My Story

Like most girls of my generation I was taught to knit, just the basics.  When I was in my teens and bored, I bought a pattern, wool and needles.  I couldn’t have picked a harder pattern, boy did I learn the hard way!

At some point, I realised I could play around with the patterns and change bits I didn’t like.  That progressed to writing patterns.  I love designing and writing knitting patterns, but they take a while to do to make sure they are right and I like to have a variety of projects going at the same time.

My love of wool progressed to being interested in sheep fleece.  I just love all the different things you can do with fleece; weave, spin, knit, needle felt, wet felt, living rugs, wall art, to name a few.  I prefer working with natural fleece, as they range from dreamy soft like fluffy clouds to coarse and hardwearing.

The rugs I make are from the sheep’s shorn fleece, they have not been killed and their skin still attached. I wet felt the underneath of the fleece to make a firm backing for the ‘living rug’ or ‘vegetarian rug’ as some like to call them.  The sheep are still in the fields enjoying themselves!  Most of my fleece are from sheep who are classed as rare breeds, they are more likely to be from small herds of pet sheep. I let the felting process form the rugs into their own unique shape, not conformist and square.

I love making art rugs, I layout different types of fleece before the felting process to make a more interesting rug.  My rugs have character!!

I found a drying agent which dries any fabric which is 80% natural fibers, till it is hard.  I thought it would be fun to have a play with it, it is.  If the item fully dries out the items can be left outside all the time, it is good for figures, and outside artwork.

I love dreamcatchers and how they represent people’s dreams in a creative way.  Most of my dreamcatchers are currently made in the traditional round shape,  I am not sure that will last!

My outdoor hobbies and interests see me on beaches and lake shores, I love looking for natural materials I can put together later in small and large pieces and mixed with other materials to make reminders of shore life.

Knits R us