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NEWSLETTER: Clare Devine of Yarn & Pointy Sticks
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Over the next few weeks, I will be featuring designers and yarn makers I'd like you to meet. This week's newsletter highlights Clare Devine and her design company, Yarn and Pointy Sticks.
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Please tell me more about Yarn and Pointy Sticks
My name is Clare and I'm the designer and blogger behind Yarn and Pointy Sticks, where I create fun and interesting designs to knit and write about all things knitting and fibre related. I am passionate about combining beautiful design with patterns that give you opportunities to learn new skills and enjoy your knitting.
Has knitting always been a part of your life?
Knitting is something that is a fairly new addition to my life. While my grandmother was a fantastic knitter who created intricate Aran jumpers I grew up in South Africa, many thousands of miles away from her so I don't have stories of learning to knit on my grandmother's knee. My knitting journey started when I was travelling in Australia and wanted to buy a rather expensive hand knitted hat in a shop - the travel budget didn't stretch so I decided to knit my own hat. The rest, as they say, is history.
Learning is a key part of your knitting journey as both a knitter and designer, could you tell me a bit more about this?
Education is something very close to my heart and teaching knitting was a natural progression for me. I love helping others learn new skills and seeing the joy it brings to their everyday knitting adventures. Small things like different cast on methods, cabling without a needle and using lace charts are interesting to learn and a great addition to your knitting repertoire. I try to have learning elements within most of my designs, while keeping them fun and interesting to knit.
You have just released a new collection, could you tell us a little more about it?
The Tea Collection is a combination of two of my favourite things - tea and hats! I love nothing more than to sample a new tea while happily knitting away on a new hat. The Tea Collection features eleven hats, each named after and inspired by a different tea. The designs vary from super quick bulky knits to cables and lace in double knit, meaning there is something to suit every knitting mood.
The collection is available as an ebook and each design is also available as a single pattern.
I am currently hosting a (virtual) Tea Party in my Ravelry group where knitters can come and join in with a hat knit-along. Hats are great knitting projects, the make quick gifts, are great for those moments in between larger projects and perfect for using that gorgeous single skein you love so much.
More details about the collection and the knit-along can be found on my website. Hope to meet some of you there.
What skills can you learn from knitting hats in The Tea Collection?
There are lots of opportunities to learn and practice new skills in The Tea Collection. All of the hats are great fun to knit; although some require a little more attention than others. I have divided my hat designs into three categories as a general guide. I know some knitters prefer charts and other love written instructions, all my patterns include both charts (where relevant) and full written instructions.
Some patterns offer the opportunity to learn new cast on methods, namely the German Twisted Cast On and Alternate Cable Cast On. Tutorial links are provided and you can always use your preferred cast on method if you prefer.
Easy
- Chamomile: great stash buster - easy stripes, perfect for playing with colour.
- Liquorice: quick and easy with large, fun to knit, eyelets.
- Everyday Brew: the perfect unisex hat. Easy to adjust, quick textured pattern. Excellent for learning to read your knits and purls as you work.
- Lapsang: quick chunky knit - great introduction to lace (eyelet) knitting.
- Hibiscus: chunky lace knit with easy to remember repeat - great for practicing lace knitting skills and chart reading.
- Earl Grey: a simple cable hat, perfect for learning to cable without a cable needle.
- Chai: this fun statement cable with added texture is fun to knit and the chunky yarn means it is lightening fast to make.
- Lady Grey and Oolong: combines simple lace and cables, perfect next steps cable hat.
Requires some concentration
- Rooibos and Peppermint Leaves: these beautiful hats feature cables, lace and texture. They are interesting to knit and may require a little attention at times. The perfect project for a knitter looking for something that will hold their attention from cast on to cast off.
Where can we find you online?
You can follow my daily knitting adventures on Instagram: @clare.devine
You can find all my designs on Ravelry
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Come join me on Ravelry and let's knit together!
Lisa M. Barnes
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