Connecting to Craft
How learning a new craft has left me inspired
Hello knit clubbers, thank you for joining us for round two!
This week I’ve been thinking a lot about the deep connection I have to craft - particularly techniques that have been passed down through generations and protected over time. Last weekend, I spent a lovely day learning the basics of wood carving with master sculptor, Almut Andersson, and it reaffirmed to me how important it is to keep challenging myself creatively and how fulfilling it is to connect, and learn from, other makers. You’ll find out more about Almut, as well as how to find artisan workshops and classes near you, in this newsletter and for those in Hamburg, I’ll be exhibiting reworked vintage garments alongside 10 other artists at an exhibition next weekend, that’s very close to my heart. I hope that sharing these ideas, experiences and more people from our creative network help you to feel inspired and potentially try something new, too.
See you at: Beletage exhibition
Between the 7th and 9th of June, a historic villa in Rathenaupark on the outer edge of Altona has been given the chance to be used by the creative community, as a place to host the Beletage exhibition as part of Altonale. A celebration of how old and new connect in craft, 11 artists and makers have been invited to show their pieces - and we’re one of them! This will be a truly special event with community at its heart and a focus on traditional crafts and time-honoured methods across weaving, embroidery, forging and more. Come and say hi, and take the time to browse the area, where you’ll find cafes, florists and boutiques, too. Find it here.
Knit Club basket: our reworked vintage linen pieces
Speaking of the Beletage exhibition; we will be bringing a selection of our reworked embroidered jackets and sets to display, each one made from vintage materials sourced from Scandinavia, Scotland and Germany. Not only do we love creating something new for today, from fabrics that have lived on from tomorrow, each one is completely unique and feels like wearing a little piece of artwork. You can see them at the exhibition, in our Hamburg store and for our Japan-based readers - hi guys! - we’ll be sending a collection out to our suppliers there very soon, which we’re really excited about.
Until then, have a look at our reworked pieces here.
Embrace craft: Homo Faber guide
If you’re interested in pursuing a craft yourself, whether it be as a long-term skill or just to try something new, I couldn’t recommend it more.
The Homo Faber guide is an incredible resource for finding artisans worldwide. It acts as a catalogue, helping you to connect with artists running experiences, but also museums and exhibitions centred on craft. Homo Faber does so much to protect these skills and encourage next generation artisans with fellowships, programs for young ambassadors and an amazing biennial happening this September in Venice.
Our creative network: Lulu MacDonald
I’ve been following Lulu’s art for some time and not only is she a wonderful person, she’s incredibly talented and works across a range of mediums to create sculptures that really make you think. I particularly love her colourful glass works, which she recently exhibited in Berlin, intertwined with iron beautiful structures and called ‘Spirit of the Wind’ to start a conversation about our environmental crisis. Check out Lulu’s Instagram, but you can also see her at the Beletage exhibition in Hamburg with me.
Get your hands dirty: wood carving classes
Last week, myself and a hand full of friends attended our first wood carving class with master wood sculptor, Almut Andersson, at her incredible workshop just outside of Hamburg. Tucked away within the forest, it felt like being in a fairytale. Almut has been perfecting her skills for over 25 years and offers weekend classes which give you the whole day to craft something of your choice - which for me, was a picture frame. It’s such a wholesome feeling to spend time without your phone, using your hands and learning something new, I couldn’t recommend it more. And, using Homo Faber’s guide you can find a class of your own to try this summer.
Once again, thank you for reading our second issue of The Knit Club!
During the next issue, we’ll have a little take over in our Hamburg Shop. Morgens Studio will pamper you with her selected vintage interior pieces partnering up with von.flowers during their four week stay in Glashüttenstraße. More news in the notes soon.
Until then, enjoy the start of summer, get creative with a master’s class and meet us at the Beletage next weekend!
💘