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We are Craig Carruthers and Gerard Allt.
Craig started knitting aged 7 when his mum taught him how to cast on for the first time. His first projects were clothes for his Action Man.
Gerard started knitting aged 30, when a back problem left him home alone with only daytime telly and cake with pain-killing ingredients to occupy his mind. He was taught his first stitches by the legendary Rosie Lumley. |
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I Knit started life as a small group of friends who met one night after work at a pub in Vauxhall, South London. Gerard wanted to meet other knitters who didn't mind having a pint or two as they went along, or who just wanted to get out from in front of the telly. Since that first meeting in late 2005 the I Knit London knitting group has met in over 50 venues across the capital and we continue to meet every week, attracting knitters of all ages and abilities for a social, creative and sometimes drunken experience. |
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Shortly after the first meeting, we opened a small market stall at historic Old Spitalfields Market in London's East End. Driven by a passion for more exciting yarn than the average department store, and encouraged by fellow knitters, we sourced a few gorgeous yarns and needles and cycled across London every Sunday with packed rucksacks. It was there we met hundreds of like-minded knitters, crocheters and creative types who shared their ideas and experience with us. Each Sunday was always worth that long cycle ride and very early start - even on the days we didn't sell anything, we met some lovely folk, and ate loads of organic cakes. |
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It was only a matter of time before we stumbled across an empty shop in a hidden Victorian residential street in Vauxhall. With two full-time jobs we opened the I Knit London shop and sanctuary for knitters in Bonnington Square, SW8 on September 2nd 2006; opening after work from 4pm to 9pm in the evenings.
On 15th March 2008 IKL moved to 106 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, SE1...where the licenced bar is open, the shelves are fuller than ever...and the knitting continues... |
