Machine knitting has been a big part of my life as I grew up wearing machine knitted jumpers, cardigans and dresses knitted for me by my mum. When I was 17 I asked if I could use my mum’s Brother KH588 push button knitting machine which had been underneath a bed for many years. This was the start of an obsession that has lasted over 35 years! My next knitting machine was a second hand Brother KH830 punch card and then I started knitting for others as well as myself and family.

In 1990, I moved to the Lake District and started working for a local Machine Knitting shop in Whitehaven. I was making children’s motif jumpers working from home for over a year when I decided to start my own business. I received help and support from The Princess Business Trust, so I started my first business which was called Glorious Knitwear when I returned to Scotland. 

I have a thirst to learn new things so eventually I went back to college to attend a part-time Centra Machine Knitting course over 3 years to learn how to design knitwear and even more about machine knitting. Afterwards I worked from home again, this time for a local knitwear factory as a pieceworker. I have been self-employed more than I have had ‘normal’ jobs, so I have been lucky enough to be able to follow my bliss. At times, it was a struggle but I wouldn’t have changed things for the world.

Eventually my knitting machines, pattern books and coned yarn were taking over my home as people were finding me via the knitting groups I went to etc. and giving me knitting machines they no longer wanted as well as their yarn stash! I would be offered a knitting machine that I didn’t have and machines do vary… I just couldn’t say no! That was ok when I lived in a house with 2 large walk in cupboards. I was very lucky 4 years ago to get a larger studio before Skillshare closed. The plan was to teach there but it never happened due to my health and life got in the way.

For years I have been saying I wanted to teach women how to machine knit to provide for themselves and their family. To enable them to put food on their table and to empower them.

I have the knitting machines, I have the yarn, the knowledge and experience to teach machine knitting to a high standard. Things have fallen into place bit by bit over the years and now due to recent events I know I have to do this.

It is time to put the power back into the individual hands of women and men. We can make a difference to our family and also our local economy’s. I hope you will join me in my new journey with the help of WEvolution… https://www.wevolution.org.uk/