Makers and Knitters – Julie Arkell and Stephen West at Loop

Whimsical, thoughtful and charming, Julie Arkell’s work gives us a moment to reflect on the magic of making. After the success of her exhibition ‘Away’ at Ruthin Craft Centre last year, we’ve just had whole flock of Julie’s creatures come to visit. Carefully handmade from papier mâché with homely knitted outfits and embroidered details, each has their own personality and story.

Words and phrases inspire Julie to create her figures, and snatches of a narrative are captured in her embroidered handwriting on aprons and outfits.

Loop has been hosting Julie’s workshops since we were in our original shop in Cross Street almost 10 years ago. In these classes, students start with an unadorned papier mâché character and Julie shares her inspiration and her methods to make ears, hats, pinnys, skirts, trousers, scarves and flowers.

Always popular, we currently only have two spaces left on her 11th October workshop. Please give the shop a call if you’d like to book.

To accompany Julie’s recent exhibition we have the book ‘Away‘, a monograph allowing a little window into her creative process and artistic outcomes. The perfect partner to ‘Home‘, which again was released in conjunction with her exhibition of the same name.

Speaking of inspirational wool folk, don’t forget Stephen West is visiting Loop this weekend! Some of you were lucky enough to grab a place on his now sold out classes- but if you didn’t why not pop down this Sunday 10th May for the fabulous trunk show? Including samples from his Besties KAL using Brooklyn Tweed, Stephen will be signing books and showing off shawls from 4pm- 5pm. See you there!

Happy knitting!