A life-long knitter with wanderlust, Karen creates whimsical hand knitted children’s wear from luxury yarns

06 April 2018

Designer Spotlight: Krazy Knits by Karen

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Roving knitter of colourful kidswear, Karen: 'I think children’s wear should be bright and fun… something that makes you smile.'

My name is Karen and I am Krazy Knits by Karen. I live in Canberra with my extremely patient husband of 31 years and we have three wonderful adult children.

I make hand knitted little bits for babies and children using good quality and luxury yarns.

A stack of colourful children’s knits from Krazy Knits by Karen

A stack of colourful children’s knits from Krazy Knits by Karen

I joined Madeit in 2009 only to leave and live in the United Kingdom shortly afterwards. On our return two years later, I really got the opportunity to use my store. I love it because it is Australian and has a lovely sense of community.

Karen’s ever expanding stash of colourful yarns and craft books overflows from shelves into large baskets

Karen’s ever expanding stash of colourful yarns and craft books overflows from shelves into large baskets

Karen’s comfy crafty corner: a cosy lounge and knitting project in progress, with the caravan cushion a nod to Karen’s love for travel

Every piece in my store is hand knitted by me. I have memories of my mum teaching me how to knit when I was about four or five. A skill that I have now passed on to my own daughters.

Whimsical knitted beanie and sock set in pastels, with sheep detail: “Every piece in my store is hand knitted”

Whimsical knitted beanie and sock set in pastels, with sheep detail: “Every piece in my store is hand knitted”

I love colour and the different ways it can be combined. I think children’s wear should be bright and fun… something that makes you smile.

Whimsical knitted cargigan in brights, with sheep detail

Whimsical knitted cargigan in brights, with sheep detail

My first little colourful cardigan came about from a bag of yarn oddments which I bought at a car boot sale whilst travelling around the UK in a caravan when our youngest were only two and three.

Karen’s first colourful cardigans sported by her daughters with the rest of the family in front of their caravan in 1994

Karen’s first colourful cardigans sported by her daughters with the rest of the family in front of their caravan in 1994

I then spent my evenings knitting it up into cardigans that my girls absolutely lived in as they kept them lovely and warm.

A stack of Karen’s colourful knitted creations with quirky buttons: “I love to search out yarns and buttons everywhere we visit”