You Are Enough
Crafting and Mental Health
Gosh, where has October gone? This past month was World Mental Health Day, and for this WMH day, I wanted to touch on a few points. Firstly, it’s okay not to be okay. For those of you who have been in the shop you may know that I tend to wear dungarees quite a lot and I often have pin badges on those dungarees, saying things like “You are enough” or “It’s okay not to be okay”.
Pin Badge
Secondly, I'd like to explore a little bit about how crafting and in particular knitting and crocheting and yarn crafts have really helped my own mental health. Back in 2022, I had a mental health breakdown. It was probably simmering away under the surface for some time, but a sudden family trauma blew all of my fuses. It took me quite some time to re-wire everything back together. It was so hard. It took me nearly two years to recover from, and even now, I'm still recovering from it.
The yarn community has quite literally saved my soul I don't know how many times. I have made lifelong friends through crochet and knitting retreats, and these people have been there for me to talk yarny stuff, to check in on me, to help me look after myself, and to come alongside me.
I firmly believe that a person’s mental health can be vastly improved by creating something. It could be wool crafts like crochet or knitting, or creating art with paints and canvas, or with cold malleable clay in the hands of a potter. Earlier this month, I actually had the opportunity to spend a little bit of time with a potter, and play with some clay. I had no idea what I wanted the clay to be, but I allowed the clay to be moulded by my hands. In time it became a small pot. During the process, I felt my breathing soften and my heart beat relax. I had a sense of calm. The cold clay from the earth had helped me to be still. It was a lovely experience, and hopefully, something I will do again.
Sock Circle - Casting on a new sock
This week I will be running another sock group and I’m really enjoying watching the progress of my lovely sock knitters. It wasn’t designed as a beginner group - everyone is already comfortable with handling wool and needles; but more of a “I can knit, but I’ve never knit socks” session.
If you are looking for a great beginner group, Sandra runs beginner knitting and crochet sessions throughout the week. These sessions do require booking in advance as they’re usually well attended.
I’ve been working on some samples for the shop, all crochet this time, and mainly from the Ricorumi book “Shrooom” and from my own pattern collection.
Mushrooms for the shop window
The cowl is my crocheted bobble cowl, and is designed to use 100g of DK or 4ply yarn. For this sample, I’ve used Scheepjes Stonewashed Minerals in shade 901 Agate Aria and Scheepjes Stonewashed in shade 813 Amazonite. The pattern is available here https://ravel.me/bobble-cowl-cch and in the shop.
Bobble Cowl CCH by Clare Hockley
Next on my list will be some knitted sock samples in this year’s West Yorkshire Spinners colour “Mulled Wine”. It’s a gorgeous colourway and evokes warm and cosy feelings of evenings by the fire. The yarn is available in the shop along with the pattern for the Nutmeg socks.
West Yorkshire Spinners
Anyway, that’s enough from me for now. Do make use of the cosy evenings and tell us what’s on your needles or hooks. Even better, why not pop in to the shop and show us in person.
Happy crafting everyone, and stay cosy.
Lots of love, Clare.
Sock-tober Time!
The Sock Circle…
A Cozy Circle for Happy Feet
This year, for the first time, October will be Sock-tober! Well, when you have a sock expert it would be daft not to use her 😁
There are a few parts to our current plan, I’ll try and explain…
Clare will be taking the lead on her two days with us (Tuesday/Wednesday). The rest of the staff are also sock makers, so advice is available even when Clare isn’t.
On a Tuesday, Clare will be working between 1&6pm. From 4-6 she will be hosting the ‘Sock Circle’. This is our new group for all sock knitters, from the absolute beginner to the expert who can turn out socks in their sleep. Our hope is that members will become a collective (think Borg 😉), helping each other, discussing patterns, asking Clare endless questions, and of course enjoying our ever-expanding range of sock yarns. By enjoying I mean treating themselves.
We have prepared kits for beginners which include both circular and double point ended needles, a copy of our favourite go-to basic 4 ply sock pattern and some other bits. The cost will also include your choice of a ball of West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply solid colour sock yarn. Access to Clare also comes with the kit. She will happily set you on your way and be there for moments such as the heel turn and the dreaded Kitchener stitch…
There will also be a ‘Mystery Sock’ bag. This will include a mystery pattern and yarn. Designed for those who have progressed from the beginner's stage. The hope is that this can then become a monthly kit. Our way of introducing you to patterns and yarns you might not have tried before. I have my fingers firmly crossed for this to work. So many patterns, so many yarns, so much sock happiness.
The Mystery Sock bag will also be available to purchase through the website for those interested but unable to make it into the shop in person. All you need to do is drop us an email at kraftworkhartlepool@gmail.com and we will let you know the price plus p&p. You can become a long-distance member of the Sock Circle.
SeersuckerSox - Pattern by Clare Hockley
I hope this has given you a taste of what’s on offer and tempts you into the store to try your hand at sock making. Believe me when I say it’s addictive.
Hand knitted socks. Pattern: Basic 4ply Socks, by Winwick Mum. Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply, Colourway: 864 - Wood Pigeon
What’s currently on my needles? Actually, this month I’m crocheting. There’s a new kit available in the shop from Rico. Two actually. Christmas baubles. I couldn’t resist and using the time honoured ‘I’m making them for display’ excuse (honestly), they are slowly taking shape.
Happy crafting one and all, and don’t forget to drop in and spoil yourself or someone you love with woolly gorgeousness.
Deb x
“Sock knitting brings comfort to the hands, stillness to the mind, and warmth to the feet.”
Spin Me a Yarn
It’s Almost Cosy Season…
Basket of pumpkins - crocheted by Debbie
There’s always something daunting about putting pen to paper (old school), to create the inaugural blog for our shiny new website. No point in re-hashing the origin story, if you’ve made it this far you will already have seen it (and hopefully read it). So, a different subject required, get your little grey cells in gear Deb…
Autumn is undoubtedly my favourite season. The nights are drawing in, fires are being lit, woollies are dug out of their summer hideaway. For me it’s the colours of autumn, that amazing array that nature provides; red, orange, gold, bronze, chestnut, brown.
Let’s talk about autumn knits. How about that classic aran sweater. If it’s made from 100% wool this beauty can last for years and never go out of fashion. A true investment piece. Or how about a scarf, soft as a cloud, to keep that pesky draught from the back of your neck.
Debbie’s current Project - Seersucker Socks in Hand Dyed Yarn
On my needles right now, I have a pair of socks. (Fun fact, I learnt to knit in order to make socks). If you have never tried on a pair of hand made socks trust me when I say you won’t know what you’re missing. At this time of the year, they will keep your feet toasty warm. My current WIP is the ‘Seersucker’ pattern designed by our very own Clare. With this pattern it’s all about the texture. I was drawn to squidge it as soon as she showed me her finished sock. The wool I have chosen to work with is from my stash of hand-dyed yarns (a passion of mine), the label has been lost between skein and ball so I can’t credit the maker. But for me, the colour is perfect for autumn.
Clare’s new cast on - Thick woolly boot socks - Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners ColourLab Sock DK Pattern is 8ply DK boot socks by Winwick Mum.
Ready to start your own autumn make? Our stock is bulging with warm and chunky yarns for your pleasure. Come on in and choose your favourite or go crazy and try something new (you know you secretly want to 😉).
Happy crafting.
Debbie x