Joining in this weekly link up on The Rainbow Hare blog once again. This week, a bit of musing from me about the 'knitting scene' of the past plus a more recent trend in the same scene.
Brisbane is a city in the sub tropics. In times past, despite the rather warm climate, knitting and crocheting were still a necessary pastime of those of my mother's generation. ( it was very rare to see the children of my generation in 'shop bought' knitwear!) My childhood memories were that there weren't a lot of small speciality yarn shops around...my mum used to purchase yarns from department and chain stores in the 1950s and 60s. We did have 2 Drapery shops near where we lived and these did have a very small range of wool.
Brisbane is a city in the sub tropics. In times past, despite the rather warm climate, knitting and crocheting were still a necessary pastime of those of my mother's generation. ( it was very rare to see the children of my generation in 'shop bought' knitwear!) My childhood memories were that there weren't a lot of small speciality yarn shops around...my mum used to purchase yarns from department and chain stores in the 1950s and 60s. We did have 2 Drapery shops near where we lived and these did have a very small range of wool.
Travelling to Melbourne in the early 1970s, I fell in love with that city's yarn shops. Back home though, I bought my yarn in department stores. Years later, the 'big' craft shops like Spotlight and Lincraft arrived. In recent times though, the modern version of the small yarn shop arrived in Brisbane...and I loved them! I made sure I supported these local businesses.
Knitch with its lovely items to inspire us on display...and there were classes so we could learn more techniques.
Each month there would be a large number of donations for the group...both from Anissa herself, as well as her customers.
Sadly 'all good things come to an end' and last Tuesday at the April Knit and Natter, we were met with the news that the store would close in the next few weeks...Anissa and family are moving to NSW and with the lease on the shop expiring next month, she is just closing the doors not selling the business.
No idea what I'll make but probably they will feature in one of my multi-coloured throw 'creations'.
But...there is always a 'but' isn't there? In the last few years at least 3 local yarn shops that I know of, have closed. But we still had the lovely Knitch in Paddington...
Lots of lovely yarns for sale...many hand dyed by the owner of Knitch...
Anissa, the owner of Knitch ( on the right of the top photo) was a wonderful supporter of local charities, including inviting K4BN to hold monthly Knit and Natters in the shop. We would often share tables with regular customers who came in to classes or social group gatherings...the place was always busy and 'alive'.
So to assuage my disappointment at this news, I bought some yarn didn't I?? Lol
Goodbye Anissa! I wish you all the best for the future in whatever endeavours you embark on. A big thank you for all that did for the community, and we will miss your lovely, 'bubbly', cheerful, welcoming self!! And we'll miss that wonderful atmosphere that you created in your lovely shop.
Vale Knitch!
Oh that is sad Maria. I hope your group finds another lovely venue to meet for your Knit n Natters. Reading this blog post brought back memories for me too. I remember buying yarn from Grace Bros as late as the mid 90s till it became Myer and the yarn vanished. We don't have a huge amount of quality yarn shops here now - mainly Spotlight and Lincraft and the seasonal stock at the two dollar shops. I can only think of three other shops where you can buy really nice yarn and they are all quite a distance from my place. Have a good week. Xox
ReplyDeleteSad news about the shop.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in primary school even our little local shop that sold the school uniforms had a large range of yarn and knitting paraphernalia. it worked well for them because everyone wore knitted jumpers for school and usually hand made. No sloppy-joes for school back then.
That is sad, Maria...a bit like the drapery shop closing down in my last post. That personal assistance has gone and it is so valued isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI too have the fondest memories of paying a visit to our local Drapery with my mum when I was little. We would weekly, buy a ball or two of wool which had been put away for us and continue knitting the garment we were working on. So, so many happy memories revolve around that Drapery/Haberdashery store. How sad that the beautiful yarn shop Knitch will soon be no more. But I am pleased you cheered yourself up with the acquisition of a few more pretty balls of wool. =) Just visiting your lovely blog way down here at the bottom of the world, via Janine's Rainbow Hare. It has been a delight to visit you, Maria.
ReplyDeleteThat's sad news about the shop. I think Spotlight and Lincraft were the death knoll for a lot of yarn shops. When I lived in Perth, I'd travel half an hour (when the traffic was light) to visit my favorite yarn shop. Jo Sharp had a shop near the beach for a while and I used to travel there on a Saturday (?) afternoon for the knitting group.
ReplyDeleteKnitch looks like a wonderful shop. It's very sad news to hear that it's closing. We have no 'real' yarn shops around here - just a few places that sell a limited selection of yarn and lots of unrelated things. I hope you will at least find a way to continue your knit and natter group.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up with Wool on Sundays :)
In the past our area had some really great - yarn shops -. I would not call them knit shops because those of us that crochet were able to enhance our skills with classes that were offered for both knit and crochet. I miss the shops. The small shops have given way to the large craft chain stores. It's just not the same.
ReplyDelete