Introducing Nundle Yarnista: Karina Honyi

May we introduce Nundle Yarnista: Karina Honyi

When did you first learn to knit, crochet, or create projects with yarn?

I would have been about 8 years of age.

Who introduced you to this love? 

I was taught to knit by my grandmother Aurora when she visited Australia from Peru (my country of birth). Sadly I don’t have any of the things I knitted but I do have a shawl, my 1^stbirthday dress & my 4^th birthday dress that were all knitted by her, my daughter has worn them all. The 1^st birthday dress will soon be 45 years old!

Where do you like to knit/crochet/yarnbomb, etc?  

I’m always working on projects and until recently was knitting newborn props for photographers https://www.facebook.com/AurorasKnits  I was a photographer for 8 years before retiring to go back to full-time study (completed Cert IV in Community Services and currently undertaking Diploma in Community Services & Diploma in case Management and hope to attend University next year) so knitting is my stress relief. So with small projects there’s always something in my handbag.

I’ve recently caught the giant knitting bug and have designed my own knitting needles that are 45mm in diameter (which I will be selling), and I’ve been knitting huge blankets, scarfs and wraps, but my head is brimming with ideas for more things to try.

Do you create all year round or only during particular seasons?  What projects do you enjoy most?

There’s always some knitting within metres of me, thanks to air conditioning I can knit all year round, something my husband doesn’t understand in Summer, lol!

Where do you look for inspiration?

Everywhere, but on the internet Ravelry & Pinterest are my favourites.  

What project would you point to as your "Proudest Yarnista Moment"?  

My sister’s 40^th birthday present (photo attached) a giant blanket, it weighs 2 kilos and I feel it’s something knitted with love, creativity and an artistic element (really passionate about this piece)

Is there anything else you would like to share that you think our fans might enjoy knowing?

I’m soon to be 46, married for 25 years, 2 kids 20 & 23, a dog ‘Lucky’ and a very spoilt cat named ‘Shelby’, she and I had a few issues when we first got her and my wool, but she’s now 1 ½ and she has her own wool balls I made her so she wouldn’t touch my wool.

Introducing Nundle Yarnista: Bunny Devine

May we introduce Nundle Yarnista: Bunny Devine

I come from a long line of crocheters and knitters and hands-on make it yourself type people.  I remember sitting at the feet of my great grandmother - Gammy as she sat crocheting in her massive rocking chair watching her hands move swiftly and deftly over the piece, hearing her blue budgie Charlie-bird singing in his cage next to her. 

 

From as long as I could remember, my Nanna (Gammy's daughter), always had a little cane basket and a knitted piece on the go.  I could tell her mood by how loudly her needles clacked as she worked and as soon as I was old enough, my Nanna gave me some wool and a pair of needles and I was off.  I've knitted since I was about 6.5-7 years old and learnt to crochet with Gammy shortly after.  I loved to sit next my Nanna and knit beside her, although I'm sure now that I must have been quite distracting to her, but it was always our special time together.  Nothing seemed impossible to my Nanna, from, dresses to bathers, cushions to throws.

 

These two strong ladies from country Victoria shared stories, cups of tea and their love through the amazing pieces they made.  I still have all the baby clothes they made for me in soft rainbow pastel shades and my favourite jumper was knitted by my Nanna when I was about 7.  It was a brilliant cherry red pure wool round necked jumper with a white pattern over the chest that looked like big square white teeth to me when I was little.  Alas, I no longer have the jumper as it was passed on when I grew out of it, but I still have fond memories of the brilliant women who inspired and encouraged me.

 

I taught myself to knit pure wool socks about 10 years ago and now I'm the family sock knitter, making sure everyone has thick wool socks for winter, to silk sockettes for the girls in summer.  Turns out, theres been one sock knitter in most generations of my mums family, except it stopped with my Nanna.......... until I found a pattern, and then it flowed like a babbling brook.

 

I knit all year round, but often take a few weeks break after challenging projects and I look to magazines, thrift  and vintage shops and the internet for inspiration.  I'm a member of Ravelry (Vintage Princess) and follow sites like Craft Gawker as well as numerous handcrafted blogs.

 

I will knit almost anything and my most challenging piece to date is a full size canna lily hat which was commissioned by my best friend for her step-mother.  It took me thirteen attempts and I wrote the pattern as I knitted and the thirteenth attempt was the charm.

 

I feel so proud and blessed to have been selected as a finalist in the Nundle Yarns "Most Creative Yarnista".  I can't wait to share my outrageous piece.

 

For now, I'm back off to my non-creative day job, but just know I'll be itching to get home and knit a few more rows tonight.

 

Happy knitting and creating, may your ideas be grand and your work wonderful.

