Snuggles for little ones

Amanda set up 'Amanda Hawkins Knitwear' in 1990 with the help of a small grant from the Prince's Youth Business Trust. She had gained an Hons. Degree in woven textile design at Birmingham, but a loom in a bedsit was out of the question, hence she bought a knitting machine. For the first few years Amanda  produced  ladies textural wool & chenille jackets with co-ordinating hats, which sold at prestigous fairs, such as 'Chelsea Craft Fair' & 'Country Living', as well as in galleries throughout the country & in the USA. With their spiral toggles & scalloped edges, they lent themselves to childrenswear & in 2000 the 'Tassles & Toggles' childrens range of knitted cotton accessories developed, including hats, scarves & mittens, which sold at Covent Garden Market.

 

In 2002 Amanda & her partner moved to Stroud in Gloucestershire to start a family. The 'Made in Stroud' shop stocked her knitting immediately, (& still does today) giving her the opportunity to become a full time mum working from home.  It was in September 2009, when her youngest daughter was starting school that Amanda came across 'By Local' by chance on a shopping trip.
'I knew that this was something I would like to get involved in, & was very excited to be accepted. The response by the public was amazing'.

In 2009 personalised knitted bunting was added to the range, & a year later, smaller door plaques. They cost £4.00 per flag for the bunting & £3.50 per flag for the plaques. They are both available in all the colours shown, & beautifully lined with gingham. Choose end design flags or just the name. Orders take about a week.

New for this season have been the trio of 'Nelly Noodle' teddies which were designed after the arrival of a new cousin, & took inspiration from a range of new hats.

To complete the look, Amanda has also recently added co-ordinating soft cotton baby blankets in two sizes; swaddling blankets & moses basket snuggles.

P.s. if it's not clear from her blog - Amanda loves knitting!!