Swatchin

There's just been so much swatch action lately.. thankful for spotify and intelligentsia. (Photos taken with Instagram)

These wheels just keep on turnin.

I've been fixing up some old spinning wheels lately. Thus far this is my fav..... 

K Y L E E D A V I S 's "Winsome Jackie Winter"

Photo by Libby Kinnaird

Model Eden WhitlockHair & Make-up by Andi Coventon Mua

Last Friday night I was invited to a private showing of Kylee Davis's latest collection entitled "Winsome Jackie Winter." I admire Kylee's work, and am utterly excited that we were introduced last year.

It was quite the evening - full of champagne, sexy jazz music (Bella Kalolo) and canapés.. Kylee highlighted and explained a few pieces, then released us to have a closer look at the collection. Her knitwear is only available at Brown's in the UK and Curate in Auckland, and at these showings..  I didn't get the chance to take any photos, but here are some from other shows posted on her FB site.

cheers,
han

Photo by Joel Mitchell

Photo by Libby Kinnaird

Model Eden WhitlockHair & Make-up by Andi Coventon Mua

Photo by Joel Mitchell

Photo by Joel Mitchell

Now available in Nikki Gabriel's Gather

Hi friends.

Hope you're all having a splendid weekend.

If anyone is in Napier, be sure to stop in at Gather, Nikki Gabriel's new shop. Our yarns are available there along with other beautiful textile assortments. Her new shop is featured on her blog.. check it out!

Talk soon,
han

O r g a n i c W o o l

I’m so excited about my new wool, I have to share.

Last week I received a shipment of organic superfine merino that's grown on a farm in Otago (South Island) called Lammermoor Station. I couldn’t be happier with this wool. AMAZING stuff.

Organic fibers are growing in popularity as people see the benefits environmentally, and in overall quality of the fibre.  Nature Baby, a great baby apparel company comments on organic fibres, saying: “Organic Merino Wool production is based on positive holistic management systems, which reduce or eliminate the need for most agricultural chemicals and promote healthy soil, air, waterways and humane animal practices.”

It’s a bit more work for the farmer, but it makes for happier sheep and better fibres for the environment and, of course, for you and me. In sum, organic wool implies a few things:

1. the sheep can only graze on organic forage and feed 

2. the sheep cannot be given synthetic hormones, vaccinations, pesticides, parasiticides (insecticides) 

3. all processing of the wool is free of nasty chemicals, i.e. harsh detergents or petroleum based oils (which deplete the benefits of lanolin and can irritate a person’s skin while wearing the wool garment).  Note that lanolin is awesome for your skin (read more here). 

Feel free to add this list to your fridge (or pin it to pinterest)

Let me know if you want to try some.. its pretty awesome!!

much love,

han

hand knitted "woods of net"

Another interesting use of yarn – a completely hand knitted play structure designed by Toshiko Horiuchi Macadam from Tezuka Architects. “We wanted to design a space as soft as the forest where the boundary between outside and inside disappears. The space attracts people like campfire.”(archdaily.com)  It seems like a great space that encourages kids to magnify and stretch their imagination.  Anyone keen to make one with me?!

cheers,

han

colour plyed

This yarn was originally constructed for Sophie Rzepecky, a weaver based in Wellington who recently won the Athfield Architects Outstanding Achievement in Textile Design. (congrats sophie!) Colour ply has also has been used in knitwear garments. Note that the accent colour is customisable.. let me know if you want some.

much lovin,

han

PS – here’s a few pics of sophie’s recent work.. aren’t they lovely?!

PPS – have the merriest of all Christmases! Brock and I will be up in the Wairarapa with our lovely pal Christine having a summer BBQ.