One rainy afternoon, my mother was at her wits end to entertain two young, bored children. She taught us to knit. My brother became a top furniture designer and upholsterer and I used to design knitwear, make it on the train during my daily commute to London and sell it to my fellow travellers (usually before it was finished). I’ve always loved good quality yarns and am delighted to be able to create my own, even having my own recipes for the colour blends.

I have owned alpacas since September 2007 and started Purl Alpaca Designs in October 2008. In August 2017, I opened my workshop/studio at the alpaca farm and welcome visitors between the hours of 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. My exclusive range of garments enhance your natural shape and are a joy to make and wear.

I have had a varied career including actress, legal assistant, recruitment consultant, business development manager and proprietor of a candle factory. Yes, I am on YouTube making candles (Hooked on Wax). After selling my business, I worked at the National Grid; after being made redundant, I decided to go to university to study for a degree. I moved to Cambridge in 2004 and graduated in 2006 with a B.A. (Hons) Degree in Communication Studies.

I am very environmentally aware and actively trying to keep our carbon footprint as small as possible. My worsted spun skeins are from my own herd of alpacas and those belonging to Dawn French only 10 minutes drive away. The fibre itself is, of course, a totally natural product and keeping alpacas is a very low carbon enterprise. Our worsted spun yarn is made by Two Rivers Mill in Dorset and the woollen spun yarn is manufactured by The Natural Fibre Company in Cornwall.

I source our packaging materials from sustainable development providers.