Innehållsförteckning för Issue 73 från Mollie Magazine

Cake in the office? The Mollies are there , poised to take advantage with a cheeky cuppa. This month, we’re channelling our sweet tooth into making with Christine Leech’s collection of mini felt patisserie – find out how to craft them on page 18. Talking of sweet, this issue is packed with ‘aaah’-factor makes. From Chloe Hardisty’s tiny tapestry suitcase to Liz Stiglets’ childhood-inspired merit badges to reward all the best qualities like kindness and creativity, you’ll be radiating good thoughts! If you’re in need of creative inspiration, read up on Wool and the Gang’s journey from NY start-up to knitting superstars on page 26. Plus, share your makes with us online using #molliemakers – I love seeing them.…

Chic cardies, cosy jumpers, chunky blankets: Rowan’s new Beachcomber knitting pattern collection includes 18 coastal-inspired designs for the whole family.Wrap ‘em up in handmade woollies and hit the beach. www.knitrowan.com Few garments transition between the seasons as seamlessly as this hand-printed Sketch Shirt from Loela. It’s made for wearing under a soft pink jumper on colder days, teaming with a denim jacket for a spring walk, or tucking into a floaty summer skirt. www.loela.co.uk Lee May Foster-Wilson’s hand-printed Little Lovers scarf features a ghostly smudge, a sprinkling of tiny hearts and a galaxy of dinky stars. Look really closely and you might spot some teeny weeny eyes watching you too! It’s available in blue or berry colourways. www.bonbiforest.com It may be described as a Winter Bowl by its makers, but…

‘We wanted to make knitting easy, fun, and inspiring for a new generation.’ If you knit or crochet, there’s no way Wool and the Gang will have passed you by. The epitome of current crafting, its sleek designs and trademark chunky yarns have revolutionised yarn crafts. It all began ten years ago when co-founders Jade Harwood and Auralie Popper were studying Fashion Textiles at Central Saint Martins. Auralie met Swiss model Lisa Sabrier, a fanatical knitter with a vision for a young, hip yarn pattern company. She enlisted the pair’s talents, and after graduating they spent three years in New York City building the brand. Opening a SoHo pop-up shop, they launched a range of kits, as well as ready-to-wear pieces made by Peruvian artisans. Now in London with a…

Modern life is stressful. If it’s not work, it’s money. If it’s not money, it’s multi-tasking. If it’s not multi-tasking, it’s screaming kids. If it’s not screaming kids… Little wonder our heads feel like they might explode. But, there is an antidote – mindfulness. “Mindfulness is about being present in the moment rather than being stuck in our heads,” says Dr. Barbara Mariposa, author of The Mindfulness Playbook (www.drbarbaramariposa.com). Dr. Mariposa’s work focuses on mental and emotional wellbeing, and she firmly believes there is a link between making and mindfulness. “When we engage in an enjoyable craft, our brainwaves slow down in the same way as when we meditate. The chatter in our heads that makes us feels stressed and anxious fades into the background.” CRAFTING A SOLUTION For many…

When your home town’s name sounds similar to a fictional Disney kingdom, the bar is set pretty high. Luckily, Arundel in West Sussex possesses a gem of a family abode. Not quite a castle, the home of SarahLou Francis and her daughter, Beth, is full of charm none the less. What SarahLou’s home does share with that of the Frozen princesses of Arendelle is a pretty, feminine style. “I have a very definite palette of colours I use: generally muted shades of blush, deep navy, off-blacks, layers of white and olive green. I have a fairly strong aversion to reds and purples!” But rewind to 2013 and you’d see a very different sight.This 1950s detached house has been SarahLou’s home for three and a half years, and that’s how long…

