Cherry Tree Knits: How Kellie Wove Creativity Into Her Life

This week’s PowerWomen spotlight is on Kellie Walker, the creative force behind Cherry Tree Knits. Who says motherhood and a career leave no room for creativity? Kellie has cracked the code: carving out space for her passion, building a business on her own terms, and proving you really can make money doing what you love, alongside a career you also love! 

True powerwomen vibes emit from Kellie, and we’re delighted to share her story. Here’s Kellie's story:

Where It All Began

I started Cherry Tree Knits in the summer of 2021, just before my daughter, my third child, was born. I’d spotted embroidered pieces on Pinterest and, with a huge pile of beautiful Nanna knits, I thought, “Why not customise my own instead of buying new?”

I shared a few photos on my personal socials and, before long, people were messaging me asking if I could do one for them too. It snowballed from there, I began personalising knitted cardigans and denim jackets for friends, then moved onto Facebook, and eventually Etsy. At one point, I was the second search result on Google for personalised knitwear. I couldn’t believe it.

That success gave me the chance to take extended maternity leave and build a loyal customer base. People came back time and time again, often for their most special moments, baby announcements, big brother/big sister knits, wedding keepsakes, and christening gifts. I’ve met some truly lovely people through it all.

When I returned to my ‘full-time’ role in the Police, demand was too high to keep up with Etsy. I came off the platform, moved fully onto socials, and avoided those dreaded fees. I now sell directly through Instagram and Facebook, with SumUp as my platform, and I’ve been able to keep my Police role part-time thanks to the income from Cherry Tree.

Recently, I made a big decision to shift my business model: I now sell only handknit items. This was risky because my chunky jumpers were bestsellers, but it seems to have paid off.

The Highs and the Hard Lessons

I’ll never forget the thrill of my first Etsy sale. I’ve always been creative, I got one of the highest marks in my Art GCSE, but I never really had the confidence to pursue it. Getting such encouraging feedback, then having to create waiting lists because demand was too high… it was overwhelming, but amazing too.

Not everything has been smooth sailing, though. In 2022, I did two Christmas markets and sold nothing. I was gutted and honestly thought about giving up. But after reflecting, I realised I’d misunderstood what people wanted from those events. I’ve since learned to research my audience, offer products at different price points, and not to feel pressured to fit into the traditional “craft market” model. In fact, I’ve had just as much exposure,  if not more, from people simply wearing my knits at events like Tynwald Day and the Royal Show.

I’ve also learned the hard way about burnout. My Police role is stressful, and juggling that with four children, Rupert (10), Henry (5), Violet (4), and Bertie (11 months), is tough. Knitting started as my outlet to de-stress, but when it becomes your job too, it can add pressure. That’s why I keep personal projects on the go,  things just for me, with no pressure of perfection.

Another challenge has been navigating the shift from hobby to business. It means saying “no” a lot more than you want to, even to friends and family. And, of course, dealing with competition. There are now lots of small businesses offering similar products, sometimes at cheaper prices. I try to see that as motivation to evolve and push myself.

Pricing has also been tricky. Handmade will never compete with Zara or Next on cost, but people don’t always understand the hours that go into creating each piece. Crocheting elements alone can take hours before I even start assembling, embroidering, and finishing the garment. My rule? Value your craft. Don’t undersell yourself.

And then there’s social media, my love/hate relationship. I’d rather be making than posting, but in today’s world, visibility is part of the job.

Why I Love It

Despite the challenges, running a small business on my own terms is something I treasure. I choose my hours, I bring my work with me, and yes, sometimes that means knitting late at night when I probably should be spending time with my partner, but the flexibility means I can work fewer hours in my day job, and that’s worth it.

I’m always told, “I don’t know how you have the time!” The truth is, I don’t. I make it. Ten minutes in the car, fifteen minutes while feeding the baby, an hour in front of the TV, it all adds up. If you want to make it work, you’ll find a way.

There’s nothing better than seeing my creations out in the world, whether it’s a knit spotted at Tynwald Day, or a baby announcement I’ve helped bring to life. Those moments make it all worthwhile.

Advice to Other Women

• Have confidence in your craft. Your time, skill, and experience deserve to be valued.

• Set boundaries. Decide how you’ll take orders, how much you’ll charge, and stick to it, even with friends and family.

• Invest in your product. Don’t cut corners. Research, test, and put the effort in, customers return when they love what you’ve made.

• Be patient. Building a business takes time. Focus on quality over quantity and let your work speak for itself.

  
  

What’s Next

Since shifting to handknit-only, the response has been incredible. I now work with knitters on the Isle of Man and in the UK to help me meet demand, and I’d love to build a stock of both adult and children’s knits.

Long term, my dream would be to open a small shop, though I’d probably have to knit 100+ hours a week to keep it stocked! For now, I’m content. If Cherry Tree continues to support my reduced Police hours and grows steadily, that feels like success.

Personally, I want to push myself out of my comfort zone. I’ve promised to start a TikTok to document my process, even though I hate being on video. I know growth comes from stretching yourself, so this is my challenge to myself for the year ahead.

Kellie’s story is such a good reminder that creativity can be both a sanctuary and a springboard. She’s shown us that it’s possible to build something meaningful without sacrificing authenticity, and that boundaries, courage, and belief in your craft matter just as much as talent.

At Level Up, we’re all about celebrating women like Kellie, women balancing careers, kids, creativity, and still daring to dream. Her knits carry love and legacy in every stitch, and her journey is proof that with persistence and passion, you really can create the life you want.

Stories like Kellie’s spark ideas and confidence for all of us. Who else do you know who deserves the spotlight? Tag them, we’d love to feature more PowerWomen.