Every time we do an exposé of the artists that supply the Cape Grace gift shop, we are more amazed at the incredible creativity in Cape Town, sourced by our suppliers Imagenius and Africa Nova. This month we focus on Maymott, whose crochet designs are totally in tune with the trends identified by Lidewij Edelkoort, one of the world’s most renowned trend forecasters (see our blog post earlier this month on her forecasts).

Of this coming year Edelkoort says, “In a wild expression of our collective creative instincts, people will rediscover the beauty of one-of-a-kind creations made from yarn, fringe, crochet, patchwork, embroidery and hand-knit pieces.” 

Nothing embodies this concept more aptly than Maymott’s adventurous crochet creations with blankets, cushions, even a day bed and ottoman, inspired by the shapes, textures and colours of coral reefs, seeds and pods. Taking nature at its most extreme as their cue, Maymott’s founders, Danny and Kate, push the boundaries of design into a new realm of expression and beauty. It is up to the skill of their crochet artists in Khayelitsha and Johannesburg – most of whom are Gogos (Zulu and Xhosa word for granny) – to animate the pieces into life using an inspiring variety of wool and textures from Saprotex Yarns of East London.

Maymott was started by Danny and Kate through a desperate need to “make stuff”. It had to keep their hands busy and allow them to be completely adventurous. “We wanted to make a positive difference in other people’s lives too, by bringing back some old skills. We wanted to make beautiful keepsakes, items that would last generations and add fun and functionality to a space.” 

Take a look at the Maymott website gallery to view how they have managed to excel in doing just that. You will also find them in issue 58 of VISI magazine and the January 2012 issue of Marie Claire, showing off their Mancoons (winter adult cocoon casing).