Month: September 2025

As we ponder the making of memories, let’s begin by taking a moment to think back to the good memories of our childhood. Were you by yourself or with others? Indoors or outdoors? What makes it a good memory? We can also stretch our minds back slightly less far and recall memories throughout the seasons of our adult years. These might be significant events, like getting married, starting a first job, graduating from a period of study or a special holiday. Or they might be the seemingly insignificant events, like a picnic with friends, watching your young children playing or a cosy meal where family and friends gathered together under one roof to catch up and celebrate life.

What made these memories special? While in some of them you may have been on your own, most will have involved others. They may have been times when you felt safe, loved and surrounded by people who you care about out and who care about you. It’s likely there will have been a big splash of beauty in them; the grandeur of a sunset, a delicious meal, a welcoming home or an ornate building. These may not have been your primary memory, but they will most probably have played a large part in how you felt about the event. Our souls yearn for beauty and it provides the backdrop to most of those warm and reassuring memories.

As crafters, you create a plethora of beautiful items which will go into homes and lives across the country this Christmas, providing little pockets of beauty in a day which might otherwise be relatively devoid of it: an item of jewellery, a soft and colourful scarf, some deliciously fragranced soap. Allow yourself to imagine what part these might play in creating the backdrop to a precious memory. Maybe the necklace might be worn on a first date which leads one day to a marriage and the beginning of a new family, maybe a weary mother will feel the warmth and softness of the scarf as she wraps up prior to heading out for a walk with all her adult children home for Christmas, or maybe the fragrance of the soap will bring back to mind a precious day spent with family for an elderly lady living alone.

If most of our precious memories include beauty and those we love, what better place to create some more in the month ahead than at a festive craft market? If you’re reading this and are new to the wonderful world of craft markets, simply Google craft market near me and choose one to attend. You might get further choice, with possibly some smaller and more local ones, by typing the same search words craft market near me into Facebook. Or you can do it the old-fashioned way and ask neighbours and friends for recommendations of markets they’ve enjoyed.

Once you’ve picked a market to visit, or maybe a few to give choice, enjoy deciding who you will invite to come with you! It’s a good opportunity for a girls’ day out, or perhaps an opportunity to meet with an adult child or older parent without the grandchildren. There are often food outlets, varying from tea and delicious home-made cakes at village hall fairs, through to high quality locally grown, reared and produced food outlets at the larger markets.

This is the time of year when Christmas markets are in full and merry swing. They exude festive cheer and anticipation in abundance and will for sure leave a magical impression in your memory bank. They are exciting for children with lots to see and hear and visiting the same one each year could become a family tradition.

Whatever market you go to, make sure you write your Christmas gift list beforehand as you will be spoilt for choice. At a time when Christmas shopping often piles up both debt and landfill, many are becoming more conscious of the way we spend during this season. What about challenging yourself to buy totally local, handcrafted gifts this year? Items are likely to be more expensive than their mass-produced counterparts, but they will invariably last longer, be made with more ethically sourced materials, and you will be supporting local businesses rather than pouring your pounds into a multinational entity. The crowds, heat and piped music of a large shopping centre just can’t compete with mooching around a craft market, chatting with the crafters and producers and then enjoying some tasty locally produced food when your basket is full. It’s fun to ponder over purchases with your shopping buddy and if you are with children, take a moment to pause and watch their faces light up as they in turn take in the festive sounds, smells and sights all around them. Remember to take a photo or two to remind you of a special day with loved ones.

If you are reading this as a crafter who sells at festive markets, you could tap into the whole theme of creating memories by thinking about creating some photo frames as stock items for Christmas gifts. Photo frames are traditionally made from wood, so this is a great opportunity for the woodworkers amongst you. However, there is plenty of room to add a twist to the theme with ceramic frames, quirky decoupage frames, fun floral crochet frames and frames made from driftwood and recycled materials. Let your creative juices flow for some great Christmas gifts in which special memories can be recorded and preserved.

So, in the midst of these hectic upcoming weeks, let’s get the word out! Craft markets are a wonderful opportunity to ring-fence some time with which to make precious memories with those you love. Look up craft fairs near me and plan a day out. Write your shopping list, ensure you have some extra cash for food and drink and enjoy browsing through an abundance of beautiful objects and some precious memories to store in your heart over the coming year.

