Christopher M. Ochs Arts & Crafts

07/15/2025

My new "Bohemian Shaman" handwoven shawl is now listed in the shop: https://www.christophermochs.com/product/19727686/bohemian-shaman-handwoven-shawl

Though all of my creations are one-of-a-kind, this is one of my more unique pieces. It was a journey in its making as I wanted it to be an exploration of the craft of weaving.

Incorporating a variety of woven techniques, colours, fibre types and textures, every inch of this shawl involved delicate, time-intensive handiwork in pickup-stick patterns. I also selected a segment for intricate, symbolic embroidery, a first as a fibre artist:

ᛝ (Inguz) rune: potential, growth, and the cyclical nature of existence. It also represents new beginnings, inner strength, and the potential for positive change.

△ Triangles: strength, stability, the divine, and ideas of change.

☾ Crescents: new beginnings, transformation, and the cyclical nature of life.

꩜ Spiral: Growth, evolution, and the cyclical nature of life.

I would love for its future wearer to feel empowered wearing it, meditating on its symbolic meanings if there is the desire to call upon them, while enjoying the tactile comforts in donning it.

"Bohemian Shaman" handwoven shawl and hand-knit shawl. Variety of woven patterns.Approximately 7'1" long (including length of tassels), 2', 2" wide; variety of natural and synthetic fibres.Photos (c) Christopher M. OchsCLEANING: Hand-soak in a solution of warm water and gentle liquid soap (e.g....

06/16/2025

My new "Amethyst" handspun and hand-knit shawl is now listed in the shop: https://www.christophermochs.com/product/19438382/amethyst-hand-knit-and-handspun-shawl

This is a piece I'm especially proud to offer, mainly because it's been YEARS in the making (literally like something out of the proverbial vault), and because it's one of my few all-handspun AND hand-knit shawls. I finished spinning and knitting the shawl itself years ago (2021, I think?), but I hit a roadblock when I ran out of the deep purple wool I spun for the tassels. I failed to follow my own rule (🤦) of buying more fibre than I *think* I may need for a large project and ran short. I only had enough to create tassels for half of the shawl.

Sadly, the shawl went into vacuum-sealed storage while I looked far and wide for the right-coloured roving and as close to the same wool type as possible. I even type-wrote a letter to Paradise Fibers and included a sample of the fibre with the hope that they would have it. Unfortunately, they didn't (but I bought a few pounds of another shade of purple roving from them anyway, just because they're awesome), so the search continued.

Finally, when my partner and I were spending time with his father in Chewelah, WA, we took a drive up to Colville where we paid a visit to E-Z Knit Fabrics. Though their shop is dominated by fabric, they have an abundantly-stocked and wonderfully-diverse section of yarn. In a separate nook of their shop, there was also a selection of rovings. Among them was what I eyeballed to be a perfect match for the purple roving I needed to finish the long-in-progress "Amethyst" shawl. Fortunately, I was right.

The variegated purples inspired the name for this shawl. Amethyst is also my favourite stone not only for its colour but for the spiritual powers it holds. There are many, but for me, I resonate most with its attributes of creativity, higher consciousness, inner peace, protection, and spiritual growth. I would love for the future owner of this shawl to experience all these and more while wrapped in it. 💜

"Amethyst" handspun and hand-knit shawl. Variety of stitchwork including garter and stockinette.Approximately 6.5' across at top, 4' high (including length of tassels); 80% handspun wools, 20% mohair.Photos (c) Christopher M. OchsCLEANING: Hand-soak in a solution of warm water and gentle liquid...

02/19/2025

That is one chonky bobbinful of freshly spun and plied Icelandic 🐑 and alpaca 🦙 yarn 🧶. 😁

02/14/2025

My new "Cerulean Skies" hand-crocheted scarf is now listed in the shop: https://www.christophermochs.com/product/17920547/cerulean-skies-hand-crocheted-scarf

After working on a lot of knitted and woven pieces in recent months, I wanted to get back to my crochet roots. Though I'm more of a knitter these days, I enjoy how quickly crochet goes (and it's easier to correct occasional mistakes). And with most of my crochet pieces, I love adding the final touch of big, fluffy tassels for extra flair.

