THE PETAL SHED PROFILE
Hidden in the Cotswolds, you’ll nd a creative hub, inspired by a love of orals and the stunning surroundings
For Hattie Risdale, what began as a love of crafting soon bloomed into a flourishing crochet business. Operating under the name ‘The Petal Shed’, Hattie sells her wonderful hooked creations and patterns, as well as running workshops and one-on-one crochet lessons. “The Petal Shed was always going to be a little hobby on the side where I crocheted things and sold them,” she tells us. “I never thought I’d end up designing original items – and that people would actually want to make my designs themselves! It’s such a thrill to see.” So, where did Hattie’s creative journey begin?
Having always loved arts and crafts, many of Hattie’s childhood memories consist of making and decorating things with her mum, giving old objects a new purpose by sprucing them up, and finding treasures in charity shops. “I’ve tried my hand at most crafts,” Hattie explains. “My husband used to despair as I’d find another one and buy all the books and paraphernalia associated with it. I came across crochet unexpectedly on holiday about five years ago. It really was a light-bulb moment! I was hooked and set about teaching myself, in my own unique way.”
It was only around a year after joining Instagram, when her ever-growing number of followers started requesting Hattie’s designs, that she decided she ought to learn how to follow patterns the traditional way, so she could write hers in a style others would be able to follow easily – “I was doing things completely the wrong way round!”
NOT YOUR AVERAGE SHED
It was then that The Petal Shed was born. “Primarily I’m designing, but I also teach, when time permits. Workshops are definitely something I’d like to do more of in the future – it’s lovely spending time with like-minded people – and lots of yarn!”
Based at her beautiful cottage in the Cotswolds, Hattie’s workshops are very small, allowing them to be very personal; a space where she gets to know everyone who attends. “Looking forward, I’d like to offer more workshops. It would also be nice to travel around, so everyone can join in.”
When she’s busy creating, Hattie has a dedicated workroom within her home, but she prefers to take her work around the house with her. “I seem to follow the light, and the warmth! We’ve got a big kitchen table, so I’m often in there, particularly after school so I can be with my girls. In the evenings, especially in the winter, I’ll be on the sofa in front of the fire.”
Hattie’s home, where she lives with her husband and children, is a reflection of her
creativity. It’s a magpie’s nest, full of mismatched treasures, bright colours and lots of fresh flowers. “There is crochet wherever you look. Even though I’m lucky to have a workroom, it tends to spill out to every room in the house and onto most surfaces – my husband and girls despair!”
FLORALLY INSPIRED
Luckily, inspiration is in abundance for Hattie, who discovers it in even the smallest of places in her everyday surroundings. “Colours and flowers are probably the biggest inspiration to me. This year I’ve been growing my own flowers and have tried dahlias for the first time. They inspired my Dancing Dahlias blanket,” she explains. “That, and the pretty aqua nail varnish I happened to be wearing at the time.”
Hattie’s creativity stemmed from a childhood growing up in the Cotswolds, combined with parents who consistently encouraged her to get into nature and truly be a kid. “Both my parents are very creative. My dad is a master stonemason, so design has always been a huge part of my life.”
She went on to study photography at art college (“which comes in useful every day with my work!”), before training to be a florist. “There is nothing better than being surrounded by flowers all day,” she says. “Well, on second thoughts, maybe if you’re surrounded by flowers and crochet! As a real craft connoisseur, who’s tried her hand at every artsy thing you can think of, what exactly was it with crochet that made it stick? “I really don’t know,” Hattie ponders. “I was just very focused on learning. For the first two years there wasn’t a day I didn’t pick up my hook, whereas with other crafts, I’d always get bored and give up.
“Crochet also acts as a kind of therapy for me – I’ve always been a worrier, but I’m much more relaxed since learning to crochet. Even when I’m not designing, I try to have a mindless project on the go, one that I can do without looking , while watching Netflix – that’s why the granny square will always be a favourite.”
KEEPING UP
Running a business can be tiring work and it’s often difficult to recognise when to stop and take a break. “I guess time and willpower are a big challenge – you can only crochet so fast! I have lots of ideas bubbling around my head and I have to really shout at myself to not keep starting new projects, which I know all crocheters struggle with. The bags under my eyes are ever present – it’s so easy to sit up late just making ‘one more square’, which turns into 10!
“Also, the tech side of running a business is a challenge – I’m lucky to have a sister and two daughters to help me.” That being said, having a true passion for her work always manages to outweigh any difficulties that may arise. “Getting to play with yarn and do the thing I love all day is pretty awesome. I’ve always got my yarn and hook with me – it’s a great stress reliever and keeps me calm (unless I’ve got a deadline!).”
What’s next for this budding crochet business? “There are lots of ideas in the pipeline – patterns, kits and inspiration colour packs are what I’m working on now, ready for the Christmas rush. Also, there’ll be more workshops in 2019 – check out my website for all of the details. It’s all very exciting… I can’t wait to see what the future holds.” Nor can we!
Written by Colette Earley
“CROCHET ACTS AS A KIND OF THERAPY FOR ME; SINCE LEARNING, I’M MUCH MORE RELAXED”