Over the past 50 years, the way people connect—especially in Western countries—has shifted dramatically. In today’s fast-paced world, we’re often taught to stand on our own two feet, to be self-sufficient, and to strive for individual success. While there’s nothing wrong with independence, this shift has often come at the cost of community.

With longer commutes, suburban sprawl, family structures changing, and endless hours spent in front of screens, many of us are left feeling increasingly isolated. Traditional support networks are harder to find, and casual face-to-face interactions have been replaced by short messages and virtual chats. But even as these old social ties weaken, the need for real human connection hasn’t gone away. In fact, it’s probably stronger than ever.

Craft as a Catalyst for Community

Thankfully, a quiet yet powerful movement is underway—led by makers, artists, and creative entrepreneurs. These individuals are using their craft not only to express themselves but also to bring people together. Through collaborative art projects, community workshops, and group exhibitions, craft is re-emerging as a powerful force for rebuilding local ties.

A great example of this is the small town of Farnham in Surrey, which has become a shining light for how craft can transform a place and spark real community spirit. In 2020, Farnham was awarded the prestigious title of “World Craft Town”—the first town in England to receive the honour from the World Craft Council.

This wasn’t just a nod to its past but recognition of its vibrant present and its inspiring future. Farnham is built on clay-rich soil, and its roots in ceramics and traditional crafts go back centuries. But what makes Farnham special today is how it continues to place craft at the heart of its local identity.

Living Craft in Farnham

Walk through Farnham and you’ll see evidence of a thriving crafting culture everywhere. Pottery studios, galleries, independent shops, and creative workshops are tucked into nearly every street and alleyway. Home to the University for the Creative Arts (UCA)—whose alumni include the likes of Zandra Rhodes and Tracey Emin—the town has become a hub for emerging talent as well as established creatives.

Each October, Farnham hosts Craft Month, a town-wide celebration packed with exhibitions, workshops, open studios, and talks. Locals and visitors alike get the chance to see, buy, and make crafts. This month-long festival turns the town into a living, breathing celebration of community creativity.

One highlight is the Lantern Festival—taking place for the second time this year on Friday, October 31st. Inspired by the Celtic celebration of the end of the harvest, this light-filled evening brings together schools, faith groups, community clubs, and families in a procession of handmade lanterns. Participants purchase DIY lantern kits from the town council, craft their own glowing creation, and gather at Gostrey Meadow for an evening of live music and collective light.

From there, the community walks together to St Andrew’s Church, where all the lanterns are displayed as part of a large-scale communal art installation. It’s heartwarming and a true reminder that craft connects.

Planning to Attend a Community Craft Event?

Farnham sets a strong example—but you don’t need to live there to create the same spark in your own community. Whether you’re a solo artist thinking of opening your studio for the day or you’re planning to attend a craft workshop, exhibition, or pop-up market, now’s the perfect time to get involved in community craft.

But before you invite the public in, it’s important to make sure you’re covered—especially if you’re attending an event. This is where 1 day public liability insurance comes in.

Why You Need 1 Day Public Liability Insurance

Many crafters aren’t full-time business owners. You might only sell at the occasional market and that’s why 1 day public liability insurance is ideal—it gives you flexible, affordable cover just for the days you need it.

This kind of insurance protects you in case someone claims they’ve been injured or had property damaged as a result of your event, actions, or even something as simple as a trip hazard at your table. Whether you’re opening your own space, or attending an event in a hired venue or a community centre, 1 day public liability insurance ensures you’re not financially exposed if something goes wrong.

At Craft Insurance, we understand the unique needs of makers and artists. That’s why we offer tailored short-term insurance options for crafters. Just give us a call, and we’ll help you get the right cover without overcomplicating things.

Let Craft Create the Spark

So whether you’re joining Farnham’s lantern-lit procession or planning to take part in a creative get-together in your hometown, remember that every craft event—big or small—has the power to reconnect people. Through shared creativity, communities can rebuild, friendships can form, and the everyday can become extraordinary.

And when you’re ready to share your creativity with the world, don’t forget to protect your hard work and your community with the peace of mind that 1 day public liability insurance provides.

The face of knitting and crocheting has changed over the years. Both of these handicrafts have their roots in antiquity, but their history reveals a colourful story, one that people of all ages are now excited to be a part of. There has never been such a good time to get hooked!

So, for the uninitiated, what’s the difference between knitted and crocheted goods?

