I know that’s an even longer title than my January post. And despite my plans to work less in favour of more making, nurturing and nesting, I’m currently busier than I’ve been for ages. Am I my own worst enemy? Of course I am!  This past week has been particularly ‘screen heavy’ so I thought I’d drop in with a quick blog update before I shut down my Mac for the weekend and finally get down to some sewing and gardening.  In my last post I introduced you to Hidden Star, my design contribution to Laine’s 52 Weeks of Accessories. This pattern celebrates my love of beaded knitting ..read more

I know that’s a long title, right? Well, it kind of sums up where I‘m at right now.  So much has happened in the last three years, culminating in a major house move towards the end of last year. And because I’m keen to give myself time and space to process these changes, 2024 marks the start of a new chapter. One where I’ll be adjusting to life in my new home city of Bristol and taking mindful steps each day to listen to what my body needs. Whether that’s reading, resting, cooking, crafting or soaking up the culture of my new hometown, this year, you should expect to see something a litt ..read more

It’s the first of July! Pinch and punch and all that. Can you believe we’re already talking about Shetland Wool Week? Well, bookings for this years event went live this week so of course we’re talking about it. 2022 saw my first ever visit to this iconic festival which I LOVED so I’m very proud and happy to have been invited back to teach this year. It’s inspiring that while Shetland Wool Week is renowned for celebrating the islands’ rich textile heritage the organisers are also looking to embrace tutors from outwith Shetland. This helps to ensure there’s an evolving schedule of classes, talk ..read more

Today I am very proud – and somewhat gobsmacked – to find myself on the Birthday Honours List of our new monarch, HRH King Charles III.  As the child of Bajan parents who came to this country as part of the Windrush generation, I am hugely proud to accept a British Empire Medal in recognition of my career as a knitwear designer and my efforts to make the fibre space more inclusive, diverse and welcoming for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. (Not Fine Arts as is stated above). There will be those who hold staunchly anti-monarchist views. Who feel the Honours System is archaic and re ..read more

Disclosure Let me start by saying, yes, KnitPro asked if I’d be interested in posting about this product in exchange for being able to keep the set. Now, over the last few years, my Instagram following has grown considerably from when I initially set it up to ‘post some random pics’ of the nonsense I do from time to time. And, since reaching over 10,000 followers I’ve been approached by an often bizarre range of companies from sportswear brands (if you’ve seen me you’ll no I’m no athlete) and even more curiously a hair care company who clearly hadn’t noticed that I have no hair. Bless ‘em. So ..read more

I know it’s been a few weeks since I opened Waltham Abbey Wool Show but it’s never too late to have a good old nosey at what I brought home. So enjoy! The day started with my main duty as VIP, cutting the ribbon to open the show at 10.00am. Here I am with the lady Mayor of Waltham Abbey, Jodie Lucas – both of us desperately trying not to be upstaged by the show’s sheep mascot. As you can see there was no shortage of yarn inspiration I’m not easily tempted at yarn shows however this time I was shopping with purpose; gift hunting for a close friend who’s a talented colourwork knitter. There’s s ..read more

It feels like so long since I wrote a blog post that I’m honestly not sure where to start. If you regularly follow my posts you’ll know the last few months have been extremely difficult as I adjust to a strange new life without my husband Sam. And like many of us, my body and brain are so hardwired to be constantly on the go that it feels strange not to be working on a new design, updating the BIPOC in Fiber directory or writing a column for Laine Magazine. I’m learning to accept this strangeness as part of my journey of grief into a new phase of my life. One that still isn’t clear to me as y ..read more

Thanks to Molly Plummer The Mimo Yarn Co for these handmade dryer balls, I look forward to trying them out. • Looking at them I realised how accurately they sum up my feelings towards this festive season. Because two weeks today I will be experiencing my first Christmas without Sam. The first in 22 years. Thankfully I won’t be alone (Omicron permitting) but of course it won’t be the same without him, how could it be? • So why post a picture of balls on my feed? Because that’s how I feel about Christmas cards this year. Each one is a reminder that as a recently widowed woman, I am without my l ..read more

Solace – in two versions As you know it’s been a very difficult couple of months, but today the sun is shining and the sky is a cheery shade of blue. I’m learning to take it one day at a time and while I’m certainly not back at my desk full time I’m popping in to write a quick post about the exclusive design I created to accompany my Knit Stars Season 6 Beaded Colourwork Masterclass.  I’ve partnered with UK indie dyer Leila Bux of The Urban Purl to create an exclusive design that marries Leila’s exquisite eye for colour with my love of knitted bling. And given that we’ve all spe ..read more

  Just over a week ago, I said a formal goodbye to my husband, Sam. As I hoped, it was a large, emotionally charged gathering of friends and family from throughout Sam’s life; both before me and our life together.   For everyone present, whether in-person or virtually, he meant something special because Sam was someone special. And it’s why I wanted his funeral to celebrate the wonderfully warm, generous and loving man he was, longing for the love to reach him wherever he is and show him what he meant – means – to us all. To celebrate the uniquely compassionate, funny ..read more