Nicki Trench is the author of a great number of brilliant knitting and crochet books, a craft workshop teacher and a columnist. We caught up with Nicki to hear about her two latest books, Color Block Knits and Crochet Stashbusters!
You’ve written a number of fantastic craft books and have worked as a crafter full time for some years now. Can you tell us about your craft career so far?
It all started out as a hobby and a knit night with a few friends. At the time I couldn’t find any yarn shops nearby and there were no online yarn shops, the internet boom was just starting, so for purely selfish reasons I set up my own internet company so that I could have access to yarns easily, online shop Laughing Hens and yarn brand Rooster Yarns.
I started writing craft books a few years into that and then eventually moved on from Laughing Hens and Rooster to concentrate entirely on writing craft books, teaching crafts and writing columns and features for craft magazines.
How did the idea for Crochet Stashbusters come about?
As crocheters, we always have yarn left over and it takes up so much space around the house - even whole rooms! So, I thought it would be a good idea to come up with some great ideas on how to use up our spare yarn.
What are some of your go-to projects when you have yarn leftovers?
Definitely cushions. I find that cushions made out of wool tend to have a shelf life and they need replacing every year or so - especially after they have spent the summer in the garden.
Do you have a favourite yarn that you like to work with?
I tend to work with Debbie Bliss yarns. We both seem to have the same taste for colour. Some ranges of yarns just don’t seem to get the shades quite right and they can look a bit off. Colour is terribly important in my work and so I love Debbie’s yarns – mainly the Rialto and Cashmerino ranges.
Do you have a favourite project from your book, Color Block Knits?
I really like the Bobble Blanket and the Salcombe Shawl. The Bobble Blanket is a really lovely, cosy stitch and the Salcombe Shawl has really beautiful colours.
Aside from crafting, what is your favourite way to pass the time?
I have a very non-crafting hobby. I dance Argentinean Tango. It’s a good way of completely switching off and it gets my body moving. The trouble with working with crafts is it can make you sit for long periods of time. So I dance and travel frequently with that. I also do Kundalini Yoga twice a week, which is a very powerful and meditative yoga, and that keeps my body moving too.
Are you working on anything new at the moment?
I’m working on too many projects at once at the moment. I’m busy making cushions because mine are looking a bit past it an I’m also busy making a baby blanket and cardigan because I have another grandchild on the way. I’m trying to create a new design for a baby blanket that I haven’t done before.
You can find out more about Nicki over on her lovely new website and on Twitter. Check out her latest books, Color Block Knits and Crochet Stashbusters.