My real name is Christine M Woolley and I’ve been knitting since my dad taught me when I was just 3 years old.

I began knitting for Ray Of Hope in 2004 when I was suffering from depression and wanted to do something to take the focus off myself and make a difference to someone, and it worked!

I love knitting from the top down and am always looking to adapt patterns to make them seamless - love knitting, hate sewing up, LOL.

2010 was a great year! Two ladies I’d met on Ravlery, and I, began a local group Stourbridge Sticks & Strings which goes from strength to strength. We have a wonderful group of knitters from all backgrounds and all ages, and really enjoy our fortnightly meetings.

During 2011, I happened across designer Vera Sanon and began test knitting. I joined the Free Pattern Testers group in December that year and am now hooked on testing, and testing shawls in particular. The only problem is what to do with them all!

2017 and I am now knitting almost exclusively for charity. I really need to reduce my huge stash and am furiously knitting blankets, mostly for the Methodist Church’s appeal to send items to Africa. They have their own transport so I know things get to where they’re needed. I’m also knitting for local charities, Mary Stevens Hospice, and Operation Santa which helps deprived kids in my area.

2020: Nothing much has changed, but thanks to Covid 19 my husband and I are self isolating as we’re both in the elderly and vulnerable group! One of my knitting groups lost the contact with the Methodist Church group who send stuff to Rwanda, but a local school operates Project Gambia which takes items out twice a year so I still have three outlets for my knitting relaxed

PS!! My Ravelry number is 142243