About Me

Tina Barrett is a multi disciplinary Textile Artist, writer and teacher living in the Ocean City of Plymouth. Formerly based in Cornwall, Tina's primary practice was as a handknit and crochet designer. With over 20 years experience in the industry, her career includes design work for yarn companies such as Blacker Yarns, Mila Mia, Artesano and Cornish Organic Wool. She has also designed prolifically for most of the UK Craft Magazines. Her list of published craft books can be found here.

In 2002 she was shortlisted for the WHSmith Raw Talent Award for Fiction. Her fiction titles can be found here.

She is lead teacher for the Janner Gansey Project and appeared on The Game of Wool : Series 2/Episode 2 to talk Ganseys.

Whilst, living in Cornwall, Tina discovered Mary Wright's book: Cornish Guernseys and Knitfrocks. It took her straight down a rabbit hole especially as she lived only a stone's throw from Polperro, a significant centre for contract knitting throughout the Gansey's heyday. As she began knitting Ganseys for herself, she found connection with the women and families who used their skills to supplement their income whilst the men were at sea. Stitches hold memories and stories of their own. Every stitch is filled with intention for the wearer and thus each Gansey holds it's own tale.

She consequently met and became good friends with Mary Wright but that is another tale. So linger awhile and enjoy reading through these pages. You will find something about the humble Gansey that goes straight to your heart.