Author: Rebecca Willis

Online shopping has become part of everyday life for many of us, whether it’s ordering groceries for delivery, buying gifts for friends and family, or treating ourselves. However, I don’t think you can beat going into a physical shop, choosing from the items in front of you and walking away with your purchase there and then.

When it comes to yarn craft, there’s also something about being around like-minded people who get it and I think this quote sums it up:
‘In a yarn store, you never have to explain why you’ve got four bags and six projects with you. We get it. It’s so wonderful to have a place where you can come flop down, pick up your project, and not have to listen to anyone tell you about how their grandmother used to knit/crochet, and what a dying art it is, and how they just don’t have time to do it…We speak your language, and we share your perspective.’ (Crazy for Ewe)

There are also lots of other reasons why I would suggest buying from a local yarn store. Here are 10 of them, in no particular order:

1. See and feel the quality of the yarn – While it’s easy enough to buy yarn online (I’m an online stockist too) being able to make your choice by picking up different balls of yarn, seeing the actual colour and feeling the texture, makes it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.
   
   
2. Instant satisfaction – If you’ve got an idea for a project and you can’t wait to get started, if you pop down to your local yarn store, you can choose what you want, walk away with it in your bag and crack on with your knitting or crocheting, without having to wait for a delivery.
   
   
3. Screen free shopping – I know I’d much rather go into a yarn shop than get involved in endless online scrolling, to find what I’m looking for. If you haven’t got a local yarn store and you don’t want to scroll, I do sell yarn from my online store too. I stock Drops yarn, in a wide range of colours, because it’s made from natural fibres, uses skin-friendly dyes, is sustainable and fair and the price is competitive and affordable for most.
   
   
4. Get advice from experts – The people who will serve you in your local yarn store will most likely have a passion for yarn craft and a bucket load of experience and enthusiasm – whether it’s the shop owner, or yarn-loving staff members. They will generally be able to advise you on hooks and needles, the type of yarn you’ll need and recommend any alternatives or substitutions, if you want to adapt a pattern.
   
   
5. Chat with other yarn crafters – Whether it’s a conversation with the person behind the counter, or with others shopping for yarn, it’s good to have a chat with people who share your interest and passion. 
   
   
6. Find new patterns – When I’m in a yarn store, I love a good browse through new patterns, to get ideas for future projects. 
   
   
7. Get ideas and inspiration – Look in the shop window of your local yarn store, have a wander around the shop and you are likely to have your head filled with ideas and inspiration before you leave.
   
   
8. Enjoy the immersive experience – If you are a sensory person like me, then being surrounded by yarn and being able to squish it and imagine working with it, is a great feeling and a big part of my passion for yarn craft.
   
   
9. Get information about local sessions – Your local yarn store may well host craft classes and craft groups on site, or, if not, they will often be able to signpost you to local centres which do offer them.
   
   
10. Support a local business owner – A lot of time, commitment and dedication is involved in running any small business. Most local yarn store owners will be dealing with their own admin, stock ordering, marketing and the financial side of the business, as well as serving in the shop. It tends to be a passion project, as well as a business and genuine interest in crafting and customer care are the driving forces. Your recommendations and feedback, as well as your custom, will always be valued and appreciated by small business owners.

As many of you will know, Yarny Bees has a physical shop in Lichfield. This month, I’ll be taking over the shop front of the building and I can’t wait! My imagination has been running wild with ideas to make it pop, with all things yarn craft related!! I’m very excited about it. If you live in or around Lichfield, why not take a look and pop in for a chat, or for your yarn craft needs.

References

‘Why local yarn stores matter’ Crazy for Ewe April 22^nd, 2019

https://www.crazyforewe.com/blogs/crazy-for-ewe/why-local-yarn-store-day

Yarny Bees

As adults, when we’re prioritising work, housework and family commitments, our own hobby time often gets left till last, or given no time at all. However, actively engaging in creative activities, such as needlecrafts, has been proven to be beneficial for adult mental well-being, which can help us to lead healthier, happier and more productive lives.  So, maybe it’s time to factor more creativity into our busy schedules.

‘Creativity is at the core of innovation. We rely on innovation for advancing humanity, as well as for pleasure and entertainment,” he said. “Creativity underlies so much of what humans value.’ Jonathan Schooler, PHD

Why the creative process is as important as the outcome

When young children draw, paint, make models and engage in other craft projects, the emphasis is on having fun, exploring and being creative. The benefits are immense for the development of their fine motor skills, imagination and confidence. Yet, with the onset of the teenage years, many people lose their natural confidence in being creative and give up. It might be as a result of getting discouraged by a single, negative comment from a peer, or from having perfectionist tendencies.  As adults, we are often too focused on the outcome and we can then lose the benefits of enjoying the creative process itself – going with the flow and making the most of our skills and talents.   

With needlecraft, It’s the actual process of knitting and crocheting that brings the biggest value for our mental health and wellbeing. As an avid needlecrafter myself, it’s the rhythmical clack of the needles that helps me to feel calm, being immersed in flow (which allows me to subconsciously process the challenges of my day) and using craft to express my feelings and emotions.

‘Craft can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness and even dementia, according to research.’ Craft Council

Is it ever too late to learn a new skill?

