About
Knitting is a wonderfully creative craft, and it's also full of fascinating structure, problem-solving and possibilities.
Whether you’re developing your knitting skills, exploring your own design ideas or preparing a pattern for publication, my aim is to offer clear, practical support that helps you move forward with confidence.
For knitters
Practical advice, thoughtful teaching and inspiration to help you understand your knitting more deeply, develop your skills and make more confident, creative choices.
For aspiring designers
Clear, practical guidance to help you develop your ideas, understand the design process and turn your knitting into well-written, workable patterns.
For professional designers and publications
Experienced technical editing, grading and pattern support to help you produce clear, accurate and reliable patterns for publication.
Interested in working together?
Meet Donna Jones
Handknit Designer : Technical Editor : Knitting Educator
I've been knitting for over fifty years, but my passion has never been just about creating finished projects. What fascinates me is understanding how things work and helping others build the confidence to develop their own skills and creativity.
Alongside developing my work with knitting, I spent many years working in health and social care, progressing into management and service development roles before taking early retirement in 2026. Whether I was developing new services, supporting teams, or helping people navigate life-changing challenges, I was always drawn to teaching, problem-solving and helping others grow.
Those same qualities shape my work in knitting today. As a designer, technical editor, author and magazine contributor, I enjoy helping knitters look beyond simply following instructions to understand the craft more deeply. My aim is to help you develop skills, confidence and creative freedom, so you can make informed choices, solve problems, and get even more enjoyment from your knitting.
I’m especially interested in the connection between creativity and wellbeing, and in helping people build confidence in their own creative abilities.
I live and work in South Wales with my husband, Dave, who is a jazz musician, and our thoroughly pampered cat.
My mum taught me to knit when I was around four years old—probably in the hope of keeping me quiet for five minutes. My dad knitted too, and I still smile when I remember the wonderfully long-armed Humpty Dumpty he made for me. Mum worked for the owner of our local wool shop, with me often in tow, so yarn and knitting have been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
When I'm not knitting ....
I enjoy drawing, creative textile work and anything that lets me play with colour, texture or ideas. I’m happiest walking through the Welsh countryside or along the coast—especially when there’s a good pub at the end—or spending time at my allotment, which has become one of my favourite places to be.
My design style is warmly rustic, reflecting a deep love of nature, colour and quirky detail - designs and yarn preferences express an appreciation of functional and comforting knitting, with intriguing structural elements or decorative touches.
Donna Jones Designs is about creating thoughtful knitting that is both beautiful and useful: projects with character, purpose and a playful spark, designed to be made, worn and enjoyed often. Inspired by nature, folk art and the possibilities of knitting itself, my work brings together creativity, clear construction and carefully considered details—sometimes practical, sometimes unexpected and often a little whimsical.
What folk are saying…..
Donna's lichen mittens tempted me back to knitting with a lovely, easy to follow pattern. Since then I have got back my confidence to tackle other projects and have a secret supply of wool growing under my bed.
Sian Thomas says…
I love your patterns - what makes them stand out are the details like the birds feet on the reverse of the garden song cushion and the picot cast off.
Jules says…
This was my first ever experience with stranded knitting, fair isle, steeking. The pattern is very easy to follow, with clear instructions and the design itself is just right for me as a beginner. I am glad that I took this challenge as I learnt new techniques and I have a beautiful cowl to wear!
Caterina Dodaro says…
Clara (Florida USA) says…
“While knitting during the lockdown I downloaded a load of patterns and found myself trying to remember the instructions of brackets and parentheses. You were my saviour! I went into your site and found loads of great resources with detailed information to ease my doubts and help me finish my projects. If in doubt, your website is my first go-to place. Thank you!”