"Cerulean Skies" hand-crocheted scarf. Chevron Peephole pattern.Approximately 8' long (including length of tassels on each end), 6.5" wide; 100% acrylic.Photos (c) Christopher M. OchsCLEANING: Hand-soak in a solution of warm water and gentle liquid soap (e.g., Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap, E...

01/02/2025

My new "Yuletide" handwoven scarf is now listed in the shop: https://www.christophermochs.com/product/17295915/yuletide-handwoven-scarf

Christmas has now passed and we are officially into the new year, but the holiday season and all its rich, warm colours and sparkle of decorative lights was the inspiration for this piece. I put a lot of deep reds, shimmery gold, and multi-coloured sparkle in hints of black yarn reminiscent of the tradition of seeing lights at night.

Lots of eyelash, ribbon, and chenille yarn went into this piece which offer variation in texture that complement the colours used, hopefully making it a conversation piece for its new owner.

"Yuletide" handwoven scarf. Plain weave pattern.Approximately 9', 3" long (including length of fringe on each end), 7.5" wide; synthetic materials.Photos (c) Christopher M. OchsCLEANING: Hand-soak in a solution of warm water and gentle liquid soap (e.g., Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap, Eucalan, Soa...

12/31/2024

Weaving with kittehs by the faux fire this New Year’s Eve. 😊😸

Happy New Year! 🥳🍾🥂 I hope 2025 is abundantly creative, happy, and prosperous for you all.

12/24/2024

Though the shop may be closed, I still brought knitting projects along for holiday travel. 😊🧶

I couldn’t resist this Fishtail Lace pattern in a soft denim-blue, wool and h**p blend yarn. The pattern is from 750 Knitting Stitches: The Ultimate Knit Stitch Bible, a source of many patterns I’ve used.

12/21/2024

Hi, Everyone!

My shop (https://www.christophermochs.com/shop) will be closed from 12/23/24 through 01/01/25 in observance of Christmas and New Year's. Any orders received during this time will be promptly shipped after.

Happy holidays to you and yours!

12/15/2024

Next on the loom is a holiday-inspired selection of colours and textures. It’s also no secret to some of you that my favourite colour is red—all shades—so, now and then, I love putting together a reds garment, especially with ✨sparkles✨ in it. 😊

12/15/2024

My new "Diwali Marigolds" handwoven scarf is now listed in the shop: https://www.christophermochs.com/product/17143002/diwali-marigolds-handwoven-scarf

Though India's Festival of Lights (or Diwali and sometimes called Deepavali or Deepawali) has passed, the holiday was the original inspiration for this scarf. Having been present for Diwali in India a few times in my life, it is an extraordinary time to behold.

Before Diwali celebrations begin, one can often find heaps of marigolds being sold in markets that are later made into decorative garlands. Their yellow colour is significant as they symbolise light over darkness, hope, love, success, purity, and prosperity. Hindu belief is that they are also associated with the goddess, Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and abundance.

"Diwali Marigolds" handwoven scarf. Double Windowpane/Mock Waffle Weave pattern separated by plain weave pattern.Approximately 8', 8" long (including length of fringe on each end), 7" wide; blend of natural fibre and synthetic materials.Photos (c) Christopher M. OchsCLEANING: Hand-soak in a solution...

11/10/2024

What’s been on the needles lately: a triangular shawl made entirely from my own handspun. The darker shades are Shetland wool and silk; the lighter shades Merino and silk.

11/09/2024

After an extended absence from earnest work in the studio, I’m dedicating the weekend here to rest, recharge, and answer the soul’s call for creativity.

I’m continuing on my latest scarf, now-named Diwali Marigolds, that’s been patiently waiting on the loom. There’s also spinning, crocheting, and knitting, as often as I can fit them all in in satisfying rotation.

Of course, studio imps are never far away while I work. 😼😸