * to end (40 stitches) Row 32: Knit
Row 33: * K3, k2tog, repeat from * to end (32 stitches) Row 34: Knit
Row 35: * K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end (24 stitches) Row 36: Knit
Row 37: * K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end (16 stitches) Row 38: Knit
Row 39: * k2tog, repeat from * to end (8 stitches)

Cut the yarn leaving a long end to sew up. Then thread the end through all the remaining stitches. Pull up tight and secure with some sewing. Sew the sides of your hat together.

Decorate with a...

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Six well known benefits of knitting

Every knitter knows the joy that knitting brings.  Just squidging some lovely hand dyed alpaca yarn and giving it a sniff relaxes us and makes us feel good!  But just in case you need a reminder – here are just six of the many great benefits knitting brings us.

  • It helps relieve feelings of stress, worry and depression
  • It helps prevent arthritis and tendinitis
  • It’s a great way to escape the chaos of everyday life
  • It improves maths skills and spacial recognition
  • It might delay the onset of dementia
  • It provides opportunities to meet with like-minded people

And that’s just the beginning!  

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