I’d spend a bunch of time in lots of yarn stores and was always on the look out for a new store. Always looking for something new to knit or some newly released yarn. Soon the stash grew to huge proportions. And then kept growing! During the winter of 2002 I was desperate to knit a particular scarf on 10mm needles but I couldn’t find them anywhere. That initially got me thinking “if I can’t find these needles where are others finding them?”

My mum has been involved with the Fibre Industry as an Embroiderer for as long as I can remember. Because I was always aware of fibre and different things to do with fibre I was finding I was quickly becoming bored with the mainstream yarn. My sister lives in Melbourne so I was frequently visiting the yummy yarn stores there. I also had a lot of contacts through mum – wonderful knitters, crocheters, spinners and dyers. Along came another question “where can I get this in Sydney?”

For a while those 2 questions just seemed to sink into my mind.

That same year I turned 30. I got to thinking that there must be something more for me out there. I had been working in the Information Technology field since 1995. I had a fabulous job. But I also knew that I needed a change. All I knew was that I wanted to make things and of course all I wanted to be doing was knitting! I would be sitting at work thinking of my current project and longed to be working on it.

In the summer of 2003 I came up with the idea of selling scarves at a local market in the following winter. I set to making a bunch. I quickly realized that I was not fast enough and that it’s difficult in this day and age to recoup the time and money. I did at least enjoy the knitting I’d done.

I then remembered the original scarf I wanted to make on the 10mm. Off I went in search of the 10mm needles again. And again. And again. They were no where to be found. Remember I said I love to look at things and work out how to make them? Guess what I did next? I set about making my own knitting needles. My first pair took me a little over 3 hours just to shape! That’s passion! To get the right angle, the right finish. My partner and dad came home from a game of golf and saw me sitting there sanding them by hand. Both are Engineers. Both said “there’s got to be a quicker way to make those”. We all had a laugh but that’s where it all started and the idea for the market stall took a drastic change.

Knitters in Sydney didn’t have easy access to the wonderful world of handspun and dyed yarn nor did there seem to be a ready supply of knitting needles – particularly the larger sizes. I remembered my 2 questions – ”if I can’t find these needles where are others finding them?” and “where can I get this gorgeous different yarn is Sydney?” I realized the answer to both was that I simply couldn’t. Well if I couldn’t that meant that others couldn’t. I knew I had the contacts and I had now worked out what I needed to do. I’d make the needles and bring the yarn to Sydney and set up a market stall. And so it all began.

I asked Dad if he could help with the needles. He’s now my Production Manager! We make them together sometimes but really he’s the main man in that department.

The yarn was sourced and for once I was not feeling guilty about adding major stocks to my stash! What a great feeling!

I had my first market stall at North Sydney (2nd Saturday of the month) in May 2003 and wow what a response! It was fantastic. I’d set my expectations realistically as I knew that people didn’t really head to the markets to buy yarn and knitting needles. I wasn’t expecting a huge day. I also knew that I was willing to stick it out for the Winter so that the word could travel. And travel it did. I have one lovely customer that travels all the way from Lake Macquarie to visit me.

That first market was great and all since then have been even more so. I love getting out and meeting the many wonderful and extremely talented knitters that visit me. Thank you all for your wonderful support. I love hearing all your wonderful comments including “I just love your knitting needles. I’ve replaced all my yucky plastic ones!” “Oh how funky, I’ve got to have a set”.

I’ve since set up at Mosman markets (1st Saturday of the month) and the response there was stunning. You all seemed so please that I was there with my goodies. And believe me I was just as pleased. Don’t forget to pop past with your knitting and finished projects as I asked! I just know you’ll receive a whole bunch of encouraging and complimentary ohh’s and ahh’s.

The wonderful world of Lisa G has opened my eyes to many a glorious thing. I must admit that I feel so grateful for this opportunity. I feel humbled to be experiencing such a wondrous thing – the people, their talent and their passion. It’s a special “industry” to be involved with. Recently I was speaking to a gorgeous lady who owns a fabulous yarn store. We were talking about the people we’ve meet through knitting. We both agreed that we had not come across one nasty person. How special is that? I told her my story and she listened intently and simply responded “welcome home”. I certainly feel that way too.

I love knitting as a medium to make the material / garment and felting to embellish it. Crocheting a flower or two for a cute bag is also fun! Try it you’ll love it. I can almost guarantee it. Oh and remember if you drop a stitch don’t worry, just sew a bead onto it to make a feature and just pretend it was always meant to be there. It’s what makes it your very own creation. Go on, experiment, it’s wonderfully empowering!