Hello from Blogtacular!

By the time you see this post, I'll be away for Blogtacular * with lots of fabulous bloggers and creatives. I am incredibly excited as they include several friends I don't see very often, one or two I have yet to meet 'in real life' and some of the people I'm hugely inspired by (like Lisa Congdon!). 

Three of my favourite things - knitting, blogging and tulips! 
After we've met, I hope some of the attendees might want to check out my blog. If that's you, WELCOME - I'm happy you found your way here (please leave a comment to let me know you popped in). But this post is not just for Blogtacular attendees, it's for anyone who is visiting for the first time or has been following for a short while. Here are a few things you might like to know about me and this blog.

Background 

I'm Sarah Knight, blogger, 'multi-craftual' maker, designer and mum of two. Crafts from the Cwtch ('cwtch' rhymes with ‘butch’) blog began in 2011, at the same time as my knitting adventure. After swapping a very busy career to be at home with young children I needed something to keep my brain active. Learning to knit and write a blog changed everything - it started to attract regular readers while I gained new skills, a creative outlet and access to a community of like-minded crafters. Blogging saved my sanity and opened up a whole new world, which sounds like an exaggeration but really isn't. Thanks to CftC I've made some amazing friendships and have all sorts of opportunities that wouldn't have seemed possible a decade ago. Although my primary craft is knitting, I also crochet (a lot!), sew, spin, doodle and dabble... in all sorts of things. CftC reflects this.

If you wondered what I'm doing in my profile pic, Dedri Uys caught me lurking amongst the yarn on our Scheepjes tour! 

Blogging

New posts are published on average three times a week. This includes patterns (many are free), reviews, tips and tutorials, plus observations on all of the above - all presented with the aim of encouraging people (of any ability) to try new techniques and to experiment with knitting and other crafts. I love to include interviews and guest posts from high profile contributors within the community, as well as 'up-and-coming' makers I have my eye on. Seasonal ‘make-alongs’ (knitting and crochet) are always popular, and typically attract global participation via social media. I'm currently involved in the Last Dance on the Beach crochet-along, after designing one of the motifs in memory of my good friend 'Wink' / Marinke.

Designs 

If I could change one thing, I'd swap my Law degree for one in Art & Design - it was probably inevitable that I'd start designing, and that I'd have a preference for simple versatile shapes. As a child, I wrapped myself in my mother's fabrics, fashioning everything from headwear to "shoes". My blog designs began with basic doll clothes, and I now devise free patterns (and knitting recipes) for my readers, commissioned pieces for various brands, and have patterns for sale as an independent designer on Ravelry and LoveKnitting. More knitting and crochet designs are in the works, but this is my most popular (and simple) design to date: 

'Sky Full of Stars' convertible shrug pattern - exclusive to Love Knitting
Like the fabric creations from my childhood, my designs are uncomplicated and versatile - they can typically be worn in various different ways. The patterns are accessible to beginner/intermediate knitters, often including photo tutorials. I believe that knitting doesn't need to be complicated to be beautiful.


"As Seen In…"

Interviews and patterns have appeared in numerous magazines including Knit Now, Let's Knit and Simply Knitting. I have written for / been featured on several high profile blogs, popular podcasts and craft-related websites including Look at What I Made, Love Knitting blog, Deramores blog, Curious Handmade, A Playful Day and the ‘Blogger Inspiration’ pages of scheepjes.com. I and more famously, my knitting, also made a brief appearance on series 2 of the Great British Sewing Bee, when my mother was a contestant.

Whippoorwill designed by Carina Spence, handmade by me,  worn by my mum on GBSB

Collaborations

I love collaborating with other bloggers, makers and carefully selected brands, with the aim of providing interesting, informative and inspiring content. If you have an idea for a joint-project or commission, please do get in touch so we can discuss it. If you don't have anything we can work on, but you like what you find here, please sign up by email (in the sidebar) or Bloglovin' to stay up to date with future posts.

*Provided my battery survives, you can follow the weekend's shenanigans on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. I'll be back with the low-down on Blogtacular just as soon as I've recovered.

2 comments

  1. Multi-craftual!! Love it!! Lovely to meet you on Saturday Sarah x x x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Liz, you too! I've already strung my lovely beads and they are ready to wear! :) xxx

      Delete

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