Interview with Crystal from Purl & Hank
When I thought about the TRIA LAB, I decided that I would love to add a collab partner into the mix, who creates knitting jewelry. After all, it’s one more way of holding your shawls in place.
After a little research, I found Crystals shop Purl & Hank and fell head over heels in love with her equally beautiful products and photos of it.
I asked her if she would like to be a part of the TRIA LAB, she said yes, sent me a bunch of her shawl cuffs, and was so kind to answer some questions. I am delighted and feel so honored.
Enjoy our interview!
Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about you.
Hi there, I'm Crystal. Owner/Maker at Purl & Hank. I call Winnipeg, Canada my home though I was born in small town in Saskatchewan. I am a mother to 3 wonderful and smelly young men and wife to a busy Entrepreneur. I’ve worked as a hairstylist and a Wedding photographer before starting up Purl & Hank. I love handmade gifts and I prefer to be the one to be making them. I love dogs, plants, and high-speed go-karting. You can usually find me in comfy clothes with disheveled hair though I do love a good dress-up day.
How did you learn to knit?
As a teen, I learned to crochet, nothing fancy but I made a few blankets. It wasn’t until my kids were about 4,5 and 6 and the adrenaline of mothering had worn off that I found myself in a depressive hole that I picked up knitting through my LYS. That was nearly 9 yrs ago. While I still struggle with my mental health, knitting is my go-to mood stabilizer.
How did you come up with the idea for Purl & Hank?
Being a stay-at-home mother, I was constantly trying to justify the money I was spending on my crafts; as so many stay-at-home moms do with their hobbies. In 2019, a few ladies from my knitting group were looking for alternative solutions for keeping their shawls in place. They were finding that the traditional Shawl pins were damaging their knits. Coincidentally, I had just finished up a leather clutch-making workshop and had all the tools and scrap leather to see what I could fashion up for them. There were many failed attempts before the first tiny belt came along. The name Purl & Hank came shortly after as a suggestion from my knitting teacher's husband. And I fell in love with it.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Well, I enjoy it all… a lot actually. I love finding a cozy spot to sit and listen to a good audiobook while I stitch each piece, it often mimics the peace I get while I knit except I am getting paid for doing it.
What is important for you at Purl & Hank?
With all things in my life, it is important for me to always try and do my best. I reuse old packaging when I have a supply of it, when I don't; I use recyclable/compostable mailers and paper packaging. Sometimes I use scraps of fabric as a replacement for packing peanuts or to use as a pretty bow. Great customer service is very important to me as well. As is giving back to my favorite Mental Health charity organizations.
Please tell us a bit about the products in your shop.
The products I carry are mostly my own creations, though I have started to bring in new items from other local artisans. I specifically enjoy working with other stay-at-home Mothers who are trying to grow their home businesses. I carry a wide variety of shawl belts as well as some tool kits and wearables such as pockets and elbow patches
I laser cut all of my leather goods for precision and speed, I then clean them up, hand stitch them, and apply some mink oil to finish them off.
If you would have all the time, energy, and money… What would you add to your portfolio?
Time, energy, and money. What great things to have as an entrepreneur. Hmmm, I have many ideas. One of them is to expand into a drop-in maker space. A space where crafters could gather to create and feed off of each other. A place where there would be a craft tool rental/exchange program. Good quality crafting tools can be expensive and some only get used a few times a year. I know the benefits that come with learning a new craft but sometimes the price tag that accompanies it stifles people's ability to even begin.
If you would be a knitting technique – which one would you be and why?
Tinking. For sure. Making mistakes is part of life and especially in starting a business. While I am pretty hard on myself when they happen, I know the lessons I learn going back to correct them are pretty invaluable.
What do you enjoy knitting the most?
I’m a process knitter so for me, it's more about getting lost in the rhythm than what the actual item is. I often choose patterns that are simple so I can find a good flow and I almost always choose a yarn that is baby soft with earthy or natural colors.
Please have a look at Crystal’s beautiful products
at her shop Purl & Hank!
Wanna help us support Crystal’s
favorite mental health organization?
Donate here, if you can: http://www.mooddisordersmanitoba.ca/Donate/
