Charley Dunning//Knit Nerds

Before jumping into another knit nerds interview, I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has commented here and left me lovely messages over on Ravelry - it has been truly appreciated. I am slowly starting to feel better, and I'm taking time to get things done a small step at a time. So who have we got today on knit nerds? I met Charley through ravelry over the course of knit and crochet blog week - and I have to say I loved her down-to-earthness and her knitting is pretty perfect (not to mention she has the sweetest niece). So here she is:

How long have you been knitting, and who taught you?

When I was about 9 or 10, my Great Grandmother taught me to cast on and knit, she was partially blind so I have no idea how she managed to teach me. I didn't end up picking up the needles again until I was almost 17, when I became housebound with my M.E & Fibromylagia. My Mum showed me the basics, but I've had to teach myself from that point on. I've been knitting a year now, and I love it!

 

What is your favourite thing to knit?

Well, I have just started knitting socks, and I can't seem to stop! So I would have to say socks, but before them I was obsessed with knitting fingerless mittens.

Who is your biggest knitting inspiration?

I would have to say my Mum. Although she doesn't knit (she can do that basics, but that is as far as she ever learnt), she is always interested in what I'm making. She asks questions about what I'm knitting and what yarn I'm using, and what mix it is (her favourite is merino/cashmere mix). She gives me ideas for patterns, and as she is an artist she always has a billion ideas about yarn colours for when I start dyeing. So yes, my Mum is my biggest inspiration!

 

What is your favourite finished object of your own?

I would have to say my first pair of socks. I loved, loved, loved, knitting them. I used the pattern 8 Stitches per Inch by Ann Budd. I had a total fangirl moment when Ann commented on my sock project page on Ravelry!

What has been your favourite thing to design so far?

I would have to say my Pixie Mitts. Slip Stitch colourwork is one of my favourite techniques, so incorporating it with Rib (another favourite) was a sure winner for me!

What led you to designing your own pieces?

I had only been knitting about 3 months, but already I had so many ideas for patterns that I thought knitters should create. No one was interested in taking my ideas and making them into patterns, so I decided to do it myself. I just create things that I personally would knit, and I try to make the designs as simple as possible. I hate when patterns are overly complicated! I've designed 10 patterns so far, but I have 4 more designs I have releasing during May and many more I'll be creating over the next couple of months.

If you could give three pieces of knitting advice, what would they be?

1. Always challenge yourself!

2. Don't make knitting stressful by setting loads of deadlines, knitting is meant to be fun remember?

3. Make sure you knit for yourself every once in a while.

 

Thank you so much to Charlotte for her lovely interview; you can leave her some love here or pop over to her blog, An Accidental Knitter. You can also find her on Ravelry and check out her free patterns on her Rav Designers page.

 

I'm hoping to get back to posting a little more regularly now - so look out for a WIP Wednesday post from me in a few days. Also check back next Monday as I have another fabby interview to look out for.

 

V xo