Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2021 i Mollie Magazine

Celeste Johnston is a maker, mother, and modern embroidery designer from Austin, Texas. She’s the creative force behind the popular Lemon Made Shop, where she sells bespoke embroidered hoop art inspired by nature, colour, and positive affirmations. Her original designs have earnt her a dedicated fan base, with over 30,000 Insta followers. And, Celeste’s also been a featured maker at pop-up shops for both West Elm and Madewell, as well as appearing in Be Creative, an international magazine celebrating fibre art. www.lemonmadeshop.etsy.com…

HOW TO MAKE RAINBOW CROCHET HOOKS Even if you’ve never crocheted a stitch in your life, we’re pretty sure these dreamy hooks have the power to convert you. Made using tactile polymer clay for a soft grip and colourful finish, they’re the loveliest way to bring even more joy to your yarny projects. Whip up a set in all different sizes to really spoil yourself, or gift them to a fellow crafter to make their day/month/ year. After all, who wouldn’t love making with mini rainbows? Before you get stuck in to the crafting action, you’ll need to create each of the colours used by mixing the base shades. Follow Chloe’s recipes to replicate her designs, or have fun creating your own colour palette instead. 01 Mix 10 different colours…

HOW TO MAKE A CROSS STITCHED CUSHION MATERIALS ■ DMC Cotton Perle Thread in 992 (turquoise), 3354 (pink), 946 (yellow) and 971 (orange) ■ 90 x 90cm (35½ x 35½") aida fabric, 6-count ■ 80 x 80cm linen backing fabric ■ Invisible zip, 60cm (23 /8") ■ Cushion pad, 70 x 70cm (27 /8 x 27 /8") ■ Embroidery needle Since the release of iconic period drama Bridgerton, a whole world of potential crafters have found themselves burning for the idea of needlework. It’s wholesome, super easy to get into, and it’s a pretty relaxing way to pass the day when there’s not much else going on. We like to imagine we’re waiting for visiting suitors while stitching. As much as Team Mollie love a good historical throwback, we couldn’t…

HOW TO MAKE ORIGAMI DECORATIONS MATERIALS ■ Three patterned papers from page 57 ■ Ribbon, 30cm (11 /8") ■ Paper glue ■ One A5 sheet of plain paper ■ Small box frame, 20 x 20cm (7 /8 x 7 /8") Love your illustrated pull-out papers in Mollie but looking for creative ways to use them? Then check out origami genius Esther’s trio of cute keepsakes using Megan Rose Bill’s designs from this issue. Three sheets of paper will make a hanging decoration, mini bud vase and statement wall art, all using the art of sonobe – a type of origami module. This clever shape lets you create all sorts of structures, so once you’ve given these a go, flick through your trusty stash of old Mollie issues and have a…

HOW TO MAKE A SALTED CARAMEL CHEESECAKE SERVES 10-12 INGREDIENTS For the base ■ 320g (11¼oz) gluten-free digestive biscuits ■ 2 tbsp light brown sugar ■ 150g ( /3 cup) butter For the filling ■ 700g (3 cups) full-fat cream cheese ■ 100g (¾ cup) icing sugar ■ Pinch of salt ■ 3-4 tsp caramel extract ■ 300ml (1¼ cups) double cream ■ 150g (5¼oz) gluten-free chocolate-covered caramels For the topping ■ 200g (7oz) gluten-free caramel sauce ■ Pinch of salt ■ Toffee popcorn EQUIPMENT ■ 20cm (8") loose-bottomed tin If you can’t resist a buttery biscuit base, this indulgent dessert is the one for you. Piled high with soft, fluffy cheesecake filling, then drizzled – or drenched in – salted caramel sauce, it’s the ultimate weekend treat. Best of…

Gavriella Treminio When it comes to creating, designer and botanical yarn dyer Gavriella likes to keep it slow and beautiful. She wears many crafty hats, but her true joy is found in knitting and keeping it cosy. Make Gavriella’s knitted potholder on page 26. www.hellogavriella.com Megan Rose Bill After two years travelling the Australian Outback in her campervan, Megan started her own print design business by drawing inspiration from the natural world. She enjoys early morning yoga, listening to podcasts, and bringing a creative calm to all her projects. See Megan’s colourful pull-out art prints on page 57. www.meganrosebilldesigns.com Abigail Amankwa Abigail is the founder of M+H Cake Company, and has lifelong experience in eating cakes. She always dreamt of creating her own beautiful bakes, and hasn’t stopped since her…

