About Gaynor
Gaynor is a crochet-obsessed teacher and pattern designer from Wokingham in Berkshire.
She learned to knit and crochet as a child, trained and worked as a French teacher for over 10 years, and then picked up her hook again 10 years ago. Gaynor jokes that she is “lucky enough to call myself a full-time hooker…”
In 2012, Gaynor set up The Barkham Hookers crochet group with a few friends in her living room. They now run 4 group sessions a week as well as many regular private lessons with over 600 members on Facebook alone. You can find them on Facbook via The Barkham Hookers’ Charity Group, where many of their charity projects can be seen.
She is very proud of the fact that The Barkham Hookers raised over £60,000 for various national and international charities, £52,000 of that for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Click here to watch Gaynor share a quick and easy method for crocheting a poppy.
Gaynor loves designing and making blankets, many of which can be found as free CALs (crochet-a-longs) on her blog: Confessions of a Barkham Hooker. During the pandemic, she designed the Coronavirus CAL, posting a new section daily then weekly with colourful pictures and detailed notes.
Signature Technique
Crochet Blankets incorporating a variety of patterns and colours
Top Tips
- Crochet is very forgiving. Don’t be afraid to adjust or change the pattern to suit your needs or likes. And remember, if in doubt pull it out!
- Use a larger hook to work a long foundation chain to avoid it curling up.
- If you work quite loosely choose a slightly smaller hook than advised and a larger hook if you work tightly.
- When working in rows do not forget to work into the last stitch – – which is probably the chain 2/3 made at the start of the previous row.
- Use military buttons as the centre in poppies to add something special.
- If you are working with several balls of yarn, chuck them on the floor and let gravity help you keep them untangled.
Videos
Patterns
Posts
Sewing Me Time in Hampshire, 21 and 22 June 2025
Date: 21 – 22 June 2025
Location: New Place Hotel, Shirrell Heath, Hampshire
Price: £440
Join us for a very special Sewing Me Time weekend. Hang out, get your projects finished, enjoy pampering time at a stunning countryside hotel..
ECT Travel Goes QUILTING USA in 2025
Go QUILTING USA with two inspiring trips. QuiltCon Modern Quilt Guild Phoenix Arizona 2025. This 8 night/9 day tour combines two inspiring days at the Modern Quilt Guild’s world class show, QuiltCon with the chance to experience the unforgettable natural wonders of Arizona. Bask in the beauty of iconic red rock formations, discover the hidden secrets of the Grand Canyon and marvel at the natural sandstone masterpieces of Monument Valley. Tuesday 18th to Wednesday 26th February 2025 AQS QuiltWeek, Paducah 2025 & the American Midwest. This 10 days/ 9 nights tour programme is filled with textile treats, including two days at the inspirational AQS Quilt Week Paducah 2025. Other quilt-themed highlights include a guided tour of the internationally renowned National Quilt Museum and Missouri Quilt Museum and a visit to Hamilton - known as 'Quilt Town USA' - home of quilter Jenny Doan and her Missouri Star Company!
AQS QuiltWeek, Paducah 2025 & the American Midwest
10 days/ 9 nights tour programme filled with textile treats, including two days at the inspirational AQS Quilt Week Paducah 2025. Plus, guided tour of the internationally renowned National Quilt Museum and Missouri Quilt Museum. A visit to Hamilton - known as 'Quilt Town USA' - home of quilter Jenny Doan and her Missouri Star Company.