Debbie’s Story
My first real taste of selling direct to the public began with my friend Margaret when we decided to enter the world of craft fairs. We had both learned to crochet, and I had discovered a deep affection for yarn. Then, after one particularly wet, cold, miserable day my thoughts turned to a ‘proper shop,’ and so my first idea of helping local crafters market their wares was conceived. It wasn’t long, however, until yarn took over. Kraft Work Yarns was born.
Linda and I became reacquainted through the knit and natter sessions that had developed. With her help, and business acumen, the first tiny shop moved into shop number 2. Then Covid struck. We survived by offering a home delivery service and making plans for when we could reopen. When we did, our increased popularity meant Karen joined the team on a permanent basis and Sandra stepped in as a volunteer.
As the demand for extra brands of yarn grew and we began to develop a range of haberdashery and extras to tempt woolly crafters we soon outgrew shop number 2. On to shop 3. Which was amazing. It provided lots of sales area meaning even more new yarns. Our customer base kept growing, knit and natter expanded, customers regularly travelled from out of the area to visit. It wasn’t, however, without its limitations.
When the original shop around which the Arches Shopping Village had developed became vacant, yes, you guessed it, shop number 4 was created. This one is the keeper. It looks and feels like the real thing. We have found our home. And that home is fast becoming the premier destination in the area, attracting customers from the south coast to Iceland!!
Our newest member of the team is Clare. Clare is a local pattern designer with a passion for hand knitted socks!
I hope this has provided you with a taste of KWY history. Please do drop in. We’d love to see you. And you’ll always find something tempting. Debbie, Linda, Karen, Clare and Sandra. x
“I may have enough yarn, but I don’t have THAT yarn.
I think the solution is obvious. ”
Services we offer
Each staff member is well versed in all things yarn related, with many years of experience and expertise under our belts, we can provide advice from ease of use to deciphering patterns to colour choices. We won’t let a stitch bamboozle you. What we don’t know, we’ll find out.
Debbie is the Boss Lady, owner and founder of Kraft Work Yarns
Karen is the crochet expert and confident knitter
Sandra is the teacher with the patience in both knitting and crochet
Linda is the Button Queen with a keen eye for colour matching and pairing
Clare is the sock pattern designer, never without a work in progress
Charities we support
We support the charities dear to our hearts by selling pre-loved patterns & books, needles & hooks. All we ask for is a small donation.
We also accept donations of unwanted knitting and crochet ephemera too. Our patron’s generosity is greatly appreciated; we have amassed thousands of pounds over the past 6 years for these well-deserved causes.
Epilepsy Outlook
Alice House Hospice
Great North Air Ambulance
Royal British Legions Poppy Appeal
Meet The Team
KAREN
Mad Geordie (but we don’t hold that against her) Prolific crocheter with a thing for blankets, most of which get raffled off for one of our chosen charities. Does a bit of knitting, currently mastering socks. Looks after all things Knit & Natter, Fun Fact: has a thing for drangonflies and her multi-patterned boot collection.
LINDA
Seasoned bi-stitchual with a penchant for whatever current yarn I’m fluffing. Poly-yarnorous, easily persuaded into side quests. Loves sniffing wool and squeezing balls. Likes to do it in bed, on the couch, dining room table, on the floor, and is also partial to a bit of al fresco stitching.
DEBBIE
Boss Lady.
Has a tendency to let the heart lead the head.
Strengths lie more in crochet, but she’s working on her knitting skills, and has a love of hand knitted socks…
… Proud of what the shop has achieved and looking forward to the business growing and spreading the woolly love far and wide.
Greatest achievement: being Grandma to two amazing, beautiful girls.
SANDRA
Volunteer from the early days. Loves to teach crochet and knitting to people of all ages, and has a very high success rate. At Knit & Natter sessions she keeps the conversation flowing nicely and is always up for a giggle. Other qualifications include mastering the kettle - this lady makes a mean cuppa.
Fun Fact: Biggest Snow White fan - in the world!
CLARE
Newest member of the KWY family. Once quoted as saying “I’m not a knitter.” then goes on to learn how to knit socks, write patterns and publish them. First sock pattern was called ‘The Imposter Socks’ for that reason. Can’t function without a good brew, and is never without a WIP or twenty. Has a passion for hand dyed yarns and can often be found mooching around yarn shows - sniffing and squishing the yarns.
Relentless advocate for the mental health benefits of yarn crafts.
“You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy yarn, and that’s pretty close”