HOW TO MAKE… A MAGAZINE RACK MATERIALS • Two thick copper pipes, 2m (78 7/8") long, 15mm • Six copper equal tees, 15mm • 10 copper elbow pieces, 15mm • Pipe cutter • Strong glue • Cotton fabric, 120 x 52cm (47 3/8 x 20½") (we used Percale W Green Abstract Cactus from Stoff & Stil) Tick two of this year’s interior trend boxes and organise your stack of Mollie Makes mags with this handy rack. Combining industrial-look copper piping with fabric inspired by Pantone’s Colour of the Year, we can’t think of a better way to freshen up your living space. If you want to use an alternative fabric, pick a sturdy cotton or linen so the fabric doesn’t stretch. Hester’s finished version holds roughly…

HOW TO MAKE… A NIGHT SKY MOBILE MATERIALS Mobile hanger Different coloured felt Metallic faux leather Matching sewing thread White embroidery thread Hot glue gun Soft toy stuffing Tapestry needle We love making gifts to welcome a new baby, especially when they’re as sweet as this easy-sew moon and stars mobile. Designed to catch the attention of inquisitive eyes, this night sky display will keep little ones entertained by day and soothe them to sleep at bedtime. Pick similar felt shades for your version, or stay true to the stargazing experience with blues and greys. When hanging this mobile in a nursery or young child’s bedroom, always make sure it’s kept well out of reach. Avoid suspending it over a cot or crib, and always make sure it’s properly secured…

HOW TO MAKE… MERIT BADGES MATERIALS Whitecanvasfabric30.5 x 30.5cm (12 x 12") Embroidery hoop, 23cm (9") Embroidery needle Embroidery thread (we used DMC Stranded Cotton in 564 (mint), 601 (dark pink), 605 (light pink) and 728 (yellow)) Being a grown up can be hard, so we’re bringing back the days when completing a few simple tasks would earn you a badge to sew on the sleeve of your Brownie uniform. Or to your sash, if you were particularly prolific in the world of merit badge collection. This time round though, reward pals – and yourself – for the qualities you think are most meaningful. Patch the finished badge onto a bag or jumper using fusible interfacing, and switch up the colours to those of your choice (classic brown and…

01 AVOCADO FAIRY Welcome to the world of Avocado Fairy, where you’ll find a treasure trove of quirky crochet goodies. Explore designer Nancy’s world on Instagram and discover her shop & blog for thoughtful, unique gifts from wreaths to hot water bottle covers. www.instagram.com/avocadofairy 02 PLEWSY ‘ForThe Little Ones’ is the enchanting new children’s collection byYorkshire based design company Plewsy. It includes aged greetings cards, two gift wraps and brand new party stationery featuring cute toadstool illustrations for cool kiddos. Prices start from £2.50. www.plewsy.com 03 PIPISTRELLE DESIGN Individually hand-sculpted porcelain mushrooms by Bristol-based Pipistrelle Design are a beautiful and unique way to store and display your favourite rings and pieces of jewellery.They also make an exquisite one-of-a-kind gift for nature lovers. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PipistrelleDesign 04 GIDDY KIPPER Giddy Kipper makes a…

Lou Orth Lou lives at home with her three cats, two young girls and husband. As her children are half German, she’s currently learning it herself – Lou’s decided having teenagers who speak a language she doesn’t isn’t a wise idea! Sew Lou’s mini cork purse on page 89 . www.imstudiolou.wordpress.com Mandy O’Sullivan Mandy is a mum of three, guesthouse owner, photographer and an avid crafter – as you might have guessed, she gets bored easily. A self-confessed ‘Jack of all trades’, the one thing Mandy doesn’t get tired of is Instagram. Crochet Mandy’s floral blanket on page 59 . www.redagape.com.au Naomi Wilkinson Illustrator Naomi lives in Bristol with her partner, daughter and dog. Her beautiful designs are inspired by vintage children’s books, patterns…

