Louise Le Grelle - Tricoter

Tricoter, pronounced (tree co tay) is French meaning 'to knit'. I have always enjoyed crafting, in particular knitting. I started knitting when I was 9, learning from my Mother as well as friends' mothers during the winter months.

My Grandmother was an amazing knitter and I was fortunate to inherit all her knitting needles, patterns and wool. Unfortunately she was never able to teach me as I was only seven when she passed away, but I have memories of her always busy working on projects. I enjoy using bright colours and various wool types including natural wool, possum, merino, alpaca, acrylic, bamboo and cotton blends to create clothing and accessories for babies and children.

My product range also includes toys, tea cosies and adult fashion accessories such as infinity scarves. Shopping for wool is always fun, trying to find a bargain and imagining what will be created from it. When I was young, I have memories of shopping with Mum at 'Mrs Popes' in central Christchurch, it was a haberdashery and wool shop which has since disappeared in the early 1990's. We would look in the bargain bins for balls of wool for small projects such as toys. Nowadays, when visiting other towns and cities in New Zealand and overseas, local wool shops are always on my itinerary. It is great to see knitting having a revival and no longer considered an 'old fashioned' hobby.

---