Wheway Yarns
Turning Data into Art through Craft
Welcome to Wheway Yarns
Where Threads and Stories Intertwine
At Wheway Yarns, we believe in the power of transformation, taking separate strands and weaving them into something entirely new. Whether it’s the rhythmic process of knitting or the art of storytelling through data, every thread holds a tale, and every yarn spun carries meaning.
It all started with a return to knitting in 2020. What began as a simple handmade baby gift soon became a source of comfort and creativity during the unexpected lockdowns of 2020/21. As I reconnected with my craft, I found a new way to blend my love for textiles with my fascination for data.
Creative Data Visualisation, or as I like to call it, knitting data, merged as my unique approach to storytelling. Just as knitting transforms independent threads into intricate patterns, I use yarn to bring data to life in visual, tactile, and unexpected ways.
Why Wheway Yarns
The name ‘Wheway’ reflects the fusion of different elements to create something original, just as knitting and crochet unite separate strands into a new fabric.
The term ‘yarn’ itself holds a beautiful dual meaning:
-
A spun thread used in knitting and weaving.
-
A long, adventurous tale full of excitement and intrigue.
At Wheway Yarns, we embrace both definitions, crafting pieces that are as visually compelling as they are meaningful.
A Touch of Serendipity: The ‘Purple Patch’
My original choice of name, ‘Purple Patch,’ symbolised a streak of creativity and success. Inspired by a cherished gift—handmade mugs from my favourite potter featuring a purple patch—it became a reminder of the beauty in small, thoughtful moments. Though the name was widely in use, its essence continues to shape my work and is reflected in my logo.
Discover the Art of Storytelling Through Yarn
Wheway Yarns is more than a craft; it’s an evolving journey where tradition meets innovation, and textiles meet data. Whether you’re a fibre enthusiast, a lover of stories, or simply curious about this unique fusion, you’re invited to explore a world where every stitch tells a tale.
Crafted Conversations
Dialogue through design; yarn works that respond, reflect, and resist in every stitch.
Each piece within my portfolio is part of an ongoing conversation between material and maker, tradition and innovation, personal and political. These are not just handcrafted works of yarn, but visual essays, emotional landscapes, and acts of quiet resistance.
Drawing on the language of fibre, form, and symbolism, these creations speak to memory, identity, data, and disruption. Whether charting personal stories or responding to collective experiences, every thread carries intention. Through texture, tension, and repetition, these works invite you to listen to what is said, what is felt, and what is stitched in silence.
Discover the stories, inspiration, and creative process behind Wheway Yarns on the blog. From the symbolism woven into each piece to reflections on data-driven design and political themes, the blog offers a deeper look into the art of yarn storytelling.
Relearning my ABCs: Ambitious Birthdays Created with Love
As the “back to school” week wraps up, I’ve been reflecting on what I learned over the summer. The steepest learning curve came from a project that arrived in my head one day in mid-June and came with a built-in deadline: a significant birthday in late July. The idea...
A Family Thread: Four Generations of Textile Artists and Their Creative Legacy
This has been an extraordinary week of firsts for me, and one I’m very proud of. The launch of the Wheway Yarns website, the arrival of freshly minted business cards with Textile Artist printed proudly beneath my name, and the presentation of a hugely successful...
Stitching Equality into the Board room: Gender Balance Woven in Thread
Like many of us, I’ve found aspects of the last 18 months hard. For me, a pinch point came at the start of this year when I was struggling with an echoey feeling in my head - an empty space with billowing tumbleweed where I was used to a hive of activity. ...