elsy and vine

contemporary and quirky home accessories hand-crafted in pure new lambswool

A teacher of knitted textile design at Winchester School of Art, Claire Vine launched her range of contemporary and quirky knitted accessories in December 2007. ‘I had gathered together a body of work and stock,’ she recalls. ‘So I rented a chalet at the Winchester Cathedral Christmas market and was thrilled at the response! I have been slowly building the business since then.’ With a strong sense of colour and pattern, as well as a love for traditional materials and crafts, Claire finds inspiration everywhere – from a day trip, a found object, a memory or even a snippet of conversation. Claire's own particular favourite? ‘I’d have to say the whole ‘Happy Days’ collection,’ she says. ‘Because it makes me want to escape to the British seaside, come rain or shine!’ Claire has worked hard to perfect her collection, spending a lot of time and money sampling yarns and colours until she is 100% happy with the final design. ‘What makes my range special is that it’s unique and made from the highest quality lambswool,’ she says. ‘I strive to create contemporary timeless pieces that will be cherished forever. And I love that they make people smile!’