I am most grateful if people let me know they are happy with my products and/or my written patterns. I have nice cooperations with yarn suppliers and I publish in a Dutch crochet magazine. These cooperations are a result of investing in relations over the last 7 years. Yearly highlights are attending handicraft fairs where I meet people who use my patterns. I feel very blessed. For 2024 I would like to continue working with several companies, but I also want to stay close to my beliefs and vision. This means that sometimes I must say 'NO'. I would like to become a better at this ;-). Next objective is to find other, more sustainable produced wool and source it in the Netherlands instead of abroad.
My name is Hedwig van der Laan - I live in Zeist, The Netherlands with my husband and our 2 cats. We have 3 grown up children who have just started working or are still studying.
I started StudioHedwig in 2016, after crocheting and knitting a series of pillows and throws for ourselves. I enjoyed doing that so much that I also wanted to make interior accessories for others. I crochet and knit my home deco on request and since 2019 I also make knitting and crochet patterns. I was educated as a teacher in chemistry and biology. During my work as an R&D project manager, I studied business and law. Later I managed to get a degree in fashion design (coutier).
The yarns I work with are sustainable, natural and mostly recycled. The usage of new cotton requires tons of water, pesticides and colorants, whereas recycled cotton does not. If I work with wool, animal welfare is very important for me. The designs I make are timeless and the products last a long time. There is no stock of products in my studio. I create on demand to avoid spillage of products and also to be able to make my products as customized as possible. With my choice for yarns with a sustainable origin I hope to make a small contribution to a better world and to inspire other people.
Knitting, crocheting and making clothes has been my great passion from an early age. Until January 1st 2023 I combined working at a consultancy agent with StudioHedwig, but now I am lucky to focus on my craft business only. In addition, I am a member of the Board of Advisors of EDsnaps, an educational non-profit, based in New York.
Links:
My website: https://www.studiohedwig.nl/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiohedwig/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudioHedwig/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hedwig-van-der-laan-b500b820/?ppe=1