My love of knitting started at the age of 6 when I begged my aunt to teach me how to cast on and make a garter stitch. My next, best teacher was an old “Teach Yourself to Knit the Easy Columbia Minerva Way” booklet which is a great help for the beginning knitter. Later, my sister and I sold our knit goods through craft fairs and consignment shops for about 10 years. We specialized in producing baby clothes and toys, as well as Christmas stockings and ornaments. I became proficient in using knitting machines (I have four of them) and in designing my own patterns. My sister moved to Northern Wisconsin and opened a yarn store, Sutter’s Gold ‘N Fleece in St. Germain. (Visit her website at www.suttersgoldnfleece.com.)

In designing, I enjoy using interesting stitches and simple shapes. My aim is to write patterns that are easy to follow for both beginning or experienced knitters. Knitting allows you to create something unique and personal for your family and for yourself. I personally find it very stress relieving. As it says in the Columbia-Minerva booklet, “Don’t just sit there, knit something!”