Many parents re-discover a love of creativity, when they engage in messy play with their children, or dig out their old knitting needles or crochet hook, to pass skills on to them, that they learnt as a child themselves. Sharing skills is a great bonding experience and a good way to incorporate creative time with family time. Learning a new skill together is also beneficial, as is learning a new skill from our children.

Trying something new is often something that people do when they retire, to keep their brain active, to occupy their days with something that is fun and challenging and to meet new people socially. It might be on their bucket list to learn to crochet, for example, or to go to a creative arts class.

The ‘Creativity Found’ podcast

I love listening to the ‘Creativity Found’ podcast. The premise of the podcast is that people can find their creativity at any age. The host and founder, Claire Waite Brown, chats with people who have found or re-found their creativity in adulthood and each episode is filled with inspiring ways to help adults to get creative.

Creativity Found podcast: Finding creativity at any age

Yarny Bees

I’m so passionate about the benefits of crafting, that I’ve built my whole business around it! I spend my days surrounded by soft, squishy balls of yarn, talking about knitting and crocheting, helping others to develop their needlecraft skills and making finished items for customers to purchase. What’s not to love? 

Click here, to find out more about my yarn store and needlecraft classes for people of all ages and at all stages. https://www.yarnybees.co.uk

If you are in Lichfield, pop in and say hi, ask for advice on your latest project, or join one of our Craft Hive sessions, which offer so much more than just a knit and natter. 

References

‘The science behind creativity – Psychologists and neuroscientists are exploring where creativity comes from and how to increase your own’

American Psychological Association, by Kirsten Weir Last updated: January 30, 2024. Date created: April 1, 2022

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/04/cover-science-creativity

‘4 reasons craft is good for your mental health’ Craft Council, June 2020

https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/stories/4-reasons-craft-good-your-mental-health

The Creativity Found Podcast

https://www.creativityfound.co.uk/Podcast

It’s so easy to be tempted by the gadgets on offer for yarn crafters, with the manufacturers claiming that they’ll make crafting quicker and easier and suggesting that we can’t possibly live without them! But are they really necessary and do we actually use them, or do they just end up taking up valuable space in our already crammed-full craft bags, or drawers?

I’ve found myself being tempted by many a craft gadget over the years and some have been more useful than others. In this post, I’ll be talking about the sorts of tools available, the benefits and my own thoughts around the value of extra equipment.

The basic tools for knitting and crocheting

For complete beginners, all that’s really needed for knitting is a pair of needles, yarn and a pattern. It’s similar for crocheting, with a hook, yarn, a needle and a pattern being the only essentials.

As our skills and experience increase, then the natural next step up is to buy a wider range of hooks or needles, different gauges of yarn and a variety of patterns.

So, what else is available and what are the benefits?

Needle threaders

The simplest type of needle threader is made from a diamond-shaped, thin wire loop, held together by a small piece of plastic or tin. It involves inserting the wire loop through the eye of the needle, then placing the thread in the loop, before pulling it back through the eye of the needle. Threader tools or magnifying needle-threaders are also available, along with self-threading needles.

Benefits:

• They can save time and effort
• They can be helpful for people with bad eyesight, shakes, or arthritis
• Needle threaders are relatively cheap and readily available

However, the drawbacks are that they’re not particularly suitable for needles with tiny eye holes, or for using with thicker thread. They are also easily breakable.

Stitch/row counters

These are small clips, rings or loops that can be placed directly onto stitches or knitting needles. You can also find digital versions, and those that fit on a finger rather than a needle.

Benefits:

• Removes the need to go back and count stitches or rows
• Saves time and effort

Gauges

A gauge tool measures the number of stitches and rows per inch of finished fabric.

Benefits:

• Increases the accuracy
• Helps to create a better fit for knitted and crocheted garments  

Pom-pom makers

These are made from a variety of materials and can help you to create different shapes and sizes of pom-poms, for hats, bags and clothes.   

• Saves time and effort
• Keeps the pom-poms even

Yarn winders and swifts

A yarn winder can be used alone, or with a swift. A yarn winder and swift are luxury items.

‘Using a yarn winder and swift is the easiest way to wind up a skein of yarn. These tools help to wind the yarn into a center-pull ball, which sits flat to make it easy to work with.’ The Creative Folk

Benefits:

• Saves time and effort
• Reduces the risk of knots

In conclusion

As an experienced yarn crafter, my belief is that you don’t need anything else other than the basics, but some of the other tools available are good fun, or make life easier.

I would class pom-pom makers as almost essential for me, as it’s so easy to whip up pom-poms with them. I also love using my swift and winder as a form of mindfulness and fun, but they really are a luxury!

Finally, this year I’m loving keeping track of all of my craft projects in my Yarny Bees Craft Journal! I’ve designed it to be used for beginners and for advanced crafters, to keep information about all craft projects in one place. More information about the Yarny Bees Craft Journals can be found here.

References

‘The Proper Use of Needle Threaders Pros and Cons’ Goldstar Tool Cutting and Sewing Supplies, David Akhamzadeh, 13/4/13

https://www.goldstartool.com/blog/the-proper-use-of-needle-threaders-pros-and-cons

‘7 Best Yarn Winders And Swifts Of 2022’ The Creative Folk, by Emily, January 6, 2021

7 Best Yarn Winders And Swifts Of 2022