Tricoter, pronounced (tree co tay) is French meaning 'to knit'. I have always enjoyed crafting, in particular knitting. I started knitting when I was 9, learning from my Mother as well as friends' mothers during the winter months.

My Grandmother was an amazing knitter and I was fortunate to inherit all her knitting needles, patterns and wool. Unfortunately she was never able to teach me as I was only seven when she passed away, but I have memories of her always busy working on projects. I enjoy using bright colours and various wool types including natural wool, possum, merino, alpaca, acrylic, bamboo and cotton blends to create clothing and accessories for babies and children.

My product range also includes toys, tea cosies and adult fashion accessories such as infinity scarves. Shopping for wool is always fun, trying to find a bargain and imagining what will be created from it. When I was young, I have memories of shopping with Mum at 'Mrs Popes' in central Christchurch, it was a haberdashery and wool shop which has since disappeared in the early 1990's. We would look in the bargain bins for balls of wool for small projects such as toys. Nowadays, when visiting other towns and cities in New Zealand and overseas, local wool shops are always on my itinerary. It is great to see knitting having a revival and no longer considered an 'old fashioned' hobby.

I’ve always loved creating and making things. I have good memories as a child spending time with my Dad in his garage helping build all kinds of things including furniture for my dolls house, then learning to sew with my Mum and making dolls clothes.

That love of sewing led me to complete a diploma in fashion and design and then I spent a few years in the fashion industry as a pattern maker. 3 children later and my creativity turned to making kids clothes, bedding and furnishings. I always love the challenge of something new and enjoy trying different creative techniques.

After the earthquakes we had no power and water for a few months, we also had a houseful of family and relatives. I took up knitting in earnest as a peaceful pastime for my mind in the midst of the chaos. I started with scarves then after trying to buy a chunky knit blanket I decided to knit my own. Many unravelled meters of knitting later and I had perfected the pattern. Family and friends started requesting them and I started selling them, originally as a fundraiser to send my girls overseas for dance competitions and it has since grown from there.

I’m currently taking painting lessons which has unlocked a past passion that I gave up while child rearing. I love the process of creating, making something from nothing, making some thing beautiful and whole out of bits and pieces. The opportunity to work with like minded people at PIF and work in the beautiful shop is definitely uplifting and inspiring.