Woolly Wonders: Cosy Up Your Home With DIY Knits and Crochet
Break out the knitting needles and crochet hook to warm up those dark winter nights at home
I have spent more than a few comforting winter evenings on the couch trolling around knitting and crochet blogs, craving woolly homewares. If you missed out on lessons from Nana or Mum, there are plenty of tutorials online, as well as cool new yarn shops popping up in a neighbourhood near you, and so-called ‘stitch ’n’ bitch’ groups that can quickly get you clattering and nattering.
And, yes, stitching is good for the mind and soul. Research conducted in conjunction with Cardiff University, for example, found more than 80 per cent of the 3500 knitters surveyed felt happier during and after knitting, and the more frequently people knitted, the calmer and happier they said they felt. Pick up her books Knit for Health and Wellness or Crochet Therapy or, if you need further convincing, try The Yarn Whisperer: Reflections of a Life in Knitting by Clara Parkes. “Since turning my life over to yarn, I’ve talked to thousands of knitters who claim it’s cured everything from gout to their weight problems,” says Parkes. So why not try it yourself?
And, yes, stitching is good for the mind and soul. Research conducted in conjunction with Cardiff University, for example, found more than 80 per cent of the 3500 knitters surveyed felt happier during and after knitting, and the more frequently people knitted, the calmer and happier they said they felt. Pick up her books Knit for Health and Wellness or Crochet Therapy or, if you need further convincing, try The Yarn Whisperer: Reflections of a Life in Knitting by Clara Parkes. “Since turning my life over to yarn, I’ve talked to thousands of knitters who claim it’s cured everything from gout to their weight problems,” says Parkes. So why not try it yourself?
Nicely neutral
As seen in the fashion world the last few seasons, hand-knits are not just about questionable colours and unfashionable shapes these days. When designers as diverse as Dries van Noten and Ralph Lauren show hand-knits and crochet in their 2016 collections for autumn, and when Australian artist Jacqueline Fink of Little Dandelion’s hand-knitted, over-scaled textiles and installations feature in every designer’s must have, you know we’re into peak knitting.
As seen in the fashion world the last few seasons, hand-knits are not just about questionable colours and unfashionable shapes these days. When designers as diverse as Dries van Noten and Ralph Lauren show hand-knits and crochet in their 2016 collections for autumn, and when Australian artist Jacqueline Fink of Little Dandelion’s hand-knitted, over-scaled textiles and installations feature in every designer’s must have, you know we’re into peak knitting.
Skip straight to earthy cabled knits (think jumpers for giant Aran fishermen), paired with other natural materials – wood, linen – and you’re on the right track.
If you prefer to start simple (and perhaps even have a go at knitting yourself) a simple ribbed stitch is a good place to start. Little Dandelion is now selling kits to make your own. Bonus, you won’t need to struggle to the gym for those toned arms you were aiming for in time for short-sleeve weather – cranking these broom-stick-sized needles and five kilograms of wool should do the trick.
Summer charm
Chunky knits aren’t just for woolly winter, they can be paired with light and pretty too. Knit up (or shop for) a cotton rug to drape over a daybed and pair with airy drifts of lacy-look linen to make a beautiful spot to lounge on a covered porch.
Chunky knits aren’t just for woolly winter, they can be paired with light and pretty too. Knit up (or shop for) a cotton rug to drape over a daybed and pair with airy drifts of lacy-look linen to make a beautiful spot to lounge on a covered porch.
Boyish charm
Get brave with your palette: here Pearson Design Group introduced chunky knits in colours pulled from the vintage movie poster on the wall to warm up a lodge-style bedroom.
Get brave with your palette: here Pearson Design Group introduced chunky knits in colours pulled from the vintage movie poster on the wall to warm up a lodge-style bedroom.
Or cool down the look with a sophisticated blend of blues and greens. The hits of neutral putty and black keep this scheme sophisticated, not kiddy, and on-trend with the botanical accessories – perfect for this Manhattan penthouse.
Even in the hot, tropical climate of Florida, this cool house uses Mexican resort style to keep things steamy. If a blanket is too daunting, start with a patchwork pillow. Comb your drawers for abandoned jumpers (or check out op-shops), wash them in very hot water (this helps to felt the wool and prevent it from unravelling), cut into squares and stitch together.
Don’t forget to update littlies’ rooms too: a giant knit in a cool pastel is the 2016 version of that knitted baby blanket from the 1950s layette.
Not surprisingly, it takes Italians to show just how ‘not Nana’ crochet can be. This will make you reach for your hooks to update those vintage kitchen chairs. Notice how cleverly the single square of the opposing colour makes it all sing.
Photographer and blogger Ilaria Chiaratti’s clever house in the Netherlands takes it into her living room: cool chair, cosy sheepskin, colourful crochet.
See more of this home here
See more of this home here
Floored by it
Another dutch blogger and craftswoman Nina Invorm, has taken her craft to the floor. It’s going to be a long time until summer; you could get this made by then.
Another dutch blogger and craftswoman Nina Invorm, has taken her craft to the floor. It’s going to be a long time until summer; you could get this made by then.
And don’t stop there
These knitted pouffes are in every big box and hardware store, going for a song. They are perfect footstools, and great for kids to plonk up to the coffee table for a bit of artwork or a story-time gathering. Or learn how to knit your own here.
These knitted pouffes are in every big box and hardware store, going for a song. They are perfect footstools, and great for kids to plonk up to the coffee table for a bit of artwork or a story-time gathering. Or learn how to knit your own here.
And what could be cosier than a couple in the bathroom to perch the kids on post bath, paint your toenails or stash the bath-time reading?
Remember knitting these face-cloths as your first attempt with the needles? Start with a ball of string, or amp up the class with a beautiful, quality knitting cotton. Cute gifts for a house-warming or baby welcome, and it sure beats a boring old sponge.
Get creative with a craft nook
Get creative with a craft nook
We sighed and whimpered over this super-storage solution in the bathroom, complete with knitted pockets for toiletries, kids’ bath toys and reading matter for the loo – it’s too cute for words. Be sure you make this out of cotton or nylon so it can be tossed into the washing machine to keep everything sweet and germ-free.
And for the craftsperson with time on their hands … sorry, we had to.
TELL US
What are you knitting or crocheting this winter to keep you cosy, mindful and happy? Tell us all about it in the Comments
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What are you knitting or crocheting this winter to keep you cosy, mindful and happy? Tell us all about it in the Comments
MORE
How to Slow Your Life Down
How to Hibernate: Hot Tips for a Warm As Toast Winter
Genius Hacks to Get your Craft Corner in Order
When it’s dark before you get home from work, what could be cosier than climbing into bed early and making progress on your latest woolly project. If you’re nimble with your fingers, a stained-glass crochet bedspread could be finished by spring – use random wools from your stash, framed with black or dark navy. Last month celebrated Knit in Public Day; this month, you can create your own knit-in-bed gathering for one.