I wanted to share something I’ve been working on, and also say this clearly first… nothing is changing in We Love Wool Club 💛 This space is still for all of us, for knitting, crochet, chat, sharing what we’re making, and everything we already have here. I have set up a new space over on Patreon called Samantha J Hill Studio, but it’s something a bit different. It’s more focused on my own creative work, so my paintings, patterns, and the process behind how those two connect. A lot of what I’m working on at the moment starts with a painting and slowly turns into a pattern, and Patreon is where I’m sharing more of that behind-the-scenes. If that side of things interests you, you’re very welcome to come and have a look: https://www.patreon.com/c/samanthajhillstudio?vanity=samanthajhillstudio But genuinely, if you’re happy here, nothing changes at all. Also, I know a few of you have asked about more videos — I will be adding more knitting and crochet videos as soon as I get a minute, so those are still coming 😊 Sam x

Hey all, I need a couple of testers for my Layered Lines Shawl. It is colour work but only uses knit, purl, and yarn overs. Let me know if you are up for testing x

As part of my MA I am creating a sustainable creative practice / career as an artist & knitwear designer. I had been avoiding sharing my why here and other places because it felt uncomfortable. But I have realised through my MA that actually what I want won't happen unless I do share. I have knitted since I went to university as it was part of my degree and just loved it. But then after that over the years I have used knitting & crochet as part of helping my mental health as I know a lot of you are doing too. This is where it has become the forefront in the last 18 months and why I decided to do an MA. So as my final project for my MA I am creating 12 pieces of art and 12 patterns that are inspired by moments I experienced in the last 12 months before and after my mum passed away. I cared for my mum for 10plus years and I would often knit/crochet/draw when I was at hospital appointments with her and especially in the last 8 weeks of her life as there was a lot of sitting around and honestly awkwardness. As part of my MA I am exploring the connection between knitting, grief and nature. How it opened up conversations with people and how it helped me cope. So each painting is from one of those moments. For example the Saltburn Shawl (il add photos) was from a trip me and some of my family had to the beach when they were visiting my mum in the last few weeks. It wasn't a trip to have fun etc more just a break from the pain. Some fresh sea air and a chance to chat and laugh for an hour. I painted the painting below after that trip and then designed the shawl from it. All 12 patterns will be blankets, scarves or shawls because they all wrap around oyu and create that warm hug that we all need when going through something like that. I opened this community because I love encouraging others to knit & crochet. I have seen the benefits of it first hand and want to share that. Also lets face it I have a slight obsession with wool too so being able to talk about wool with others all day is a dream lol.

For my MA and my future designs I'm really interested to find out if you as buyers of patterns are interested in the inspiration.story behind the patterns your buying?

Firstly, I really appreciate your help with this for my MA research ❤️ I found it super interesting what you were all saying about the story behind the patterns and it was super helpful. I am trying to work out if the art work I am creating to be able to then create my patterns will be apart of the selling process of the patterns. So will I just include an image and short paragraph within the printed pattern. But more so would people buying the patterns be interested in then buying prints? I would love to hear your thoughts?