HRYC

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. 

We've made it almost the whole way through January, and for those of us with kids, we thankfully are now heading back into regular schedules again. Both me and my kids have a hard time with a lack of structure in these long school holidays, so it'll be good to get back to predictability once more.

Something that really spoke to me this week was a reel on Instagram about the concept of 'Effort Driven Reward Cycle'. It was a real lightbulb moment and flicked a switch on why i've been feeling quite frustrated recently - so i'm sharing in the hope it helps you, too!

As makers we're aware that knitting or crocheting or crafting generally helps us feel better. The theory is, actively doing things with our hands connects us directly to the work we are doing and therefore the reward is greater. We feel a distinct sense of achievement after baking something that requires kneading, or getting our hands in the dirt while gardening, than, say sitting at a computer typing (hello!).

Socks Yeah yarn hanging on a pegboard wall

Which prompted me to finally get the drill out and put up another peg board in the garage ahead of open day this weekend - the enormous satisfaction of having put the board up, filled it with yarn and then seeing it every time I go in the garage has been a massive lift to my mood.

This week, I encourage you to step away from your screen for half an hour and do something completely involved with your hands. Bake bread, knit, spin, paint, plant flowers.

A sea glass hat that's not quite finished

While i've been busy juggling kids and work, i've been making things to use up odds and ends of yarn. The latest of which is a Sea Glass hat by Wool and Pine - a hat version of their famous tee and sweater patterns. It's free when you sign up for their newsletter (and included in either of those garment patterns, too).

The next big project on the needles will be a Voyage Cardigan - the bright colours and chance to use up even more leftovers is very appealing!


Voyage Cardigan by Wool and Pine

Chances are i'll use a mix of random bits, plus some nicely woolly Jamieson & Smith 2 ply Jumper Weight to help hold the colour work together in the steek.

Shetland Dreaming

Around this time of year, I start dreaming of moving to Shetland for six months, where it's lovely and cool all the time. Turns out, my Shetland relatives are from the beautiful Northmavine, up in the north-west of Shetland. I'll manage to get there in person one day, but for now will have to make do with browsing online and reading the great publications by 60 North.

A stack of Shetland Wool Adventures Journals, and a Fair Isle Nurse book

We now have the new edition of the Shetland Wool Adventures Journal, volume 5, along with more copies of volumes 3 and 4. I also have one lucky last copy of A Fair Isle Nurse - a memoir about being the only nurse on Fair Isle, Shetland in the 1960s.

For more Shetland dreaming of cooler climes, there's still copies of Grand Shetland Adventure Knits available, and we have sale copies of The Shetland Trader: Book 3 as part of Pom Pom's closing sale.

Have a wonderful week,

Tash