With craft making becoming increasingly popular, the picturesque village of Hythe, Hampshire, is a hub of creativity. Suppliers and experts are on hand to help unlock the secrets to make your own masterpieces at home, and all within the centre of Hythe.
Before embarking on the expense of taking up a new craft, it is a good idea to take part in a taster workshop. The joy of a workshop is two-fold. First, it’s fun to try things out as a group. Second, if you decide it isn’t for you, then you’ve established this before the expense of buying tools and equipment.
Quilting
Located in Hythe Marina, there is a quilters’ paradise in New Forest Fabrics which stocks beautiful fabrics, wadding and haberdashery and everything needed for a quilting project. The team has recently expanded the range to include dressmaking fabrics and run small friendly classes for all abilities where you can learn patchwork, quilting, bag making and general craft sewing.
Knitting
With wool shops few and far between, it is a joy to find such an array of gorgeous wool in Hythe Wools with knowledgeable staff always happy to help often with impromptu demonstrations. With knitting a “trending craft”, Hythe is in the forefront of with two “Yarn Bombs” mysteriously appearing overnight both raising considerable amounts for charity.
Jewellery
The lovely little jewellery making shop Luis Liu – an old English name for the Rowan tree and aptly means ‘for the delight of the eye’ – stocks beautiful semi-precious jewellery as well as beads, findings and tools to create your own. With jewellery making courses for all levels of students, who have the use of tools, and create their own jewellery to take home!
Finally, Unique Retail, a wonderful shop full of handmade products made by local crafts people and artists, offering a wide range of gifts with a difference; each bespoke item handmade rather than mass-produced. The concept aims to bring consumers back on the high street, and to buy from small businesses to support the community. Stock constantly rotates as new artisans come on board, so there’s always something new to see, and workshops and classes are planned to be held at the back of the shop.
And all within walking distance of The Maples, why not book a workshop for your next visit.