Cheers

 

Ally aka Bunny Devine xxx

Introducing Nundle Yarnista: Elizabeth Castle

May we introduce you to Nundle Yarnista Elizabeth Castle

When did you first learn to knit, crochet, or create projects with yarn? 
Since a very young age I have always enjoyed doing crafts.  When I was about 7 or 8 years of age Mum taught me to crochet and to knit, however I never had the patience to finish a project. About 2 years ago I picked up my crochet hooks whilst I was pregnant with my baby boy and decided to reteach myself how to crochet using Youtube tutorials. From there I have learnt to read and even write my own patterns. I have really developed a love of crochet now, it has become a real passion of mine.

Who introduced you to this love?
My Mum was a knitter and crocheter and taught me both. Mum was always very busy with work and keeping the household running, but in her spare time she always had some baby garment on her needles.

Where do you like to knit/crochet/yarnbomb, etc?  Only at home or knitting club, or do you take your projects everywhere you go? 
I mostly crochet at home whilst my son is taking a nap or in at night while watching tv or sitting bed. I also take my project with me on holidays or when we are going on a car trip. I seem to get a lot done while I'm a passenger in a car and I dont have a baby pulling at my yarn or trying to take my hook and pattern.

Do you create all year round or only during particular seasons?  What projects do you enjoy most?
Winter is a favourite time of mine though, as I get to wear and see others wearing beautiful, warm and cosy knitted or crocheted items.  However I now create crocheted items all year round as I have recently started selling my items on Facebook and at markets.  I love crocheting everything, from home decor, to wearables, toys, photo props... you name it, I will have a go at making it. I especially love making items for my son one of my favourites was a  hungry caterpillar cocoon and beanie I made him for a photo shoot when he was a few months old. (photo attached)

Where do you look for inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere. Whilst I love searching the internet for new patterns and techniques I also love getting inspiration from non yarn items.

What project would you point to as your "Proudest Yarnista Moment"?
I think my proudest moment would be when I finally finished a project I had started when I was a child. I had begun making granny squares for a blanket when Mum first taught me to crochet, after making about 3 squares I gave up. Mum had kept these squares and I decided to complete the blanket for my baby boy. Almost 20 years after starting the blanket I finished it and it is used every day in my sons cot. (photo attached)

Introducing Nundle Yarnista: Dell Nolan

When did you first learn to knit, crochet, or create projects with yarn? Who introduced you to this love?

Crocheting is one of my greatest loves :) I am self taught & have been crocheting for roughly 4 years. 

Where do you like to knit/crochet/yarnbomb, etc? 

I always have my crochet projects with me every where l go. A 2 hour trip in the car is the perfect time to whip up some granny squares or some crochet flowers to add to projects...or maybe a nice pole piece for a spot of Yarnbombing!!

Do you create all year round or only during particular seasons?  

I crochet all year round, in summer l try not to do big bulky projects but l love nothing more than hooking up a baby blanket or two or thirty in the winter months, sitting in the rocking chair by the fire! 

What projects do you enjoy most?

What I most love to do is creative, outside the box projects! Recently l've been spending some time on what l like to call "Yarnadermy", mounted & framed crochet animal heads. And colour!! Can never have too much colour, all my projects include a rainbow of many colours!

What project would you point to as your "Proudest Yarnista Moment"?  

My proudest "yarnista" moment?? I recently had my first works in an art exhibition. I made a special piece for the exhibit, a piece l named "Yarnataur", I have included a photo for you :)

Another special yarnista moment for me was to have some of my yarn bombed chairs displayed at The Royal Melbourne Show. I have included a photo of the display for you.

And last but not least l have added a photo of a yarn bombed gate l recently did for "the Gippsland Gatescape". Yarnbombing is a great way to have fun with trying new stitches & techniques. 

Introducing Nundle Yarnista: Christine Jones

May we introduce you to Nundle Yarnista, Christine Jones

When did you first learn to knit?  

I can’t remember learning to knit but I do remember that I had to knit some kind of soft toy in year 5, so I was about 10 and I made a teddy bear. Around the same time I knit a beanie for my pop (I had to reknit it because the first one was too big). I still remember that it was maroon and white stripes with a giant pompom on top. Then my next memory of knitting was in college ( at around 18) and one of my classmates was always knitting, usually amazing fair isle jumpers, she got most of the class hooked on knitting. It was the 80s so it was all big, oversize, drop shoulder, lots of colour. Jenny Kee was my idol! I’ve never really stopped since then, and I’ve always loved colours.

This is me at home (wearing some knitted jewellery I made in a workshop with Teresa Dair), the jacket can be seen in the background.

When/Where do you like to knit?

I used to knit with a small group of ladies in Lennox Head once a week but now I’m working fulltime I don’t knit with others. I knit every night at home....I can’t just sit & watch TV/movie...I need to be knitting. If I’m not knitting then my family knows I’m either very tired or feeling unwell.

