Featured Artist - Emma Baker

Specialising in hand dyed yarn and woven textiles, Salisbury based Emma Baker is a life-long knitter and the owner of SpireCrafts.

Over the past 10 years Emma has been spinning and weaving her own textiles, which she has then used to make a wide range of accessories and clothing - from scarves and shawls to cufflinks, bowties and more.

You can see Emma's fantastic creations over on the SpireCrafts Etsy shop.

Q&A

What is your craft? (Spinning, felting etc.)

I love colour and textiles and enjoy dyeing, spinning, felting, knitting and weaving - all hobbies which allow me to combine my love of painting with wool.

Many of the fibres I use are either hand spun and plied on my Ashford spinning wheel or hand dyed. Both techniques allow me to make totally original fibres. Yarns are then knitted or woven on either my Ashford rigid heddle loom or Lervad counterbalance floor loom.

How long have you been a craft enthusiast?

I have enjoyed craft since I was a small child following in the footsteps of my parents. My mother would sew and knit our clothes as children and I have fond memories of both of my parents setting up and using a knitting machine which was used for some years to mixed effect.

From an early age I would sew and knit but it is only in the last 10 years that I have started to spin and weave my own textiles which have been used for making accessories and items for clothing. No one is short of a scarf in my home!

What do you enjoy most about your craft?

Colour is really important to me. Recently I have tried to develop a better understanding of how colours work together, especially in a woven textile. Studying blended fibres, designs of artists and the colours found in nature have given me an improved understanding of the use of colour. I love the activity of creating and the relaxation that comes from being emerged in a practical activity.

How long have you been a WOW customer?

8 years.

What do you like most about the company?

Terrific service. Orders are dispatched quickly and arrive promptly - opening a box of fibres for spinning or felting is like opening a box of treasure which for me usually contains brightly coloured, soft and comfortable fibres.

What is your favourite fibre?

Merino wool is the fibre I use most. However I also love using bamboo which is a warm but light fibre with a sheen which is beautiful when spun or woven.

What is your favourite breed of sheep?

Merino.

Is there anything you would like to see on the WOW website?

The site is fabulous with a huge range of fibres. I would like to see more information on the origin of the wools and fibres, perhaps the region and country of origin of the wools and fibres.

Is there anything else that you would like WOW to sell?

Sock knitting needles and perhaps skeins of undyed sock yarn (Merino 80% and nylon 20%).

Do you have a top tip for your fellow crafters?

Take the opportunity to meet and talk to others who do crafts. It is a great way to learn.

Tell us a bit more about yourself

Having created felted pictures and accessories, the gift of a second hand spinning wheel 5 years ago allowed me to use the same fibres to create beautiful yarns. More recently I have learnt to weave on a rigid heddle and floor loom.

I have produced unique gifts for family and friends using hand spun or hand dyed yarns. I am fortunate to have a lovely circle of friends who share my interest in making things out of wool. My family are terrifically tolerant of my hobbies and accepting of the fact that on a daily basis they will see stray fibres scattered around our home.

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