Woollyhatz
Based all the way in Scotland, Ceci makes beautiful hand crochet beanies, head bands, scarves, wrist warmers, hair accessories and more, as well as machine knitted bobble hats all with a delightful Scottish theme. Look out for gorgeous blends of colours, motifs of sheep, mountains, thistles, Nessie, celtic designs and more.
Website: www.woollyhatz.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Woollyhatz
Instagram: www.instagram.com/woollyhatz/
Website: www.woollyhatz.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Woollyhatz
Instagram: www.instagram.com/woollyhatz/
Interview With A Maker
Name/Business
Woollyhatz. My name is Ceci Alderton
Describe your art/craft?
Machine knitwear and hand crochet – sometimes on the same Woollyhat!
How long have you been creating? How did you learn your craft or were you self-taught?
My sister taught me to crochet when I was ten years old – and that was nearly –ahem – fifty years ago.
I bought my first knitting machine in 1983, taught myself to use it and when I was made redundant a few months later started to take orders in order to pay it off. One thing led to another and I started my first business – ‘Blackhouse Knitwear’ in 1986. This was my full-time occupation until 2001 when, after having knitted in the region of 100,000 hats I decided it was time for a change.
What are your favourite art/craft 'tools of the trade'?
Clover ‘armor’ crochet hooks make crocheting for long periods much less painful!
Where is your creative space?
I do my crochet work at home, either watching my Call Ducks playing on the pond in the garden or while watching TV. I have a workshop at ‘Dunoon Men’s Shed’ for my knitting machines.
What do you watch or listen to when you're creating?
At the moment I am addicted to the Spanish series ‘Money Heist’/’La Casa de Papel’ on Netflix. Fortunately I read extremely quickly so I can cope with the subtitles in between crocheting!
What's your best selling product?
My machine knitted ‘Soay’ hat featuring sheep against a mountain backdrop. I had an order of 400 of these to go to Japan some years back and loathed the sight of them once it was completed!
Favourite thing you've ever created? Do you still have it, or did you sell/gift it?
I crocheted a long shawl while studying for a Permaculture Design course in Faralya in southern Turkey in 2011 and it is still used almost daily. It has travelled with me all over Europe.
Random fact about yourself?
I was on Series 12 of ‘Coach Trip’ with my travel buddy Denise. We lasted for seven days until I got food poisoning in Perpignan. I felt it was inappropriate that they wanted to film me projectile vomiting (I thought it would detract from the dignity required of a funeral celebrant) and we left without being able to say goodbye to our fellow travellers (who we got on fine with and are still in touch with via Facebook).
I also work as a Celebrant and conduct Civil Funerals, legal wedding services (in Scotland only, the law is different up here) and child naming ceremonies. Details on www.ecospirit.co.uk
What new craft would you love to try?
I’ve tried lots of crafts in my time including upholstery and basket making – so I really would like to make my own willow coffin!
Where can customers buy your products?
I trade through Craft Fairs – though as I am based in beautiful Argyll in the West of Scotland this will be my first one south of the border! My work is available through my website www.woollyhatz.co.uk and you can get more details through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Woollyhatz/
I am part of a newly established craft co-operative – I-Conic Crafts – who will shortly be opening a craft shop in Drymen, which is in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
I also exhibit as part of ‘Cowal Open Studios.’
www.cowalopenstudios.co.uk/artist-profile.php?id=338
Give a shout-out to a fellow artist or crafter you admire!
I was born and brought up in Sudbury and still have family in the area (who I will be visiting before and after the fair in Southwold). I greatly admire Soo Smart of Double S Design of Ipswich who I met way back in 1971 on our first day at Sudbury Girls High School and we have been best mates ever since. She does website design and was responsible for my fab new Woollyhatz logo.
Name/Business
Woollyhatz. My name is Ceci Alderton
Describe your art/craft?
Machine knitwear and hand crochet – sometimes on the same Woollyhat!
How long have you been creating? How did you learn your craft or were you self-taught?
My sister taught me to crochet when I was ten years old – and that was nearly –ahem – fifty years ago.
I bought my first knitting machine in 1983, taught myself to use it and when I was made redundant a few months later started to take orders in order to pay it off. One thing led to another and I started my first business – ‘Blackhouse Knitwear’ in 1986. This was my full-time occupation until 2001 when, after having knitted in the region of 100,000 hats I decided it was time for a change.
What are your favourite art/craft 'tools of the trade'?
Clover ‘armor’ crochet hooks make crocheting for long periods much less painful!
Where is your creative space?
I do my crochet work at home, either watching my Call Ducks playing on the pond in the garden or while watching TV. I have a workshop at ‘Dunoon Men’s Shed’ for my knitting machines.
What do you watch or listen to when you're creating?
At the moment I am addicted to the Spanish series ‘Money Heist’/’La Casa de Papel’ on Netflix. Fortunately I read extremely quickly so I can cope with the subtitles in between crocheting!
What's your best selling product?
My machine knitted ‘Soay’ hat featuring sheep against a mountain backdrop. I had an order of 400 of these to go to Japan some years back and loathed the sight of them once it was completed!
Favourite thing you've ever created? Do you still have it, or did you sell/gift it?
I crocheted a long shawl while studying for a Permaculture Design course in Faralya in southern Turkey in 2011 and it is still used almost daily. It has travelled with me all over Europe.
Random fact about yourself?
I was on Series 12 of ‘Coach Trip’ with my travel buddy Denise. We lasted for seven days until I got food poisoning in Perpignan. I felt it was inappropriate that they wanted to film me projectile vomiting (I thought it would detract from the dignity required of a funeral celebrant) and we left without being able to say goodbye to our fellow travellers (who we got on fine with and are still in touch with via Facebook).
I also work as a Celebrant and conduct Civil Funerals, legal wedding services (in Scotland only, the law is different up here) and child naming ceremonies. Details on www.ecospirit.co.uk
What new craft would you love to try?
I’ve tried lots of crafts in my time including upholstery and basket making – so I really would like to make my own willow coffin!
Where can customers buy your products?
I trade through Craft Fairs – though as I am based in beautiful Argyll in the West of Scotland this will be my first one south of the border! My work is available through my website www.woollyhatz.co.uk and you can get more details through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Woollyhatz/
I am part of a newly established craft co-operative – I-Conic Crafts – who will shortly be opening a craft shop in Drymen, which is in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
I also exhibit as part of ‘Cowal Open Studios.’
www.cowalopenstudios.co.uk/artist-profile.php?id=338
Give a shout-out to a fellow artist or crafter you admire!
I was born and brought up in Sudbury and still have family in the area (who I will be visiting before and after the fair in Southwold). I greatly admire Soo Smart of Double S Design of Ipswich who I met way back in 1971 on our first day at Sudbury Girls High School and we have been best mates ever since. She does website design and was responsible for my fab new Woollyhatz logo.
