Louise Glasscoe

I have been living in the High Peak since 1993, although I spent my early life in the north east, until the age of 19, when I moved to Kingston Upon Thames to study French and English. I learned to knit when I was 5 years old, by successfully decoding knitting patterns from 1960's Women's Weekly magazines in order to create clothes for my dolls. I learned to crochet when I was 11 years old. Throughout my childhood and adolescence I made many knitted and crocheted items, including fair-isle cardigans, cable jumpers, gloves, cushion covers, rugs, tea-cosies, dolls, chair-backs, scarves, doilies, hats and shawls. Having applied all the skills and knowledge I have acquired over many years, I have created a range of unique clothing and accessory designs, as well as jewellery and rug-work, often using recycled materials. I generally use natural fibres and innovative techniques to hand crochet and knit clothing and accessories, including bridal wear: my designs are unique, labour-intensive and hand-made. I use buttons and beads, often recycled, to create modern, eye-catching jewellery, sometimes using odd combinations of materials such as silk cord, washers and rubber. I also crochet flower brooches and spider brooches, using crochet cotton, cotton yarn, and wool, and I have used a latch hook to make wall-hangings, or rather pictures, on a hessian background, which are hand-cut and resemble rugs. I am planning on creating a range of rug-work, using a latch hook, and other innovations, to make cushion covers, curtains and floor mats. I have covered wooden boxes with felt-work which have been favourably commented on at craft and art and design fairs. In the near future I am planning on creating lampshades, using a variety of materials, and bridal wear, perhaps using fabrics as well as yarn. I offer a bespoke service.