Help yarn-bomb City of Perth’s Urban Forest

Join in these free community workshops to create knitted or crocheted adornments for trees in Forrest Place, to bring the Urban Forest to life. 

Workshops:

10am – 1pm Saturdays 30 July & 13 August 

at Paper Mountain Common Room, upstairs, 267 William Street, Northbridge.

To RSVP or get involved please contact Lex at lex.dade.randolph@gmail.com 

Basic knitting or crochet skills would be appreciated, all ages are welcome.

Please bring your hooks and needles if you have them, yarn provided.

Two hours of creating time, then an optional walk to visit the Forrest Place yarn-bombing site. 

WAFTA workshops

The WA Fibre & Textile Association (WAFTA) has a few workshops coming up ranging from learning the basics of crochet and knitting to the more unusual working with gut and mud dyeing.

Images (L-R): qiuyuehanjiang01.blog.163.com; knitfrillsfood.com; craftsbee.com

WORKSHOP: Introduction to Knitting & Crochet – 1 day

Where: Alexander Park Craft House, Clyde Road, Menora
Date/Time: 16/03/2014 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Price: Members $75, Non-members $125
With Anne Williams and Susan Walsh

Spend a day in the company of two fantastic tutors learning the basics of knitting and crochet either from scratch or as a refresher.

Many of us have dabbled in knitting and crochet, but how many of us really understand how to read a pattern without getting lost, how to shape and create all those amazing stitches, how to fix problems, and how we might use these skills in our creative or artistic projects... or just to yarn bomb that tree in your front yard!

Use this as a standalone course to up-skill, or to prepare for WAFTA’s Prudence Mapstone’s freeform knitting workshop coming in the autumn. Choose between spending the day knitting or crocheting, or do both with half a day on each.

12 places available. To book a place visit www.wafta.com.au/events/workshop-introduction-knitting-crochet/

Images: Judy Dominic

WORKSHOP: Gutsy Stuff with Judy Dominic

Where: Alexander Park Craft House Clyde Road, Menora

Date/Time: 23/04/2014, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Price: Members $150 (Early Bird $125 until March 10th); Non-members $175

When not being used to hold sausage together, gut is a very elastic material that sticks to just about anything and dries firm and semi-transparent when stretched. It can hold structures together, be used like a string, create walls or form a flexible shape. A great material to use, play outside the box – or rather, outside the tube – in this off-the-wall workshop.

This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience from beginners to practising artists in a small dedicated class.

To book a place visit www.wafta.com.au/events/workshop-gutsy-stuff-judy-dominic/

Images: Judy Dominic

WORKSHOP: Mud Cloth with Judy Dominic – 2 days

Where: Alexander Park Craft House Clyde Road, Menora
Date/Time: 26/04/2014 - 27/04/2014 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Price: Members $300 (Early Bird $250 until March 10th); Non-members $350

The seemingly simple white design on black background cloth represents the serious artistic manner of telling the stories of village life in Mali, Africa. Learn about the traditional method of bogolan fini - dying cotton cloth with mud – as well as how that process is modified two different ways in the Dominic version.

During the workshop you will create your own story designs using local muds on cotton and other natural fibre cloth. Connect with the earth and gain an appreciation of the Mali culture.

This workshop is suitable for all levels from beginners to experienced dyers wanting to try something different in a small dedicated class.

To book a place visit www.wafta.com.au/events/workshop-mud-cloth-judy-dominic/

Yarn bombing & Crochet cactus garden

Learn about yarn bombing and how to crochet a cactus in these March workshops with Captain Plaknit! 

Phone 0408 999 943 or email contact@azureentertainment.com.au to book.

Studio Bomba Summer School

Studio Bomba are running some knitting and crochet workshops as part of their Summer School – includes coffee and cake! Classes will have a maximum of 6 people.

I Heart Knitting for Beginners Workshop
Saturday 22 February and Saturday 1 March 2014
9am to 12 noon on both days (6 hours)

In two sessions held a week apart, learn knitting basics including how to knit, how to purl, garter stitch, stocking stitch, casting on, casting off and a clever little buttonhole. Then knit yourself this heart cushion. All materials (yarn, knitting needles, big eye needle, cushion insert, wooden buttons, instructions and cushion pattern) are included.

$140 per person. Click here to book online or book in the shop.

iPad Cosy Crochet for Beginners Workshop
Saturday 22 February 2014
1pm to 4pm (3 hours)

Let your inner geek and your inner nanna collide through the medium of crochet. Learn crochet basics including chain stitch, slip stitch, double and treble crochet. Then crochet yourself this tablet cover. All materials (yarn, crochet hook, big eye needle, wooden buttons, instructions and cosy pattern) are included.

$95 per person. Click here to book online or book in the shop.

Find Studio Bomba at 324 Oxford St, Leederville.

REGINALD – The CAE Portrait Prize for Softies

It's the craft world's version of the Archibalds - the Reginalds!

You are invited to make a Softie Portrait of someone you admire/appreciate and send a photo of it together with a photo of the person that the portrait represents.

