About
Knitting is a wonderfully creative craft, but it's also full of fascinating structure, problem-solving and possibilities. I believe that understanding how knitting works can help you become a more confident, creative and independent knitter.
Through practical teaching, thoughtful design support and professional technical editing, I help knitters and designers understand their craft more deeply and move forward with confidence.
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.
Meet Donna Jones
Handknitting Designer : Tech Editor : Educator
Collaborations: If you are an independent dyer or yarn company looking to team up with a designer, get in touch to explore how this could work.
Tech editing: Donna works with new and independent designers as well as more established companies & publishers. References available on request.
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’ve a keen interest in the importance of creativity for health and wellbeing and firmly believe that everyone (and yes that includes you!) has the potential to be creative.
I live and work in South Wales UK and share a home with my musician husband, Dave, and a very pampered cat.
My Mum taught me to knit when I was around 4 years old - probably to keep me quiet for 5 mins! Dad did too—I still smile remembering a long armed Humpty Dumpty he knitted for me. Mum worked at the local wool shop, with me often in tow, so my lifelong love of yarn began.
I love sharing this enthusiasm for the craft with my knitting patterns, in my blog and tutorials.
When I'm not knitting ....
I love creating things, solving puzzles and playing with colour and texture. Over the years I’ve explored a whole array of arts & crafts, drawing and creative textile art are amongst my current favourites.
I love going with hubby for long scenic walks in our beautiful welsh countryside and beaches (especially if there's a nice pub at the end of it!), and spending time at home with the fur babies.
Oh, and also have an allotment which is one of my favourite places to be.
Donna’s 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.
What folk are saying…..
Jules 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.
Sian Thomas says…
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.
Caterina Dodaro 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!
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!”