My Mum taught me to knit when I was eight and I have never looked back! I love working with bright, cheerful colours and complex patterns. Most of my projects are a mixture of different types of wool. I will often entwine a mix of colours to make up the weight of the wool to keep the consistency for the overall project.
From an early age I bought 4 ply wool from the Shetland Islands. I loved the subtle mix of shades within each skein of wool, and I found the durability of the wool second to none. It was always a joy to work with, even the process of rolling the skeins of wool into balls!
I carded, spun and plyed Del’s Cowl from the Jacob’s fleece he gave me last summer. It was beautiful to work with and an absolute pleasure to knit in with a Kaffe Fassett sock yarn in a combination of Del’s favourite colours to compliment the natural fleece.
Large Yew Mushroom Buttons are made from Yew wood cut straight from the branch. I have always loved buttons and I wanted to make some of my own.
Single and Double Cherry Wood Buttons made from Cherry Wood cut straight from the branch.
Lace Shirt is a design I have been thinking about for some time now. I have always been actively interested in mixing media and over the years I have been collecting beautiful pieces of fabric lace edgings with the idea to mix it in with my knitting. My idea is to knit the shirt very plain and simple and to connect the sleeves with a lace border, and perhaps to edge the shirt with lace… My Great Grandmother was a wizard at knitting lace and I have inherited all her double ended pins but have yet to have a go at knitting lace!
Daisy Vest is a simple design and a project I took several times on the long train journey to visit my Mum. Sometimes I really enjoy just knitting, and not having to think about the complexity of the pattern. However, I am always interested in offsetting textures.
Socks for Wellies came about after wearing out endless pairs of ‘normal’ socks for wellies. We are in our wellies alot of the time! The wool is chunky oddments. Bright and cheerful goes without saying, and the double gusset on the toe and heel give extra protection for those parts that simply wear out.
Hearts and Flowers is a slipover design of my own for my husband, which I have just completed!
Summer Flowers Waistcoat was inspired by my husband’s love of flowers.
Folk Festival Cardigan was inspired by my work with the Cambridge Folk Festival.
It was created using graph paper, a base wool of natural cotton and oddments of wool.
Chunky Leaf Scarf was inspired by my observation of falling leaves.
It was created using hand dyed Moroccan wool brought back from a three month adventure to Morocco.
I sewed a spring green fleece backing around the edging of the leaves to feel more snug when being worn.
Stripes and Spots was inspired by my ongoing fascination of finding different ways to apply alternative ribs to cardigans and jumpers.
I enjoyed the complexity of working one set of horizontal stripes in with the ascending vertical rib in this cardigan.
Squares and Stripes jumper was adjusted from a Sasha Kagan design.
I used to love knitting for the Irish knitter/designer Sasha Kagan back in the 80’s. I enjoyed the simplicity of this design shape to compliment the complexity of the patterning. It was a joy to use the Shetland wool in these beautiful, subtle shades.
Geometric Waistcoat is another Sasha Kagan design.
I loved this waistcoat so much, I didn’t change anything when knitting it. It was a joy to use the Shetland wool in these beautiful, subtle shades.
Crochet Daisies in a myriad of colours for my Hand fasting in 2014. I plan to stitch all of them around the felted daisy to make a gorgeous throw for the bed.
