I am in my mid fifties and I have been both travelling and knitting since I was 7 years old. We took a trip around Europe before emigrating to Canada from England. My Aunty Corrine and mother taught me how to knit that year. I remember learning how to knit in a van. I am now up to 47 countries in my travels. When I am at home, I knit in all the spare time I have between work, going to movies, and playing games on my phone.
I am in the historic cooking unit at Upper Canada Village. We demonstrate cooking in the 1860’s on a wood fired cook stove in one house and an open hearth in two others, using historic recipes from the time.
I first designed a few hats when my now 20 year old daughter Heather was 10 and I was doing a project for my OHS Hand spinning Certificate. I created the hats in an effort to showcase my fictitious line of handspun yarns. Over time i have returned to the project of making original hats. On the day I started this blog, I had designed and knit 98 of these hats.
Currently I am in working on a project which involves using the over 500 stitches in A Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker. I am over 300 so far and hope to finish by the 50th anniversary of its publication in 2018. If you just want pictures, you can try my Pinterest page.
gillianknits 
So nice that you have been able to pursue a career in something that you so obviously love! My grandmother loved to knit and crochet too and made all the grandchildren things, tablecloths for the daughter in laws! I belong to a community organization that has a knitting group. I’ll let the leader know of your blog! Too bad you are up in Brockville – they don’t often have visitors but sometimes they do. They meet on a Thursday afternoon in Woodbridge – at the northwest corner of Toronto. They are mostly seniors who just love to be together and do something with their hands while they are at it. Good luck with the blog! Was it difficult to put together?
Heather
Hi, I was wondering if you used 2 strands held together on your Dr. Who Fez or just a single strand? I am using Paton’s Classic Wool for this project. My father in law (93 years) wants a Fez after I gave him one of my felted bowls so your fez pattern is perfect. Thanks for your answer… can you send it to my email directly?
One strand…
Hi Gillian Knits! I was looking at your felted fez pattern as a friend of mine has asked me to felt her a couple of fezzes! The pattern makes sense, but you don’t give a needle size! Help! Does it matter, or should I just use the size recommended on the wool? Thank you in advance for getting back to me in regards to this!
Libby
Hi Libby….yes, I just used the recommended size on Patons Classic Wool (worsted weight, not the washable stuff), which 4 1/2 mm needles. That is all I ever use with this wool. I now own way more 16″ circulars in this size than anyone really ought to. Good luck. It is funny, someone else made a fez too. Hers worked out nicely..she sent me a picture.. good luck…let me know if there are any other questions