about The Wool Shop
Knitting – I can barely remember it not being part of my life.
Early memories are of my grandfather showing me the knit and purl stitches on 4” (10cm) nails with string, much the same as he had taught my mother, only she was using bicycle spokes and fine yarn! I don’t think there has been a time since without a project (or 5) on the needles. Mind you, some of those projects can sit around for a while as styles change and sometimes the fibre isn’t really the right one for the job.
When your hobby becomes your business the time for that hobby becomes limited, so it is in the evening that most of my knitting is done.
Days are taken up running “The Wool Shop” (formerly Tasmanian Wool Suppliers Pty Ltd). The shop was opened in 1995 just three doors from our present address. It was about 1/3rd the size of the current shop and was very “cosy”. I remember walking into the empty space of where we are now and thinking “I am never going to fill this place”. But I did. Now I wonder where the new seasons stock is going to go!
The enthusiasm and “can do” attitude of the new generation knitters is such fun. This generation of knitters are intrepid. They see something they want to do and go for it – usually with amazing success.
They are knowledgeable about the needles and accessories they use. When I first started knitting any needles would do. That is until I was able to “acquire” some of my mother’s tortoiseshell needles and then I was hooked. Luckily I inherited a huge supply of those which kept me going for many years and still sit beside my chair in a huge flower jug. Lately though they have taken back seat to the Symphonie interchangeable circulars – a beautiful laminated birch that make you want to knit. These are the choice of many of the younger knitters, which is very interesting as they are using the circular needles as opposed to the more conventional straights. This should also prolong their knitting life as circular knitting is far more ergonomic, relieving weight on elbows and shoulders.
After 17 years in one business, even if it is your hobby, enthusiasm can wane, but not for long mainly because of the Tuesday and Friday afternoon knitting girls that come and sit at our big table. Tuesday’s was the sock group and Friday was the “Shawly Knots” but somehow over the years it has just become the regular knit afternoons and some amazing projects have come out of those afternoon gatherings – not too many shawls though because it is often a little hard to concentrate with the chatter and laughter. The “girls” are also very happy to pass on their knowledge to beginners or indeed anyone looking for advice on a pattern problem (or anything else for that matter).
It really is a great business to be in because everyone who walks in the door wants to be there. They know it is not going to be a chore, like the supermarket, and that either myself or my assistant, Maureen, will do all we can to see that they get the help they need.
This is a service that continues with our on-line customers. Watch for our Lace knitting and felting classes in 2012. These are usually held on a Saturday afternoon when the shop is closed, or demonstrations on the Ashford Knitter’s Loom for anyone who has bought or is looking to buy. The felting classes especially are a lot of fun as everyone gets to play, and then go home with a nuno felted scarf after a couple of hours work.
Spinning is also slowly becoming an addiction and I am having a quiet love affair with my Ashford Joy. So relaxing! One day I hope to be competent enough to enter the Longest Thread Competition at the Bothwell International Highland SpinIn however I can’t imagine ever being able to spin 10gr and plying it to anywhere near 1000mts!