ILLUSTRATOR STACIE SWIFT Hi Stacie! Your positive, colourful designs always brighten up our Instagram feeds – tell us more about yourself. Hello! I’m an illustrator, author and a mum, and my designs encourage self-care and kindness. How has 2020 affected the way you work? As I’m based in a small studio in my house, I’ve been able to work in the same space throughout the restrictions and lockdowns, drawing, writing and packing orders from my little pink desk. What has changed is the time I’m able to spend working – my children are aged five, three and one, so we have a lively and demanding house! I’ve had to adapt to having less dedicated work time and learn to be as efficient and productive as possible. It’s given me a…

01 Constrasting the gentle beauty of a Japanese anemone against a rich, warm background, everything about this floral print gives us the urge to feel soil between our fingertips. Pure genius rendered in gouache. www. anniedornansmith.co.uk 02 The sight of a minimal space is akin to a visual palette cleanser, rebooting your brain and allowing it to really savour each individual item. And, with Habitat’s new artisan range, there’s a whole lot of goodness to feast your eyes on. www.habitat.co.uk 03 Instead of trying to mould clay into the shape you want, the art of kurinuki involves carving it away to reveal striking tactile facets. We’re sure there’s a metaphor in there somewhere, alongside Blank Earth’s textured saki bottle. www.blankearth.co.uk 04 From banana bread to sourdough starters, lockdown life has…

Living in a digital world, we’re bombarded with Insta-worthy inspiration and Pinterest images so perfect, sometimes it’s difficult to silence that saboteur voice telling us whatever we make won’t be good enough. But, with everything else going on around us, don’t you think it’s time to fight against that? 2021 is prime for pushing back, embracing craft purely for the love of it, and not letting fear of failure stop you from making what you want. The first step towards shaking off those perfectionist traits is understanding the difference between striving for faultlessness and wanting to grow as a maker – two very different things. Steph Hartman, founder of Collage Club (www.collageclubldn.com), is all for self-improvement. “I think it’s important to have high standards for yourself, but if it becomes…

FELT ELEPHANTS BY ANABELLA CAHWJE FELT ELEPHANTS BY ANABELLA CAHWJE CROCHET WALL HANGING By sasha koffer CROSS STITCH CUSHION BY STELLA AND ELENI GRIGOROGLOU CROCHET BLANKET BY EMMA ESCOTT EMBROIDERY STITCH GUIDE USE OUR HANDY GUIDE FOR THE FELT ELEPHANTS ON PAGE 14 FRENCH KNOT Come up at point 1, then wrap the thread around the needle twice. Holding the working thread with your non-dominant hand, bring the needle down at point 2 (next to point 1) and pull to form a knot. Mollie Makes (ISSN 20460228) (USPS 20517) March 21 is published 13 times a year (monthly, with a Christmas issue in November) by Immediate Media Company Bristol Ltd., Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST United Kingdom. Distributed in the U.S. by NPS Media Group, 2 Corporate Dr.,…

FILL THAT EGG PRINT JUMPSUIT-SHAPED HOLE IN YOUR LIFE, because you deserve nothing less than the cheeriest, most jazzy get-up to boost your mood. After months of pyjamas and loungewear on repeat, it’s time to prep your wardrobe for when freedom hits. So, say hello to the wondrously named Magic Egg Suit, featuring artwork by Priyanka Batra of My Darlin’. It’s both one simple garment and a serious statement outfit. www.nooworks.com LATEST DROP OUTER SPACE, but in your home. Amber of Whisker Woven has been whipping up the loveliest yarny wall hanging pieces, and we’re especially starry eyed over this planet design. She’s making tasselled moons in the same style too – keep tabs on her Insta for the next shop update. www.whiskerwoven.com WE’RE ALL ABOUT THAT COLLAB LIFE, especially…

Anabella is a Brighton-based artist who works full time creating little heirloom animals, soft toy patterns and baby mobiles for her brand, What a Curly Life. She loves making people smile with her work and brings her characters to life with sweet stories, mixing in her passion for photography and travelling. While she’s sewing, Anabella’s always dreaming of her next adventure – keep up with her creative journey on Instagram @whatacurlylife. www.whatacurlylife.etsy.com…