What inspires you when creating a project?

I’ve designed a few of my own patterns (which I sell via Ravelry – I’m there as yarnaboutyarn). My inspiration can come from anything.....the yarn, the colours, a cloud formation, water, anything.

For this competition I’m being inspired by Missoni (the Italian fashion house reknown for their chevron stripes and a picture by a graphic designer of stacked tea cups.

Introducing Nundle Yarnista: Ann Roworth

May we introduce you to Nundle Yarnista Ann Roworth

When did you first learn to knit, crochet, or create projects with yarn?

I'm not exactly sure when I first started knitting, I was probably 8 or 9 I think and somewhat lacking in patience. My first project was a pink scarf and I remember my Mum tirelessly picking up all of my dropped stitches! I have even earlier memories of creating a gigantic chain of finger knitting with my sisters and coiling it into a circular rug. I rediscovered a love of knitting around 2005 as a creative outlet and stress buster. The range of projects, techniques and yarns I have explored since then have grown exponentially. I taught myself to crochet last year.

Who introduced you to this love? 

Many women in my family are knitters, but my greatest influences would have to be my Mum and Gran. Both created many beautiful items for us: clothes for our toys; warm, hand-knitted jumpers, beanies and other clothing items.; even Chistmas decorations (a few years ago Mum even knitted a nativity scene complete with camels and woolly sheep!). Gran used to custom knit us bed socks for Winter and post them to us from Sydney to Quirindi and the cable knit jumpers she knitted on demand for two of my sisters were just beautiful.

Where do you like to knit/crochet/yarnbomb, etc? 

I will happily knit or crochet anywhere. I knit in the park, in cafes, in waiting rooms or on the bus. I will knit in company or alone. When I knit in public, people I don't know will often come up and chat to me about knitting, which is nice.

Do you create all year round or only during particular seasons? What projects do you enjoy most?   Where do you look for inspiration?

My friends think I am mad to knit in the heat of Brisbane summer, and they are probably right, but that doesn't phase me. A bemused Indonesian friend of mine once asked me why I was knitting jumpers for teapots in December and I replied that they were Christmas presents and that during a frosty winter in country NSW they'd become more useful! I enjoy knitting just about anything, but I hate knitting the same thing over and over again, I love variety. I find inspiration in books (old and new), magazines and websites, adapting patterns and experimenting with colour and texture to create unique pieces.

What project would you point to as your "Proudest Yarnista Moment"? 

My proudest moment was knitting my first jumper. It wasn't the most difficult pattern and the yarn I chose wasn't perfect either, but the fact I had made something that fitted me perfectly and that I still wear was a personal milestone. I was also pretty chuffed with the Hoot tea cosy I knitted a couple of years ago; inspired by Loani Prior's crazy cosies books and the ABC Kids show, Giggle and Hoot.

Is there anything else you would like to share that you think our fans might enjoy knowing?

I grew up in Quirindi, I'm a freelance editor and artist, I knit and sell hand-made original pieces under the name Twisted Stitcher and I am an errant blogger: www.annierow.wordpress.com.

Introducing Nundle Yarnista: Paige Rundle

May we introduce you to Paige Rundle

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a mother of two and have JUST graduated from USQ as a mature age student studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary).  Today was, in fact, my very first day on the job with my new year three class.

Who introduced you to yarn projects? 

I was taught to crochet by my mother-in-law who taught me right handed even though I am left handed.  I figured I'd learn that way because to begin with it felt strange in either hand!  I started around the time I had my first daughter, so about 2003.  I had another daughter in 2008 and suffered from post natal depression.  I think crocheting really relaxed me during this time!

When do you typically like to crochet?

I crochet all year round but tend to do bigger rug projects in winter as it gets quite cold up here in Toowoomba and it's great to snuggle under while you work it!  The hotter months I focus more on clothing items, smaller home-wares or toys.

This dachshund was probably one of my favorite projects.

Here's some sneak peaks of my Nundle "Most Creative Yarnista" submission.

Introducing Nundle Yarnista: Sharon Tilston

May we introduce you to Nundle Yarnista: Sharon Tilston

When did I first learn to appreciate yarn? Who helped develop this love?

I was born into a family of yarn crafters, my great grandmother was into crochet, both my grandmothers knit and one also liked crochet and CWA crafts. Mum knit beautiful lace layette pieces for me and my sister and brothers. My aunts also knit. In my memory, all women knit while watching television.

I wanted to learn to knit about age 5 but Mum knew best. So I focussed on Mum's left over partial ball stash. I learned to make tidy balls and Mum made sure they were not too tight. I wound wool around Mum's spare needles to look like stitches.

