I think I started knitting for the first time when I was six years old. The first project I remember finishing was a blanket for my cat ‘Kiki’. It was white, gold and variegated blue yarn, and ended up being a triangle shape because I had no idea of tension or gauge. I also recall that Kiki preened underneath it like he was trying it on, saying ‘Looks good to me Shelly.’ (I was Shelly back then by the way).

 Over the years off and on I would be knitting, mostly blankets for our pets (all of our cats and dogs were well kitted out), clothes for cabbage patch kids, babies that I thought I might have some day, babies that friends or work colleagues had (I think all babies need to have at least one good size knit blanket to keep warm under that will last them for years), and of course presents for family (Christmas 2004 I knitted presents for absolutely everyone).

When I was working in the call centre in Canada, there were 2 women on my team who would knit in down times.  One of them first suggested that I start knitting some socks.  It took off from there; I started knitting scarves, a blanket for my then boyfriend (he’s now ‘The Husband’), hats, Halloween and Christmas decorations, you name it.  I went to this woman’s knitting club once (maybe twice?) and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Fast forward to a friend’s house having a ‘stitch and bitch’ session not long before Keith and I decided to move to England; she said that people would love hand knit items from Canada. 

Look forward again to commuting home on the train from London to Bognor Regis for work during the week; one of my ‘commuter buddies’ made a funny comment about how I should sell my knitting on the train like they did refreshments from the trolley.

Well -  I haven't got a trolley,  but I hope everyone likes  what I do.  :0)