My Story

I learned to knit at seven. My aunt Sheelagh, my mum’s twin, taught me just before she emigrated to Canada in the 60s, and I taught myself the rest. It ran in the family: my granny once bought the entire contents of a wool shop that was closing down.

School didn’t exactly steer me away from needlework. The nuns at my convent cared more about us girls sewing than about theoretical physics, which suited me fine. Even so, I left it for a while. I took degrees in politics and anthropology and worked as a copywriter and political researcher.

But craft kept pulling me back. I worked in a pottery, set up a textile business, and finally found my way to writing about sewing and knitting. More than 20 books later, including Knitivity and Knit Your Own Royal Wedding, I wanted to create patterns that fit into real life.

That’s why I started Knit Me Quick. It’s for knitters who want to finish things: chunky yarn, big needles, and clear patterns that make sense.

I live in Hertfordshire, just outside London, with my husband. We have a grown-up son who's about to get married. When I’m not knitting, I’m usually painting, rearranging the furniture, or tiling something - though I’ve had quite enough of that for now to be honest.

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