I learned to knit in 1978.

I was in the fourth year of primary school. I remember it clearly. I attended the Carlton Gardens Primary School, an old turn of the century brown brick building as many of the schools are in inner Melbourne.

It was directly opposite the Carlton Gardens and a short walk from home which at the time, was the infamous (and rough) Albion Hotel on Lygon Street where my father was the publican.

Every Friday, we had the afternoon dedicated to crafts at school. Knitting was offered and I also remember tee shirt tie-dying. I can’t remember the others but I took to knitting.

We were shown how to use the needles and knit a basic scarf and I fell in love with it. When the time came to switch crafts, I wanted to finish my scarf and by that stage I was asking mum to buy me my own knitting needles and yarn.

As she crochets, and doesn’t knit, she did the best she could to buy what I needed and I was set. I started to knit and learn from the teachers and anyone else who would show me. Over the years, I borrowed books from the library and just taught myself.

I have no idea why this craft just felt right to me.

My mother, over the years has stored some of my knitted projects. I’ve lost count how many I’ve done. It would be hundreds of different projects from beanies, scarves, shawls, vests, jumpers, berets, gloves, socks, blankets, even a QR code once. ?

My mum recently found an old cardigan I knitted with 3/4 sleeves.

In my younger years, I only knitted with acrylic as my mum bought yarn and we didn’t know any better. (Now I only knit with quality natural fibres). When I saw the cardigan, I exclaimed delight because not only is it now fashionable to wear bulky cardigans, the colour is unusual. A cross between pink and apricot – truly an 80s colour! After washing it in wool mix and drying it flat, it came out a treat. I can now wear it again 30 or so years later.

I’m so happy my mum kept my knitting projects as now, at 52 I’m appreciative of being able to have stuck with a craft that I can call my own and one that is self taught. Every knitted project is one that has a story. Whether it’s something I’m creating to wear for myself or to gift to others, it’s an expression of joy to be able to create something with my own hands.