Handknit Hugs started back in 2008 when I decided to leave the corporate world to stay home with my 3 young children. Years later, the kids are a bit older and I am still enjoying every stitch!

The first time a picked up a pair of knitting needles I was 8 years old and spending the day with my sweet Grandmother. She patiently taught me to knit up a little blue scarf for my doll in a simple garter stitch, she added some fringe to finish it off. I was proud. About 10 years later I picked up some needles again to attempt a sad looking scarf for a boyfriend. It would be another 12 years before I would try again and this time I became completely addicted. I was home on maternity leave with my second born (first girl), struggling with the symptoms of PPD. As a distraction, I bought my first Debbie Bliss pattern book with simple baby knits and some very helpful instructions. My first project was a very ambitious little pink cardigan with pockets and buttons holes. It was well above my skill level but I was determined. There were A LOT of mistakes; dropped stitches, twisted stitches, sloppy shoulder seams and a pretty messy ribbed edging but I loved every second of the process, I had found my passion. I immediately tried more patterns, bought more books and became obsessed with wool. As more and more finished projects flew off my needles I figured out how to adapt patterns when I wanted a different look. Soon after I started designing my own patterns, most of the time in my head as I was knitting them up. Textures, fun colours, loads of character, as I was knitting up one project I would start getting excited for the next few designs I was dreaming up.

Fast forward to 5 years later, back to work after another baby I had my hands full with 3 young kids, a traveling husband and a stressful corporate job. I decided to leave my job and stay home full time with my little ones. The knitting and designing had never stopped and soon after Handknit Hugs was born. Thousands of little knit wool slippers have gone by and my kids are teenagers now, I am still knitting and creating everyday.