KAT GOLDIN
Designer and blogger Kat Goldin is proud to call the Highlands home and shares her love of farm life, sheep and teaching crochet…
When we first laid eyes on our farm at the edge of the Highlands in Scotland, I composed a list of things in my head that I wanted for the space: One – chickens, two – dogs, three – to run workshops. The first two items were sorted almost immediately, followed by ducks, geese, peacocks, goats and, most recently, sheep. But the final item – running workshops – was slower to get going. The designated studio space sat unused for years, becoming a dumping ground for the detritus of farm life. Rather than the full house of people learning to make things, I would sit alone, crocheting on my sofa – comfortable, but aware that it wasn’t quite what I wanted to be doing.
RESTING THE HOOKS
In March, I decided to take a sabbatical from design. I’ve always had a bit of an odd relationship with crocheting. My process was always one where I was trying to recreate the final photo in my head. I love the way light plays on the texture of crochet. I love the supporting of small, often women-led, businesses. I love finding out about how yarn is made and dyed and now even doing it myself. I love pulling together beautiful publications, and above all, I love getting people to make things.
In over seven years, I’ve designed over 350 items across books, magazines and independent projects. I found that I was tired and losing the joy that used to (and should!) come with sitting down with a hook, some wool and a good idea. It became about juggling deadlines and taking on projects purely for financial and time needs. The tricky cycle of deadline-based income is a hard one to break out of. Passion projects fell by the wayside and I was left not enjoying my crochet time as much as I did before.
BIG DECISIONS
So, I sat down with my business partner, Joanne, and asked her if she would be happy to take over the design work for The Crochet Project, while I focused on growing our retreats, as well as paying more attention to our business, which has grown with every year. I turned down a two-book deal and a
“Making with a sheep on my lap has become remarkably normal these days.”
number of other projects and really started to think about what I want to do with my time, my skills and my space.
A LOVE OF TEACHING
Digging deeply under what it is I love about crochet, I discovered that above and beyond everything else, it is teaching people to make things that brings me the most fulfilment. In a world that is increasingly intangible and virtual, getting people making – in person – is the most amazing antidote. Having spent so long sending out designs into the ether, to help people in the same room make something has been tremendous. During the large snowfall earlier this year, when Scotland’s shops ran out of bread, my students were getting stuck in and making their own. Watching the development of a beginner crocheter who had come to one of my workshops move from wonky stitches to making lovely gifts for their family, filled me with such joy.
I have often said that Scotland is one of the great loves of my life, and there is an unbelievable pleasure in being able to bring people into this space, to show them what we do and to give them the skills to go out and make things for themselves. They come to learn crochet, but get a milking demonstration, a loaf of sourdough and the simple joy of taking a step out of their everyday. New beginnings for all of us, sort of. Follow Kat’s blog at www.slugsontherefridgerator.com. You can also sign up to one of her crochet workshops to learn how to make exquisite pieces using natural yarns.