CraftWorld Awards 2021: Meet Your Winners!
We're so excited to reveal your winners of the first ever CraftWorld Awards! We're celebrating designers, teachers, event organisers, shop owners, charity crafters, bloggers and anyone else who inspired you in 2021. The awards are 100% voted for by you, our wonderful CraftWorld community!
The nominations and voting have now finished and it's time to congratulate the winners in each category! Please do make sure you go and follow these brilliantly inspiring folks and show them some appreciation.
Designers of The Year 2021
Sam Calcott
You said: “Sam works tirelessly to bring us kinetic, interactive and static card designs, gift bags, albums and other paper crafts. I don't know how she does all she does, but she definitely deserves all the awards.”
Chloe Birch
You said: “Freelance knitwear designer Chloe is all about sustainability, inclusivity and wellbeing, and has designed for key brands including West Yorkshire Spinners.”
Several of Chloe’s patterns have appeared on the cover of Knit Now in the past year, so it’s fabulous to see that you love her patterns as much as we do!
www.instagram.com/chloe_elizabeth_knitwear/
Adaku Parker
You said: "The owner of Dovetailed, and designer of some of the most eye-catching Love Sewing patterns, Adaku never fails to wow us."
www.instagram.com/dovetailedlondon/
Your Local Craft Heroes 2021
Sara of Black Sheep Wools
You said: “All through lockdown she has done videos and Facebook posts that have kept me going (and no doubt countless others!). It often feels like she is in the room having a cuppa and yarn natter with you, and it would be nice to show her some appreciation for her efforts.”
Toni Darroch of Stamps By Me & Stamping Together
You said: “Toni did an amazing job of organising a lovely event for papercrafters. It was so lovely to see events happening in person again!”
Sew Marvellous
This is a wonderful volunteer sewing group based in South Birmingham, making items for charity and community groups.
www.instagram.com/sew_marvellous/
Charity Crafters of the Year
Helen Kurtz, also known as Josie Kitten
You said: “Helen has been fundraising for Myositis UK by holding weekly yarn raffles on her Instagram page. She has raised more than £20,000 so far. She has increased awareness of this rare disease and even carried on fundraising when she was diagnosed with cancer this year. She is incredible!”
www.instagram.com/josiekitten/
The Dropped Stitch
The Dropped Stitch is a yarn shop in East Sussex. You nominated them to thank them for running a raffle to raise money for Chailey Heritage Foundation.
Workaid
You said: "This charity based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire empowers young people in Africa and the UK to help themselves by developing the skills and knowledge needed to find gainful employment or start their own business. They do this by refurbishing tools such as haberdashery items and sewing machines and shipping them to training centres and self-help organisations."
Online Crafting Stars of the Year
Jeanette Sloan
You said: “Renowned designer of hand knitting patterns, tutor and columnist for Laine magazine, Jeanette is creator of @bipocinfiber and works tirelessly to boost diversity of the knitting community.”
Natasha Foote
You said: “She is just the loveliest most encouraging crafty friend. She inspires so many as well on her channel and works so hard. She is unique and clever in her creativity.”
www.youtube.com/NatashaFooteCreative/
Jen Skinner & Laura Cook of Crifty Crafty
You said: "Jen is a leader and true inspiration and co founder of the UK Cricut Creators Facebook group. We all love Jen to pieces! What no one ever sees is the number of private messages we get from Jen and her side kick Laura Cook (also nominated). While I was in intensive care fighting for my life with Covid, their support was precious."