MATERIALS Glass jars with screw-top lids Fine gravel Ground charcoal Small spoon Potting mix (with added sand) Paint brush Small shells, pebbles, stones and sand for decoration Water spray bottle Tiger tooth aloe (aloe juvenna) Banana cactus (sedum rubrotinctum) Nerve plant (fittonia albivensis) 01 Put a couple of handfuls of fine gravel in the bottom of a jar, pouring it in gradually. If the lids of your jars are air-tight, add a thin layer of ground charcoal to help reduce any odours. 02 Use the spoon to add a layer of potting mix to the bottom of the jar, covering the gravel. Make sure to hold the jar upright so the gravel stays in a flat layer. 03 Take the first plant from its pot and remove some of the…

HOW TO MAKE… A FAUX FUR STOLE MATERIALS White faux fur, 110 x 50cm (43 3/8 x 19¾") Lining fabric, 113 x 18cm (44 5/8 x7 1/8") Fabric dye (We used Dylon Fabric Dye in Navy Blue and Burlesque Red) Salt, 200g (8oz) Matching sewing thread Work some vintage glamour into even your most boring wardrobe combos with an easy faux fur stole. We’ll be draping ours over bare shoulders on nights out to keep the chill off. We’ve colour blocked panels coloured with blue and red dyes to create a graduated purple effect, but your end result will depend on both the dye used and the fabric itself. Faux fur absorbs dye very differently to cotton fabric, so you’re likely to end up with a different colour to that…

HOW TO MAKE… PAPER FLOWERS & A CONCRETE VASE MATERIALS For the flowers • Pink, coral, green and yellow crepe paper • Green floral wire, 22-gauge • Glue gun • Watercolour paint • Paint brush For the vase • Craft concrete • Large plastic bottle • Small plastic bottle • Craft knife • Petroleum jelly Forget waiting for peony season – start early this year with Lana’s vibrant oversized paper flowers. Contrasting lifelike paper peonies against a simple concrete vase, Lana’s given the trend for all things industrial a softer edge that feels both feminine and contemporary at the same time. Easy to make, and purse-friendly too, there are so many ways you can adapt this project. Add a drop of food colouring to the concrete mix before pouring to…

01 CHERITH HARRISON Drawing inspiration from Britain’s favourite animals, Cherith Harrison designs bright and bold gifts based on their characteristics.These are thoughtful and personal gifts for those who love to make a statement, or simply love animals! www.cherithharrison.com 02 EMILY ISLES Designer and Illustrator Emily Isles works for a digital studio in Glasgow and runs an online shop selling illustrated prints. Brighten your walls with her Italian and Scottish Inventions series. www.emilyisles.bigcartel.com 03 SMALL STORIES Small Stories is the home of the creative work of Gabrielle Reith. Every piece of work tells a story. Illustrations become jewellery, home décor, apparel and other unique design items. www.g-r-a.co.uk/small 04 CLAIRE BARCLAY DRAWS Claire makes a selection of products, including cards, totes and jewellery. All inspired by her Scottish heritage, they feature quirky…

SEE YOU AT... A Most Curious Wedding Fair Creative brides-to-be wanting a wedding full of unique touches will love A Most Curious Wedding Fair. Taking place at The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, London, on 18-19th March, it’s the best place to find quirky, exciting suppliers for your big day. From dresses to décor, you’re sure to find plenty of wedspo. www.amostcurious weddingfair.co.uk Always wanted to be able to write beautifully-scripted cards and invites? Get your calligraphy skills up to scratch with a workshop at Quill London on Sunday 5th March. www.quilllondon.com Learn the basics of weaving on a lap loom with Lucy Davidson of Peas & Needles. Taking place at The Maltings, Farnham, on 18th March, it’s a great introduction to one of 2017’s biggest craft trends. www.peasandneedles.co.uk If…

HOW TO MAKE… A CORK PURSE MATERIALS Cork leather, 12.5 x 20.5cm (5 x 8 1/8")• Cotton lawn fabric, 12.5 x 20.5cm (5 x 8 1/8") (we used Dashwood Studios Cotton Candy in Tulip) Fabric marker Rotary cutter Ruler Cutting mat Binding clips One pair of heart-shaped Kam Snaps, 1cm ( 8diameter Snap pliers Cork accessories are set to be everywhere this year, so get ahead of the game with this mini purse, hard-wearing enough to survive even the most junk-filled handbag. Lined in bright floral fabric to add a splash of colour, you could also use it as a business card holder, impressing people with both your skills and your craft smarts at the same time. Lou sourced her cork leather from www.frameyourbag.etsy.com. Once you’ve punched a hole in…

