Shrimps Launches Crochet Homeware in the Most Shrimps Way

Shrimps founder Hannah Weiland has a side passion: fabulous party planning. Known for throwing jolly London celebrations with Dolly Parton and Cher tribute acts, chintzy decorations and the kitschiest of catering, the designer is the hostess with the mostest—and then some. When it came to launching homeware, with an edit of checkered crochet-knit table pieces which she will expand upon over time, it seemed only fitting to mark the occasion with something typically merry and maximalist.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Wiltshire venue Kin House, a stone’s throw from Hannah’s countryside home, was just about to open its doors for private hire. The restored Georgian manor, with interiors by Barlow & Barlow, invited Weiland and Shrimps’ friends to cut the ribbon to its shell enclave, woodland glades and crochet lawns, which will soon be splashed across Instagram over its summer of It-weddings. When the margaritas came out at midnight, Weiland knew it had been yet another success.

“Kin House is such a beautiful place, the feel of it felt perfect for Shrimps,” says the designer, who invited model Greta Bellamacina and her poet husband Robert Montgomery, gallery owners Phoebe Saatchi Yates and Arthur Yates, and the actor Anna Shaffer to join the festivities. “I loved the idea of our check knitted tableware set being amongst all these beautiful textures, it definitely fit in,” adds Hannah of the luxe eclectic interiors that are a match made in heaven for her brand.

Weiland has been seeding homeware into her mainline offering since last winter, when she couldn’t resist making hot water bottle cover versions of her best-selling cardigans. A knitted blanket featuring the same bobble embroidery and contrasting trim followed, alongside some exceptionally cute woolen baby accessories perfect for swaddling. Needless to say, they’ve been enthusiastically received by anyone prescribing to Hannah’s cool-girl version of twee.

“I think what is so nice about homeware is that you don’t have to launch with one big collection, you can do it in a more organic, piecemeal way,” explains Weiland of her process. “It’s been quite spur of the moment, similar to our new tableware. I saw the crochet knit swatch and thought, wouldn’t that be a beautiful placemat, and the set evolved from there. I particularly love the little blanket/sleeping bag for your knife and fork.”

Outfitted in the ’70s-influenced pre-fall 2022 collection, the Shrimps revelers at Kin evoked the “hedonism and disco fever” of the era, and proved to be the perfect ambassadors for Hannah’s world. What else can we expect from the brand this year? “Hopefully a lot more parties!” says the consummate professional in the field. “We love to have fun and bring joy, across all aspects of the brand, from the clothing and artworks we create to the parties we throw.”