A Softie Portrait (soft toy) is a handmade soft sculpture/toy made from fabric or yarn, incorporating hand and/or machine stitching, knitting or crochet, which emulates a specific person or pet. Your Softie Portrait MUST be your own original work.

Judges Pip Lincoln (left) and CatRabbit (right) with their Reginalds

The judges are Cat Rabbit, nationally and internationally revered soft sculpture/textile artist, and Pip Lincolne, Melbourne crafter, author and Meet me at Mikes blogger. They will select 10 finalists who will then send in their actual softie portraits for a fabulous exhibition, to be held in the CAE (Centre for Adult Education) info shop in central Melbourne.

The Reginald winner, selected by Cat Rabbit and Pip Lincolne, will receive:

• A Brother NS55 Sewing Machine, valued at $699
• A commissioned soft sculpture by Cat Rabbit
• Inclusion on Pip Lincolne’s ‘Meet me at Mikes’ blog
• Inclusion on frankie magazine’s blog
• Subscription to frankie magazine

In addition, there will be a People’s Prize awarded, as voted by the general public. Chosen from the ten finalists, People’s Prize voting will be online and in person.

Photographic entries must be received by 7 March 2014. DON’T SEND ACTUAL SOFTIE PORTRAITS!

To enter the Reginald competition follow the instructions and fill out the entry form which you will find here.

Look up @reginald_cae, #Reginald and #makingareggie on Instagram to see other people’s entries.

Stallholder Profile: Spotlight on Anna Hadwin Crochet Toys

Anna Hadwin of Anna Hadwin Crochet Toys has been a stallholder at Made on the Left markets for many years, always making us squeal at the cuteness of her creations! Let's see what goes on behind the scenes...

Tell us a bit about yourself
I have been crocheting and knitting since I was 5 years old. We moved from the UK to California and it was a great way to keep me occupied. My baby sister was only 6 weeks old. Moving back to the UK I made my first jumper at 8 years old, and I haven’t stopped crafting since.




What inspires you to create?
The joy of making. My husband (Toby) and daughter (Orlando) are both very artistic and their drawings and doodles supply me with many ideas. 
I love yarn, and have a “Wool Mountain” at my house (pictured left).

What materials do you use?
Wool in acrylic, cotton and specialty yarns.

What steps do you take to prepare for a market?

Each market has a different customer base, so I try and tailor products for that market. Then I crochet like crazy!

What’s your number one market tip?

Stay positive and listen to advice from those around you - customers and stallholders. There is a wealth of knowledge out there.

What is your favourite part of the creative process?
Taking time out to plan new designs and seeing them take shape.

What’s been your most popular item or line to date?
Owl, Penguins and my Pirate Bunny. But who wouldn’t love a Pirate Bunny??



What is the most exciting thing that has come out of selling your designs through markets?
Knowing that my products make people happy. I have many repeat customers and am now wholesaling.

What advice would you give someone who wants to sell their crafts?
You might need to compromise with your product. I started out selling baby/children’s knitwear. But in our climate it was just too hard. So I thought toys and hats and home wares was a better choice.



What goals do you have in store for the future?
To keep on crafting and evolving my products. It’s really important to me to make everything myself and I think customers appreciate that.

Thanks, Anna!
xxx MOTL

Crochet for Beginners class

Calico and Ivy in Mosman Park are offering Saturday morning crochet classes. Learn how to crochet granny squares and make them into a blanket! 
They also have classes to learn how to crochet hexagons or flowers; how to knit socks or shawls; patchwork and group sessions. For more details, see the Calico & Ivy website.

	NORTHBRIDGE O-DAY - THIS SUNDAY! Northbridge is OPEN this Sunday for O-Day with over 100 things to do, see and collect around the 'hood. From backstage tours to treasure hunts, to workshops and performances, O-Day lifts the lid on all things Northbridge. Get adventurous, get creative and get very busy - how much of the O-Day program can you complete? Explore the massive FREE program at the Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge Piazza and everywhere in-between. Stumble upon curious delights as you browse designer markets, grab a tasty treat from one of the delicious food stalls, hunt down your free magnet set and pick up some new tips and tricks from one of the many workshops. Dance in the dark, learn some circus secrets, yarn bomb a Vespa scooter at the Montage Pop-up shop or beam yourself into a movie on the big screen... who knows where you will find yourself. Fill in your O-Day guide throughout your adventure, collect stamps as you complete activities and once you have enough points visit the info booth to get your free souvenir book bag. When the sun goes down the fun is not over, party on at one of the many O-Day after parties! Download your O-Day Guide here or pick it up on the day from participating venues. Northbridge O-Day is bought to you by City of Perth, Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and OnWilliam.

Cabin Fever: Craft Night #1

What fun! There was such a great atmosphere at Pidgeonhole's Cabin Fever at our first craft night - sipping hot drinks from vintage china, great discussion, concentration on learning new skills, new people, and yarn tags! The delightful Ruth was the ideal host - thank you Ruth!! And thank you to the wonderful crafters who came along and had fun with captain plaknit! How is your crochet coming along? We would love to see some pics of your yarn-tags :)

Here are a few pics. Maybe they will inspire you to come along to our next craft night?!