The Press // Knitting and crochet, the new cool

The Press, July 5th 2017:

Over wine and yarn, twelve Christchurch women learned how to crochet at an "in-demand" crochet evening this week held by Plump and Co at the Christchurch Exchange.

Mainly female-dominted, the workshops were a chance for novice crocheters to be lost in the yarn together while the teachers made their way around the room assisting and offering kind advice to panicked newbies.

"It's really about getting women together and getting creating," said Plump and Co founder Jacinta McLaughlin.

"They all come in as strangers and people start talking to each other and become friends."

Plump and Co workshops kicked off three years ago when McLaughlin, a textile design graduate, started the Hamilton-based company, and began holding knitting and craft workshops all over the country.

"Everyone achieves something. It's a mindful experience.

"It's totally for all ages, anyone can do it. We encourage everyone to come," she said.

Following interest from knitters, McLaughlin turned to Instagram sensation Pony McTate, a crochet designer to take on crochet workshops with her across the country this month.

Two years ago, former lawyer and new mum McTate picked up crochet, learning from Youtube videos and her mother's old craft books from the 70s. From there she turned her new hobby into a career.

"I got really into it," she said. "It's quite wonderful."

McLaughlin and McTate will be travelling Australia throughout August, taking the workshops on tour.