About me

Hello I’m Nicky Stewart! Have you ever thought about knitting a puffin, but wouldn’t know where to start? Maybe I can help! I’m a lifelong bird nerd, nature lover, and a self-taught knitter. I design and make fun and easy bird knit kits, using the birds that surround me every day as inspiration. I've been selling knitting patterns and kits in my Etsy shop for over 10 years now, and have over 14,000 happy customers there!

My bird knitting kits are designed to be relaxing and simple - perfect to inspire a beginner knitter, or as a thoughtful gift to a bird-loving friend.

Nicky Stewart bird knitting patterns designer

I started knitting in my 40s, after losing my job in publishing following a severe case of  burnout. I found knitting so therapeutic - and after learning the basics, of course I wanted to knit birds. But all the bird patterns I could find were too complicated for me. I struggle with difficult and vague instructions, so I started to write patterns for myself, that I could enjoy without tying my brain in a knot. One thing led to another, and I had my first book Knitted Birds published in 2013 by Search Press (as my previous name Nicky Fijalkowska). Since then the knitted birds and I have appeared in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch TV ad, and you may have also spotted my designs in Let's Knit magazine.

I make my kits and designs in beautiful Caithness, in the Scottish highlands. I’m surrounded by beautiful countryside and wildlife, and the peace and quiet helps me think more clearly. I use the birds that surround me every day as inspiration. It’s funny how much you notice all the little details on birds when you are knitting them. The beautiful sheen around a pigeon’s neck, the cheeky expression on a seagull’s face. Things you might overlook in the usual everyday rush and grind. 

I love it when people tell me that they had never thought that they had the skills to knit anything like a puffin or a penguin, that I’ve given them a real confidence boost. I hope that my kits will help you relax and connect with nature, and appreciate the birds that fly around you every day.