I learned to knit as a child - my mother was an incredible knitter and made us a lot of knitted garments, including a horrendous bathing suit (!!!!) and a jumper with a fair isle yoke that was so beautiful I grieved when I grew out of it. In my teens I knitted a pair of gloves, but they felted badly and I lost interest in the craft.

Fast forward to age about 60, when I was given a pair of hand-knitted socks. I was beyond thrilled, and set out to learn how to knit them myself. What really set me on fire was discovering the advances in yarn. Not just machine-washable merino, though that is brilliant, but the number of independent dyers creating the most sensational colours and effects. My sock drawer is now ablaze with colour, and all my friends and family flaunt socks, shawls and scarves I've knitted. Along the way I was introduced to Ravelry and its forums and patterns, and I attended several yarn festivals where I got to fan-girl over my favourite designers and dyers. Such fun!

My ambition is to knit myself a beautiful jumper with a fair isle yoke. I've had a few goes at colour work but it went badly, so I'm going to find a workshop and learn properly.