Hi! I’m Nicki, and I love making things. Usually, you will find me knitting, crocheting or stitching.
As a child, I loved making things. I learnt many styles of embroidery and crochet, but no matter how hard I tried and no matter who tried to teach me, I couldn’t learn to knit. In my late teens, I decided that there was no reason why I shouldn’t be able to knit. I borrowed a book from our local library and noticed a line that said, “left-handed people should try …”.
Eureka! I’m left-handed, and that is how I learnt to knit.
Later, I became a biochemist and then a biology teacher. In my spare time, I continued to crochet, knit and stitch, attending workshops, joining a creative knitting group and eventually designing my own projects. I wanted to spend even more time being creative, so I studied Fashion Knitwear Design at Nottingham Trent University and followed by an MA in Fashion and Textiles.
Today, through Being Knitterly, I share my passion for knitting, crochet and embroidery while helping others improve their wellbeing through creativity.
These crafts involve rhythmic, repetitive stitching that many people find calming. They require few tools, are portable, and offer endless opportunities for learning new skills.
In my creative wellbeing sessions, I inspire people to try something new, teach them techniques, and support their projects in a relaxed and social environment. I run creative Therapeutic Textiles sessions for Headway Nottingham and have delivered creative wellbeing workshops for the University of Nottingham Nursing and Midwifery Association and the University of Derby Students’ Union.
I love seeing people transform from reluctant participants into strong advocates for the benefits of knitting, crocheting or embroidery.
I also teach workshops for knitters who want to develop their skills. My workshops are calm and supportive, filled with the gentle buzz of conversation as people connect and learn together.
Through my Being Knitterly workshops, patterns and blog posts, I help people knit more comfortably and confidently. My patterns include tips for achieving a great finish. They are available in both a standard version for right-handed knitters and an alternative version for left-handed knitters who move their stitches from the right-hand to the left-hand needle.
Enjoy making.
Love what you make.
Make mindfully!