HOW TO MAKE A COLOUR BLOCK FLEECE MATERIALS ■ 1m (39 3/8") each of fleece fabric in mustard (Fabric A), pink (Fabric B) and orange (Fabric C), (we used Polar Fleece fabric in Mustard, Pink and Burnt Orange from www.minerva.com ) ■ Zip, 15cm (6") ■ 6cm (2 3/8") cuff ribbing fabric (Fabric D) (we used Ribbing Cuffing in Black and Gold from www.minerva.com ) ■ Pattern paper Officially over cold weather and gloomy days? We’ve got you. This super cosy fleece is just what you need to see you through the last push of winter all the way to spring. Emily’s retro-style sportswear top won’t just have you bringing the sunshine, it’ll level up your dressmaking skills too. Drafting a simple pattern using your own measurements, you can make…

HOW TO MAKE A CROCHET BLANKET MATERIALS ■ Scheepjes Cahlista, 100% natural cotton, 50g/85m/93yds per ball, 14 balls in Old Lace (130), three balls each in Watermelon (252) and Sweet Mandarin (523), two balls each in Rich Coral (410), Powder Pink (238), Ginger Gold (383), Light Coral (264) and Vintage Peach (414), and one ball each in English Tea (404), Brick Red (504) and Topaz (179) ■ 5mm (UK 6, US H/8) crochet hook ■ Yarn needle TENSION The first three rounds of a hexagonal motif measure 11.5cm (4 /8") across ABBREVIATIONS (UK) st(s) stitch(es) sp(s) space(s) ch chain dc double crochet tr treble ss slip stitch rep repeat RS right side WS wrong side SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS 3tr-cl three treble cluster – *yarn over, insert hook into st, yarn over,…

Designed to soothe your senses, Takahashi McGil’s hand-carved pieces are a tactile delight to behold – and hold. Husband and wife team Mark McGilvray and Kaori Takahashi plane, chisel, turn, wax and lacquer each item at their Devon studio, taking care that every product celebrates the wood it came from. www.takahashimcgil.com…

HOW TO MAKE A CROCHET WALL HANGING MATERIALS ■ Fibra Natura Cottonwood DK, 100% cotton, 50g/105m per ball, one ball in Barb (41120) (Yarn A), Janene (41105) (Yarn B) and Alana (41112) (Yarn C) and small amounts in Pauline (41108) (Yarn D) and Emma (41102) (Yarn E) ■ 2.5mm (UK 12, US C/2) crochet hook ■ Dowel, 30 x 1cm (11/8 x /8") ■ Black embroidery thread ■ Pair of round black buttons, 1cm ( /8") diameter ■ Yarn needle ■ Comb ■ Cardboard, 10cm (4") wide TENSION Approx 24 sts x 27 rows to 10cm (4") over dc ABBREVIATIONS (UK) st(s) stitch(es) ch chain dc double crochet inc increase by working 2dc in one st ss slip stitch MR magic ring – hold yarn in your hand and wrap…

HOLDING THE HOOK PENCIL METHOD Hold the hook in your dominant hand like a pencil, roughly 3-5cm (1¼-2") from the hooked end. If the hook has a flat area, hold it here between your index finger and your thumb. KNIFE METHOD Hold the hook between your thumb and your index finger, about 3-5cm (1¼-2") from the hooked end, resting the other end against your palm. This will give you plenty of control. HOLDING THE YARN METHOD ONE Pass the ball end of the yarn between the little finger and third fingers of your non-dominant hand, then behind the third and middle fingers, over your index finger. METHOD TWO Loop the ball end of the yarn around the little finger of your non-dominant hand, then take it over the third finger,…

SLIP STITCH (SS) THIS STITCH HAS NO HEIGHT, AND IS OFTEN USED TO JOIN ROUNDS 01 Slip stitch is used to join a length of chain into the round. Insert the hook from front to back into the first chain worked. Wrap the yarn around the hook, anti-clockwise. 02 Pull the yarn through the chain stitch, then the loop already on the hook, to make a slip stitch. You can also work this into each stitch along a row to form a neat edging. WORKING IN ROWS FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE RULES TO CONSTRUCT CROCHET FABRIC 01 The first row is made by working across the foundation chain from right to left. At the end of the chain or row, turn the work so the yarn coming from the ball is…

“Swatching should be like sketching, working out ideas.” Ever since I was at art school, something one of my Fine Art tutors said has stuck with me, and it always comes to mind when I’m grappling with that elusive concept of ‘inspiration’. He said, “It always comes back to the landscape,” and you know what? It always does. As a creative, the fear of not being able to generate a new idea is ever present, a niggling voice at the eleventh hour past the deadline, a blank sheet of paper. Ultimately, it’s what drives you to innovate, to make, and to craft. But it’s not easy and you have to work for it. So, in those moments of doubt, I am consistently reassured in the knowledge that there is nothing…