’If anything is worth doing, it’s worth doing properly’ my dad would always say. It’s something that’s stuck with me and not unsurprising really as even after 30+ years it’s his favourite phase and is still influencing my approach to everything I do. 

After a breakup in my early 20’s I moved to London, vowing to be independent and find a way of supporting myself. I took a job in banking - y’know just for a year, it’ll look good on my CV…

Years later, I was still in banking. The job had changed, I had climbed the ladder and moved up through the ranks. But, I’d also realised that I didn’t belong in this world. I felt out of place and misunderstood and just didn't enjoy it. But living in London, on my own, in my 30’s was expensive and meant that I struggled to make an exit. They talk about golden handcuffs - well they are real. 

an intro to knitting ...

Thanks to an unexpected introduction I found knitting. It quickly became the start of an obsession. Knitting became an escape from work, I was immediately hooked and taught myself from youtube videos, I took myself off to knitting classes, and really began to connect with other knitters. 

I slowly discovered my people as I started to connect with other knitters through social media and going to classes, knit nights and yarn events, To my surprise, there was a world of knitters out there who weren’t your stereotypical ‘little old lady’ trope

After a week retreat with yarny business owners, spending time envious of their businesses and creative lives, it was back to work for me but my longing to have a creative job grew, but it was a while before that dream really started. 

Knitting really is a rabbit hole of yarns, accessories and patterns that in the early days I just wasn’t expecting. When it came to selecting accessories I just couldn’t find any project bags that reflected my style – so I got the sewing machine out and made my own. Encouraged by my friends The Little Grey Girl (TLGG) began, it was the perfect distraction from the 9-5 and another way to get creative. 

TLGG was always a business from the word go, after all, if something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly – and my first-ever customer is still a customer today. I sent press releases, contacted magazines and I vended at Edinburgh Yarn Festival in my first 6 months of business! Nothing half-hearted about this venture.

and now ...