At 7 our class was taught to knit at school. Mum helped me at home. A few inches of free form lace with random increases resulted. Disillusioned I returned to playing with the remnant balls.

At 9 I begged Mum to let me knit. She helped me choose 8ply wool for a crew neck raglan jumper. I guess she thought if it was a five minute wonder she could use the yarn to knit me a jumper. Mum cast on and knit most of the rib, I knit the stocking stitch sections with Mum translating the pattern, helping with shaping, finishing and the neckline. This was our first successful knitting project which I wore with pride. Our tension was very similar so we went on to knit several jumpers this way as my skills developed.

Where do I knit? Everywhere!

Growing up on a farm 20 minutes from town meant lots bus and car trips. Once I learned to knit without looking I knit on most journeys. All the knitters I knew growing up, knit while watching television so I did too. As a young teenager I knit in waiting rooms although Mum discouraged knitting baby clothes at the doctors, people might talk. I was knitting baby gifts for older friends, family and aunts.

Now I knit in the lunch room, waiting rooms, as a passenger on car trips, public transport, volunteering at my local Museum, coffee shops, restaurants, watching my children play sport, bank queues, at the hairdressers, dentist waiting room, in the movies, supermarket queues and at my own wedding. Yes, I was sprung by my sister who marched me back to my other guests. I was showing my young niece how to knit with the craft equipment supplied to entertain our younger wedding guests.

I am known in the village I live in as the woman who walks and knits. Inspired by Richard Rutt's History of Knitting, I learned to walk and knit which has saved me from having to choose to exercise or knit. This also proves a conversation starter. People often ask if where my knitting is if I do not have my knitting in hand. I was once told by a non-knitter that it was impossible to knit and walk at the same time so I jumped up and demonstrated this feat.

 I started the Millthorpe Knitting Group with a friend so we could get together once a month and knit in my local pub. I am also the Treasurer of the Canowindra Group of the NSW Knitters Guild. 

Year Round Knitter: I live in a cool climate, NSW Central Tablelands so our summers are usually. Summer projects often include socks, cotton bandanas, face washers, lace and baby clothes.

Most Enjoyable Projects

Charity knitting and gift knitting. I enjoy giving knit gifts as it shows the time and thought that went into the gift. Mum encouraged me to knit for a friend of the family who was about to become a teen single mum when I was just 15. Twenty five years later when the same family had another daughter diagnosed with breast cancer and requiring a mastectomy, I returned to their doorstep with a bright lace shawl and a heartfelt note.

Knitting for my grandchildren is also fun as they are still young enough to enjoy being individuals.

Knitting Photos. Please note the only person who thinks taking photos of me knitting is important is my 3 year old granddaughter hence the quality of the photos.

This is the photographer helping Nannie knit booties, she went through Nannies knitting bag to find a project so she could knit with Nannie of her own accord:

Inspiration

I love to browse knitting magazines both printed and online, knitty.com is a favourite. Designers who have inspired me include Jenny Kee, Liz Gemmell, Kaffe Fassett, Debbie Bliss, Elizabeth Zimmermann, Barbara Walker and Brendon Mabley. Ravelry is also a great source of inspiration, being able to see how other knitters have interpreted a pattern or substituted yarns is wonderful.

Proudest Yarnista Moment

My wedding outfit. My husband still tells anyone who will listen that I am a Knitter who knit her own wedding dress. I also knit shawls for myself and my matron of honour. My aunts took a lot of convincing that I had hand knit the whole outfit including the skirt in 5ply.

 Anything Else?

I grew up at a time when wool companies dictated knitters use their yarn, as other yarns may disappoint and modifications were discouraged. I learned not to knit in the colours on the pattern illustration after I saw myself coming in my late teens. In my 20s I discovered knitting writers like Elizabeth Zimmermann and Barbara Walker who encourage knitters to think for themselves, knit garments to fit their own bodies and add texture or lace patterns if desired. Kaffe Fassett and Liz Gemmell taught me not to fear colour.

I case I come across as a typical knitting grandmother my other hobby is skating roller derby. My derby name is Tinkers Toss and my number is T1NK. Tink is knit backwards as I often tink back to fix errors. I do not give a Tinkers Toss who thinks I am too old to skate or what the knitting police have to say about my knitting or where I choose to knit.

I have knit derby shorts and crochet skirts to illustrate my derby persona. I love challenging stereotypes and preconceptions. I found my knit derby shorts and matching water bottle cover most useful when injured recently at an Armidale Roller Derby Boot Camp. I needed to direct strangers to my equipment on the other side of the room while waiting for an ambulance "Find the water bottle that matches these shorts. It is next to my equipment". It worked. Comments like "She has to have guts to wear THAT in public" (referring to my derby shorts with insertion lace) make me beam with pride.