What do you make?
I design and handknit merino knitwear, ranging from newborn through to 5yrs plus sizing. I also design the patterns for sale, make handmade buttons and knitting kits, along with a few other handknitted products.
Why would you buy something handmade?
I LOVE buying handmade, not only does it support many small businesses but the products I have found are usually far more superior in quality than massed produced items. The product also has a history of being created by someone that loves what they do and puts that time and effort into the finished item.
Where else might we see your work?
My work can be seen at www.naturalstar.co.nz where you will also find a stockists page. I have stockists in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. You will also find me on Felt, Etsy (naturalstar) and Trademe (under the username brendaml). You will also find some of my patterns at www.e-patternscentral.com and www.anniesattic.com.
How did you get into your craft?
Handknitting for me has always been a passion, I started when I was 7 (taught by my mother) and have never really put the needles down. As I grew more confident with my knitting skills I had fun playing with knitting and using different fibres. The pattern designing is something that I have always been interested in, even from a young age where I used to tweak/adapt vintage patterns to my pattern knowledge. Now I find nothing more satisfying than sitting down with a ball of wool, needles, pen and paper and coming up with the perfect design.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
No, what I know now has been self taught.
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
I only use fibres that are natural and sourced in New Zealand.
What are your favourite materials, tools and/or processes?
New Zealand has a great resource of some of the best fibres in the world which are perfect for our precious babies and children. My favourite fibres are NZ pure merino wool and NZ Treliske Certified organic merino wool. I am in the process of adding more pure bamboo knits to my range because it is a perfect fibre for babies delicate skin and can be worn by those that react to wool. These fibres and my designs together produce timeless, classical, vintage inspired handknits. My favourite knitting needles to use are bamboo.
natural_star.felt.co.nz
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