The main difference between the two is that knitted material stretches, so it’s more elastic than traditional woven fabric and much more elastic than crochet. This makes it suitable for anything that is meant to be form-fitting. For centuries, it’s been the main way of making socks, stockings, sweaters, gloves and hats, as it not only stretches well, but it doesn’t have large gaps between the stitches.

Crocheted garments, on the other hand, aren’t very stretchy, tend to be stiff, and often have gaps between the stitches. There are ways of crocheting that minimise these issues, but they tend to use very small stitches, so they wouldn’t be any faster than knitting, potentially slower. The general consensus is that knitting is better for wearables and crochet is better for household goods like blankets, stuffed toys, and pillow cases.

The origins of knitting

Because of its practical uses, knitting used to be a professional work for both men and women. By the seventeenth century, following the invention of the knitting machine, its location had largely moved from the rural areas to the big industrial cities. However, women still knitted at home to provide clothing for their families, and the reassuring picture we may have of an elderly, silver-haired woman sitting serenely in her rocking chair to the gentle accompaniment of the click of needles is undoubtedly one founded in truth. Knitting had a fresh resurgence during the war years, when women were encouraged to knit both for the war effort and to provide for their families. Younger women and girls joined them in force during these times, as, with rationing on clothes, it was a way to provide at least some semblance of fashion and new clothing.

The origins of crochet

Crocheting has taken a slightly different path through history, but has still come to a similar place. During the Irish potato famine, selling crocheted lace was one way near-starving families were able to raise money; those who emigrated then took these crocheting skills over to America. In the U.K., crocheting lace was also a way of raising money for rural families and was enjoyed as a pastime by the wealthier classes. It then went somewhat out of vogue but experienced a vibrant and colourful resurgence in the 1970s to 80s, trending in both clothing fashion and home decor.

Fifty years on from that, and we now see both knitting and crocheting being enjoyed by a new generation, mainly women and girls, but men are most certainly holding their own in this sphere too. This trend has been on the rise for some time, but the lockdowns during COVID also had a part to play. There was a time when fear and anxiety were high, and all the normal ways of dealing with these, eg meeting a friend for a coffee or going to the gym, were barred.

Working on a practical project provided a welcome change, and the completion of a beautiful, handmade product was a much-needed boost and sense of achievement. It was as if picking up these new skills helped to alleviate anxiety over uncontrollable environmental circumstances, because although you couldn’t make the pandemic go away, you could make a cool scarf or blanket instead!

While we are not living under those conditions anymore (fortunately), screen fatigue, isolation and anxiety are still evident in many of our lives. However, the good news is that knitting and crochet can provide an antidote for this problem by providing a means of getting together with others and building community, despite being apparently solitary pastimes! From wool sharing to meet-ups and shared projects, the rich social aspect of these pastimes can transform lives and build lasting connections.

Both knitting and crocheting involve rhythmic, repetitive actions which require a certain amount of concentration, but not so much that our minds cannot drift onto other topics, or we cannot hold a conversation and share life at the same time. Many keen knitters and crocheters report that sharing their projects and being part of a group has made their craft many times more enjoyable.

It’s time to cast on!

So, before you ask, here’s how you can get started!

This is by no means the only way, but Youtube is a reliable place to find free, instructional videos and it allows you to watch at a slower speed with video playback at 0.75× or 0.5×, which hands-on learners are going to find helpful. Why not check out the following YouTube channels?

Knitting

• Very Pink Knits
• Sheep & Stitch
• Knit With Hannah
• Roxanne Richardson & Ysolda

Crochet

• Bella Coco
• TL Yarn Crafts
• Happy Berry Crochet
• Marly Bird
• Hooked by Robin

Starter projects

It’s always a good idea to start with a simple beginner project, such as a scarf (for knitting) or a granny square blanket (for crochet). And, don’t be too hard on yourself – keep going even if you make mistakes. Learning tension, casting off, and stitch consistency takes time—it’s all part of the journey.

One day public liability insurance

If you are already selling your knitwear or crocheted goods and are interested in craft insurance, particularly one day public liability insurance, to sell or demonstrate your craft to others at fairs, just give us a call or drop us a line. Either Sam or Naomi will be here to answer your queries and work with you to ensure you get the best one-day public liability insurance for your needs. We look forward to hearing about your business initiatives!