YOUR FREE GIFT  BY ZEENA SHAH PAGE 7 01 Press the wrong side (WS) of the printed fabric to remove any fold marks. Separate the embroidery hoop by loosening the screw and taking out the inner hoop, then place the fabric in between the two and press firmly together. Keeping the design central, adjust the fabric until it’s taut, then tighten the screw to secure the hoop. 02 Choose your first colour and thread the needle with all six strands. Starting from the WS, fill each space using satin stitch and the main image as a guide. 03 When finishing off a section of colour or a thread length, thread the loose end under a few stitches at the back to keep it tidy and prevent knots. 04…

Follow your heart... “I love embroidery, but I often find I don’t have time to sit down and focus on completing a pattern. Last year, my illustrated adult colouring book, Scandia, was published, and its simple line drawings inspired this idea of colouring in with embroidery thread. You don’t have to worry about following a pattern, and can fill the pre-printed motifs with any type of stitch or colour you like. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a busy day and find mindfulness through embroidery – you’ll finish this feeling so relaxed, and proud you stitched it in just one evening!” Zeena creates hand silk screen-printed textiles and accessories for the home. She also runs craft workshops inspiring others to get making, and is the illustrator behind Scandia:…

This spring, the most covetable interiors are all about touchable textures in muted shades. Style with a scattering of cushions and a chunky throw, then warm up your walls with a woven hanging.These beauts are all from Danish design house, Hubsch. www.hubsch-interior.com Irish artist Lola Donoghue creates abstract artwork that blends subtle shades with flashes of neon. If you like your art to have a orderly approach, try Katie Leamon’s geometric print. www.loladonoghue.com, www.katieleamon.com Sort your stuff into The Future Kept’s Sisal Baskets. Woven by African women’s cooperatives, they come in five sizes for maximum versatility. www.thefuturekept.com Continue to get hygge with it this spring by combining a cosy glow with macaroninspired pastels. Anthropologie’s Lollia boxed candles are just the thing. www.anthropologie.com Blush pink + geo design = style crush. Add…

HOW TO MAKE… A MINI SUITCASE MATERIALS • Rico Essentials Big in Neon Pink (26), Light Grey (02), Cream (01), Saffron (32) and Pink (45) • Plastic canvas, 5-count • Tapestry needle • White felt • White sewing thread • Matching sewing thread • Sewing needle • Bag handles • Buckle Pack your case – we’re off on an adventure! Whether you’re using Chloe Hardisty’s tapestry suitcase to store your craft bits and bobs or for transporting your marmalade sandwiches, the chunky yarn in bright shades is putting us in a spring frame of mind. Buy your bag handles from a craft store, or source a retro handbag from a charity shop and re-use the handles to give your bag a vintage look. You can also upcycle an old belt…

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HOW TO MAKE… A KNITTED HEADBAND MATERIALS Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift, 100% wool, 105m/25g per ball, two balls in Aqua (929) Scrap yarn 3mm (UK 11, US 2½) knitting needles 3mm (UK 10, US D/3) crochet hook (for provisional cast on) Stitch holders Tapestry needle TENSION 32 sts and 38 rows to 10cm (4") square over stocking stitch on 3mm needles ABBREVIATIONS (UK) st(s) stitches k knit p purl st st stocking stitch RS right side WS wrong side FINISHED SIZE Approx. 50cm (19¾") circumference, with stretch of a further 10cm (4") Say goodbye to dodgy hat hair with this easy-knit headband, ideal for those mornings when it’s still a bit chilly out, but not quite winter woollies weather. Worked in basic stocking stitch, you’ll only use knit and purl stitches…