Hand knits with a twist: scarves & cowls, necklaces, wire and bead bracelets, fingerless mitts, muffs & cuffs; plus some whimsical curious creatures. All perfect for special occasion gifts, as a personal present to yourself, or as a little (or large) thank-you to someone.
Commissions considered. Email me for further details.
Based in my “studio” (i.e. mainly my box room, but in reality almost every room in the house) in Berkhamsted I knit uniquely decorative and/or functional textiles. Maybe I toe the line with some pieces and keep to the straight and narrow; but, in other work I use smoke and mirrors to attempt to square the circle and create something out of this world.
I began my craft life as a fairly straightforward hand knitter, who didn’t enjoy the sewing-up involved in garment making, and so focussed on my trademark “Elspeth Jane” scarves – distinctive and eminently wearable pieces in a range of materials and in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, textures and colours.
I find the rhythm of knitting relaxing, and enjoy the intellectual challenge of working out how to create different shapes and patterns using the building blocks of needles and two basic stitches: knit and purl. By combining different types or colours of yarn a simple structure or plain colour can be transformed into something much more interesting.
I am inspired by the materials with which I work – the huge array of commercially available threads and yarns, as well as by the colours and textures of the natural world. I tend to work out my ideas as I knit and my pieces evolve and develop their own distinctive style and character which, in turn, is reflected in the title of each scarf.
With my other creations, it's not quite a question of anything goes, but I do like to wander the highways and byways of stitch patterns, and use up as many of my bits and pieces of yarn as I can. Whatever the result, I like to think that what I make is touchy-feely and gives pleasure, not only to me, but to the ultimate recipient of the item.
In more recent years, I have taken a walk on the wild side in my hand knitting journey. I started making jewellery – yarn necklaces and cuffs, with and without beads, and wire bracelets incorporating beads, buttons and semi-precious stones – and also indulged my whimsical side by creating a small range of felt-headed knitted cats and other Curious Creatures (also generally perceived as cats – but make of them what you will!). The latter come with a name and a character reference - both names and characters begin with the letter C and serendipity plays a large part in deciding which adjective goes with which Creature and which name applies.
Knitting may seem like a homely pursuit, but I am still learning and each piece is an adventure - I never quite know how it will turn out till it's done.
Prices vary but are generally in the following ranges: scarves £28-£45; bracelets £18-£36; necklaces £18-£24; cuffs £25-£30; muffs £20-£24; earwarmers/headbands £12.50-£17.50; hats £20-£30; little cats £7.50; Curious Creatures £26 each, £50 for a pair; other whimsical or festive decorative items £7.50-£15.
I have taken part in Herts Open Studios for a number of years. I also usually take part in Bucks Art Weeks, and show at fairs across Bucks, Herts, and Oxon.
I have been showing my work in the Dacorum Creatives Hub in the Marlowes Centre, Hemel Hempstead, since September 2020 and will continue to have work there until the end of December 2021. I also took part in the in-person HVAF Open Studios event with other Dacorum Creatives in the Marlowes Shopping Centre in 2020 and 2021.
I belong to the Coniston Creatives group and in the last few years have shown in Chesham Bois during Bucks Art Weeks. In the autumn of 2020 I took part in the Amersham Art Unlocked week-long in-person open studios event, and am part of the Amersham Art Unlocked organising team. We ran our first craft fair in November 2021 and plan to hold this event on an annual basis.
Contact me on elspeth.hector@btinternet.com or message me via Facebook or Instagram.