9 INDUSTRY NEWS A cut above the rest Checker Distributors is now the home of the renowned perfect crafting and quilting products by quilt artist Karen Kay Buckley. With their exceptional quality and precision, these scissors are meticulously crafted to deliver clean and accurate cuts on various fabrics, ensuring your projects have a professional finish. Their original serrated blades provide excellent grip and prevent slippage, making them ideal for intricate and detailed cutting tasks. A message from Karen Kay Buckley, award-winning quilter, author and teacher: “I’m thrilled that the new owners, Checker Distributors, will continue my product line exactly as you’ve come to know it. After working with Checker Distributors for 35 years, a family-owned business for 75 years, I have come to appreciate their support of our industry, their devotion to their customers, and their excellent service. Their business philosophy closely aligns with mine. Thanks for your encouragement and support of my products. Your kind words have always been appreciated and often made my days better.” Visit: www.checkerdist.com Industry news Latest news from the craft industry Scroll & stitch with Gogglebox! To celebrate the start of the new series of Gogglebox (sponsored by Three), the mobile network and Nick Grimshaw (Celebrity Gogglebox star), have unveiled a guide to crochet your own phone holder so you can stitch as you tune-in to the latest episodes. While we’re a nation of TV lovers, many of us are looking at what new crafty skills we can learn from our sofas, as we enjoy watching the latest drama unfold. Keeping ourselves entertained with our eyes, ears and hands all at the same time, 69 per cent are looking to learn a new hobby this year, according to a new study commissioned by Three. Keeping one eye on the big screen and another on our handheld devices, over 47 per cent of Brits admitted to using their phone to learn a new hobby. For Gen Z, crochet is the new scrolling, as nearly half of Gen Zs (45 per cent) already know how to crochet. Enjoyed by Gogglebox cast members past and present, the nation has found a common thread as crochet was voted one of the UK’s trendiest hobbies to watch TV to. Over a third (36 per cent) use social media to look at crochet designs by other people, and 17 per cent have even found friends through crochet. Celebrity Gogglebox cast member, presenter and crochet newbie Nick Grimshaw has teamed up with Three to teach the nation how to crochet, so you can stitch and relax to your favourite show; just follow the guide: www.three.co.uk/ gogglebox. He said, “Crochet’s got a new fan. Can’t wait to lie around at home watching the new series of Gogglebox and follow Three’s step-by-guide to crochet so I’m putting my phone time to good use!” Aislinn O’Connor, Marketing Director at Three said, “As second screening has become second nature whilst watching TV, at Three we’ve discovered we’re a nation of multi-taskers, using connectivity to unlock a world of possibilities. We’re seeing our relationship with our phones and tablets evolving – making them the perfect companions to learn new techniques and hobbies from the comfort of our living rooms. I’m looking forward to trying my hand at Mobile Crochet, whilst tuning in for the new series of Gogglebox.” For more information and Three’s guide to Mobile Crocheting, visit www.three.co.uk/gogglebox
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