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Maker of beanies, bucket hats, accessories and baby & toddler clothes. Individually hand crafted by Jen in Methven, New Zealand.
I searched locally for my favourite suppliers and went to my favourite woollen mills and fabric suppliers to curate a collection to be proud of.
I hope you and your beloved friends and family enjoy wearing my designs as much as mine do.
Summer in Methven
And with summer in New Zealand, in Mid Canterbury we experience the harsh Nor'Westersly winds!
So my friend asked me last week if I could re-create an old favourite hat of hers. Of course I accepted the challege. A challenge because it needs to stay on your head in the strong nor'westerly winds AND be able to fit a pony tail out the back!
Hat Making
This is the second time I've been asked to make a favourite hat. Last year was the Miffy Hat. Miffy is the nickname of the girl that wanted the hat! It's gone on to be amongst of my best sellers!
So I set about drafting a pattern for my friend Lyn and started sample sewing. I love this process of working through to get just the right fit and style. I've now ended up with a unique custom made hat that I'm very proud of. You can now purchase the hat which is aptly name The Nor'Wester.
The Canterbury Nor'Westerly Winds
If you'd like to know more about the Nor'Westerly winds, I came across this blog written by David Relph who used to live in the area. I don't know him, but it's great reading if you're a local, (and if you're not!) and he finishes up his article with "The Shagroons Lament" written by Mark Stoddart in the 1800's. He later came to own Terrace Downs. I found this fascinating.
Visiting Methven
I love the influx of people that come to my town that creates a vibrant, buzzing atmosphere which really supports our small businesses in town. Our range of beanies is available year round both online and at the Methven i-Hub, Craft@Arabica Restaurant, Salmon Tales Rakaia and coming soon to Topp Cafe Methven and Stavely Store &Cafe.
Spending all or part of your spring break in Methven, and visiting all our local attractions means you need to browse our hat collections. Cover your head in a cocoon of bliss on your outdoor adventures or wear your beanie or sunhat as you soak under the summertime sun or in the evening as you stargaze from Methven's Hotpools. Your soft, breathable and stretchy Jen Beanie will keep your head warm on the coldest of days and your summer hat will keep you protected from the New Zealand sun.
And if the weather has got you feeling a little creative try one of our knitting kits available at Methven I-Hub to relax with in your down time or book into one of our weekly knitting classes. Kits are sold exclusively from the Methven I-Hub.
With the warmer weather comes the need to protect your little munchkins and the rest of the family from the harsh New Zealand sun. Keep your face and head protected with the latest in our women's hats. Check out the Miffy Hat for your summertime fun! Our on-trend kids and adult bucket hats are perfect for the beach, pre-school or outdoor play. You'll find a hat to suit any style or activity.
Check our range of hats and order online now! Can't decide? Choose a gift card!
Warm. Gorgeous. Fun.
Explore our range of fun accessories, from the practical to the necessary to figt giving. Ordering is easy, try now.
Jen Beanie Bucket Hats have been designed for outdoor fun! Our fabrics have fun print designs to suit any age. Our hats are hand cut and sewn, so whilst we have done our absolute best to represent the hat size and fabric choice for you, please note that some variations may occur.
Important
Measure your / your child's head then add 2cm to choose the best size. Make sure you allow for hair!
Size Chart
| SIZE | AGE | Crown Measurement | |
| Baby | XXS | 3-6mths | 43cm (17") |
| Baby | XS | 6-12mths | 45cm (18") |
| Toddler | S | 1-2 yrs | 48 cm (19") |
| Child | M | 3-5 yrs | 50 cm (20") |
| Child | L | 6-8 yrs | 53 cm (21") |
| Child | XL | 8-12 yrs | 54 cm (22") |
| Adult | S | Adult Size S | 53.5 cm (21") |
| Adult | M | Adult Size M | 55.5 cm (22") |
| Adult | L | Adult Size L | 58.5 cm (23") |
| Adult | XL | Adult Size XL | 61.0 cm (24") |
Head Measurement
Measure the circumference around your head, keeping the tape level and firm across the temples and above the eyebrow ridges. Then determine your hat size using the chart below. Select the bigger size if in between sizes.
With our Gift Hub that means you can buy gift cards whilst you’re doing your everyday online shopping. It’s easy to use your gift cards to buy from our collections.
Gift cards give your family and friends and work mates a gift they are guaranteed to love by letting them choose the gift they really want.
Discover our knitting kits that include all you need to make your own beanie. Our kits come complete with straight knitting needles and our pattern instructions are clear and easy to follow. Pefect for beginners and experienced knitters.
Or try our new Mask face covering kit that comes complete with fabric and elastic for one mask with your choice of fabric available.
I sell my original patterns to inspire others to knit, and fill their lives with colour and creativity.
Knitting kits are a perfect option for gifts, rainy day activities or just to learn a new skill. They can be purchased online or instore at the Methven I-Hub & Heritage Centre.
Kit Inclusions:
Knitting pattern
One ball of yarn
One Faux Fur pom pom
Straight knitting needles
Steel darning needle
Steel sewing needle (where required)
One length of 1.5 mtr sewing thread (where required)
Button for pom pom attachment
Before her passing at just 38, mum taught me to knit & sew, I guess I was about 6 or 7. As a very little girl, I remember sitting next to her watching her sew. When I was a little older she taught me to sew on her Pfaff sewing machine that she got for her 21st birthday, which I later inherited. In 3yrs of needlework at high school I learnt pattern making & dressmaking. I've always loved sewing, but I fell in love with sewing when I started making hats and baby outfits a few years ago. I proudly made my own clothes when I started work in Sydney city & later went on to make my children's clothes when they were young. I applied my skills & began to develop & make hats designed with quality & style in mind. I added other accessories & some toddler clothing items to my boutique collection.
Best known as maker of the original ‘Jen Beanie’ aka Botan Beanie, & renowned for making quality hand made hats in varying styles, colours & sizes to suit everyone. They look good, keep you warm in winter & offer protection from the summer sun. Sold at Methven I-Hub, Craft@Arabica inMethven, Salmon Tales Cafe in Rakaia & coming soon to Topp Cafe Methven & Stavely Store & Cafe for off the shelf purchase.
Our humble beginnings started after making a beanie for my daughter. Friends started asking if I'd make them a "Jen Beanie". Hence its name was borne.
With my early success & recognition of a lack of NZ quality handmade hats available locally, I saw the opportunity of expanding the nascent & leisurely enterprise into something more serious. Jen Beanie Co. grew.
My quality workmanship & hard work has led to a growing reputation with locals & hat enthusiasts NZ wide for making high quality, handmade hats. Our original iconic hat is the Botan Beanie. Botan, (Bowtan), short for the Dunedin Botanical Gardens, where my daughter is modelling the original Botan Beanie.
I work at home part time and go to my real office job 3 days a week. This lets me be around for my family. Work & education has been important in my life. I'm a NZ registered Health & Safety professional, qualified Incident Investigator, hold Dip. OH&S & Dip. H&TM. But most recently I've begun a knitting pattern writing & design journey with 67 other knitwear designers worldwide and am now offering knitting lessons in clasess spread throught the week. Book your lessons here
https://jenbeanieco.company.site/Workshops-and-Classes-c107717754
Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful!
Jen xox
You can find a small selection of our "off-the-shelf" hats in various sizes at these participating retail spaces:
Methven I-Hub display inside the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall, Main Street, Methven
Craft@Arabica's display at 36 McMillan Street, Methven
Salmon Tales Cafe display stand at 9 Railway Terrace East, Rakaia and
Look out for my blog - coming soon with updates on my design and pattern writing course!
