New Venture

So, it's been a while. Since the summer when I installed a crocheted leg warmer onto a beam in the Boatyard Art Space in Middlewich, I have been very busy. 

I now go to a knitting and crochet club every week with my Gran. The club is in Northwich and is run by Joan of 'Crafty Stitches' and the club is called 'Chicks that Knit'. See her website at http://www.craftystitchesonline.co.uk/ or phone 01606 43187 to find out details. 

Whilst there, I have been very busy making hats for friends and family through the winter. This has been a nice little project for me and as soon as I finished one, it seemed as though there was always someone that wanted one for themselves. 

I have also done a few craft fairs, selling Christmas decorations, hats and flower hair clips. Finally, I have been commisioned for a few crocheted blankets. This is my favourite thing to do. Design or create something to someone's specific outline and see the final outcome develop over the weeks. In 2016, I would like to do this more. Please email me at lovecharliecrochet@gmail.com to order bespoke crochet gifts. 

However, as much as I would love to earn money from my crochet, it is inevitable that there is not always going to be business. I want to do something with my skills that benefits others. After doing some thinking and some research I have found a charity called Ray of Hope at Leighton Hospital that provides premature and tiny babies with handmade, knitted and crocheted baby hats, bonnets, clothes and blankets.  It is my aim over the next week to get in touch with this charity and see if I can help. Both myself and my sister were premature babies and it would be very warming to think that my handmade gifts could benefit new, tiny little lives. 

I will keep you posted. 

Love Charlie, Xx

Guess Who's Doing Some Bombing!

Guess Who's Doing Some Bombing!

Yes, I said bombing. Yarn-bombing! I am so excited to be involved in a project with the Boatyard Artspace on the canal side in Middlewich. You may have heard of yarn bombing before; or may be wondering what on earth it is. 

Yarn bombing is when a craft-artist or activist creates a knitted or crocheted piece of fabric that is custom made to be installed somewhere in the environment. Typically, bright, colourful stripes or patterened pieces are wrapped around trees and benches, bollards and statues. The purpose or this unique and quirky art practice is to reclaim urban, industrialised and corporate environments and bring in some creative energy and colour. Turning concrete and metal into a soft, familiar and comforting inhabitance. But it doesn't have to have purpose. This craft is a celebration of colour and the handmade. It can be a community project where several artists contribute or just an individual artist. Yarn bombs can be made from typical wool and acrylic blends or even recycled materials, raising issues of ecology. Yarn bombing can be a colourful and interesting way to draw attention to architecture and features of an environment. 

Over the next 3 weeks, I will be making various creations to decorate and celebrate a new and exciting community project and hopefully raise awareness of the incredible artistic talent we have harboured in Middlewich. The boatyard Artspace is developing swiftly into a creative hub of local talent. Ian Hill-Smith and other 'Middlewichian' artists have successfully turned an old boat keepers house into a tidy gallery, surfacing some of the hidden characterful architecture and traditional features of the cosy space. 

I have also been given the opportunity to display and sell some of my handmade gifts so please take a visit and have a look. The boatyard is also successfully running a tea shop so have a wonder down. The boatyard is on the section of canal opposite the British legion.

I am considering running some crochet workshops/lessons in the autumn/winter; where participants can learn to make a granny square and chunky hat. If you are interested please contact me through my Facebook page: Love Charlie Crochet, or email me at lovecharliecrochet@gmail.com

Check out the Artspace on Facebook at: Facebook/boatyardartspace