about
I’m a knitter and knitwear designer based in Ticino, Switzerland.
Like many of us, I own my love for knitting to my grandma. As a little kid, I would spend hours watching her quickly working with needles in her hands; it just felt like magic. I can still picture her in the living room, sitting on the couch, creating socks from a single strand of yarn. Those tiny memories will always have a special place in my heart.
I picked up knitting again during my university studies and it quickly became my favorite way to keep my hands busy during student meetings and long weekend’s train rides.
I created Wolley Handmade at the end of 2019, right when I left my job as an early childhood educator to become a full time mom. My first kid was born at the end of that year and he has now a little accomplice; being a mom of these two bundles of joy (and craziness) is what makes my life complete!
At the end of 2020 I released my first pattern, the Gurin Beanie, and that’s when my knitwear designer journey begun - and oh, what an amazing journey it’s been!
As much as having my second kid slowed down my knitting, I keep selling my finished pieces at local markets and I try to add a new design whenever I can.
I always love to chat with fellow knitters, so don’t be shy! Let’s be friends!
Meet the maker
Hi there, I’m Elisa!
Brand philosophy
Crafting coziness, one stitch at a time
Here at Wolley Handmade, every stitch tells a story of warmth, creativity and passion. Founded at the end of 2019, Wolley Handmade aspire to create cozy and timeless patterns that can inspire knitters of all levels. I believe that knitting is more than just a craft - it’s a way of life. It’s about taking time for yourself to create something beautiful with your own hands, one stitch at a time. My patterns are designed to be accessible, enjoyable and, most importantly, to bring a sense of accomplishment and warmth to your life.
“When I was looking for a creative name for my knitting brand, I had a little epiphany when I realised that one of my favorite colours sounded a lot like “woolly” when spelled backward...”
The patterns
Easy, fun and… sellable!
Each one of my patterns is meticulously crafted with love and care.
I especially like to create beginner-friendly designs with a cozy and timeless look, that even experienced knitters will enjoy. You will also find some more intricate patterns to challenge yourself.
I know that knitting, although highly therapeutic, can become a little addicting. You might find yourself surrounded by finished knitting pieces before you even realise it, so I always make sure that my designs are not only fun to make but also great to sell! This way, your beautiful creations will find a new home (and you will be able to free some space in your house for your next projects).
Each one of my patterns has been tested by multiple knitters of different skill levels and corrected by a professional tech editor. I make sure to always include both US and metric terms. All designs also offer multiple sizes options, so you won’t have to worry about the math (and will be able to make matching sets for all the members in your family).
Whether you’re a beginner looking for a fun and easy knit or an experienced knitter seeking a new project to sell at your next market, I have something for you. All patterns are available as digital PDF downloads, making it easy for you to get started on your next knitting adventure.
Community and support
Let’s talk about the Cozy Tribe
Wolley handmade is more than just a pattern and knitwear shop - it’s a community. Since I first joined Instagram (or should I say Knitstagram) I understood the importance of connection and support in the knitting world. This is why I decided to create a little knitters community called Cozy Tribe, where you’ll be able to ask questions and find support, share your work and small victories, or just talk about anything with like minded people.
I really value the support aspect of a knitting community, and as a designer I always try to make my patterns as clear and easy to follow as possible. But of course everyone comes from different backgrounds and skill levels, so if you find yourself stuck on any passage, please reach out to me. I’ll make sure to get back to you as soon as possible.
