The wild side

Yorkshire-based designer Lisa Richardson draws upon the stunning surrounding countryside as she comes up with her latest crochet creations…

- Lucy Evans

It’s hard not to feel just a little bit envious when crocheter and knitter Lisa Richardson describes her home and surroundings. Living on an old farm, she has the Yorkshire countryside right on her doorstep – and her location understandably has an effect on her work.

“If I’m not working I’m outside,” she admits, “either walking, biking, running off road in the countryside or I’m working on the land that we have. Planting trees, starting a kitchen garden, looking after my chickens and bees. This heavily influences me and my work, not in a sought after way but just in the fact that I am absorbing all of those beautiful senses every day.”

With the current coronavirus situation, Lisa’s been grateful that she’s still been able to easily access the great outdoors. “I’m really lucky to be able to have a decent wander just by staying home. Even if I just go to the kitchen to make a cup of tea my chickens somehow know and jump on the windowsill and start knocking at the glass for a quick chat. Design-wise I work from home quite a bit anyway so have a studio space that I can work in so it feels normal in that respect, it’s just always hard to call a halt to the working day.”

NO PLACE LIKE HOME