How Hampshire woman’s virtual academy gained more than 52,000 YouTube subscribers and built a thriving online knitting community

‘Hampshire girl’ Hannah Gilly has fond memories of borrowing crafting books from the local library each week. Now she’s proud to be part of a new wave of makers, blending traditional craft with digital media to keep knitting alive for future generations. Arts editor TRISH LEE talks to the Knit with Hannah virtual knitting academy founder.

KNITTING has been a lifelong passion for Hannah Gilly, founder of Knit With Hannah, a virtual knitting academy and YouTube channel with more than 52,000 subscribers, based from her home studio in Whitchurch. It also became her personal anchor, helping her navigate chronic health challenges and inspiring her to build this thriving online knitting community.

She turns 50 this year and started knitting in 1979 when she was four-and-a-half, after Father Christmas left a knitting kit in her stocking.

“I was fascinated by it, with my Mum putting the first stitches on the needle, I began knitting row after row of a teddy bear scarf. It may have taken many months to decide it was time to cast off, but I was proud of the finished result.

“I still have it, it’s a lovely reminder of how far I’ve come.”

Knitting has undergone a resurgence.

“Knitting grew a great deal during the pandemic, for a few reasons.

“Many finally had time to try something they’d always wanted to add to their lives. But most importantly, knitting is proven to be relaxing and comforting. Those who picked it up with that in mind, or discovered the benefits later, have often continued.

“Knitting has brought so much to so many,” champions Hannah. “Improved mental health, patience, moments of flow, and a powerful reminder that small, repeated actions create something beautiful. There are physical benefits too, with mobility and dexterity for fingers and hands being top of the list.

Hannah launched her YouTube channel in March 2017.

“For years, I’d tried to build a creative business – sewing, painting, even knitting items to sell, but my health – ME and epilepsy – made it impossible to sustain. I couldn’t get out to markets, and the internet was slow and clunky – if you couldn’t code, you were stuck.”

During a prolonged period of further ill health she’d been watching YouTube craft and knitting videos but struggled to find a voice that reflected British knitters.

“Much of what was available focused on American styles – brilliant, but different to how I’d learned here in the UK. I felt like a lone knitter, so wanted to change that, not just for me, but for others who felt that too. As my health improved and I was able to knit more regularly again, I was inspired even more.”

Friends, family and my sister had often told Hannah that she explained knitting clearly – better than some teachers they’d learned from – so in spring 2016 she uploaded a few patterns to Ravelry and was surprised when they sold.

“It gave me the push I needed.

“So, as I had an iPod touch with a camera and wi-fi, an iPad which I could use to edit the videos, I began.

“It was a brave move, but I’d been soaking up entrepreneurial advice, especially about starting small and speaking to your audience. I didn’t have an audience, so my husband Nick and I spent a week building a website – so much easier than my first attempt 15 years earlier.”

The name Knit With Hannah came to her during an afternoon nap... “And off I went. I connected my YouTube videos to the website blog and linked to my Ravelry patterns too.”

In that first year, she joined an online group for creative women, two of who are still friends and business buddies today.

“We meet regularly for accountability and share how we’re getting on. That group gave me confidence in my work – the 35 YouTube subscribers that I gained in the first nine months wasn’t going to do that.”

She also started an email list early on, which grew slowly but gave her another reason to keep going. Through knit-alongs, patterns, digital courses, and the YouTube channel, the growth has been steady – erratic at times due to the pandemic and Hannah’s own health setbacks, including long Covid, but she has an audience that responds and appreciates the content she delivers.

And knitting has helped Hannah with mental health challenges.

“Knitting has been my rock. As a teenager, it was always there for me when friendships weren’t. After tea, I’d settle with a project, some Red Dwarf or Blankety Blank, and lose myself in crafting.

“Like playing the piano – another anchor for me – knitting taught me to appreciate slow, steady progress. When I became ill at 12, that mattered. Small victories mattered. Knitting became a metaphor for life: a reminder that persistence and patience create something meaningful over time. I learned to appreciate small victories in a longer improvement over time. I’ll always believe that will have my back no matter what. It’s always been there, and I truly believe it always will be.”

So local knitters are finding community in a digital world.

“Many small local yarn shops have either closed or have become specialist and those space, for knitters, were once community hubs. I have often heard from knitters in the US, who must travel across state lines to find a ‘local’ yarn shop. Knitting online has brought people together.”

Online knitting communities have changed that –YouTubers, Instagrammers and more make it clear none of us are alone.

“We’re all experiencing the same knitting successes and disasters. We’re faced with projects we consider abandoning, yarn stash guilt, and the thrill of finishing something beautiful.

“I love that I can be part of that connection. In YouTube comments, on posts, and inside private knit-alongs, knitters chat, share, and support one another. We may be miles apart and in small locations, but the digital world has made it possible to grow in our knitting side by side.”

Who should knit? “Anyone. Knitting is wonderfully accessible, all you need is a ball of yarn and a pair of needles. The resources are everywhere. Whether you’re learning from a library book (I’m currently filming series of videos about beginner knitting books, with some reviews – stay tuned!), a friend, or an online video, knitting is open and available like never before.

“Knitting has been a lifelong passion, but it also became my personal anchor, helping me navigate chronic health challenges and inspiring me to build a thriving online knitting community.

“Today, I teach people of all ages the joy of knitting, from 30-somethings who picked up the craft during lockdown to 80-somethings looking for companionship through creativity.”

Visit https://knitwithhannah.co.uk/ for information on Knit with Hannah.