Confessions of a Yarn Shop Owner: A Week of Wins, Wobbles & the Queen of Pop

Right, I have a confession to make.

You know those adorable little cotton rabbit jumpers that Mandy has been knitting? The ones that have been sitting on the counter looking impossibly cute and making everyone coo? Well, this week I decided I was going to have a go at one myself.

Reader, the pattern absolutely threw me.

Stitches I had never even heard of. I'm not going to pretend otherwise — I had to read the instructions more than once (okay, several times), and there may have been a moment where I questioned every knitting decision I have ever made in my life.

But here's the thing: I did it. I actually did it.

There is something quietly brilliant about being forced out of your comfort zone by a tiny rabbit jumper. It reminded me why I love this craft so much — there is always something new to learn, always a stitch waiting to humble you and then reward you in equal measure.

And that brings me to my second confession of the week.

Running a yarn shop is one of the greatest joys of my life — I mean that sincerely. But I want to be honest with you, because that's what this diary is for: it is also relentless. Six days a week behind the counter, events to plan, Knit & Natters to host, stock to buy, social media to keep up with, and a full family life at home with David and our three foster boys. Some weeks the plates spin beautifully. Other weeks, you are just trying not to drop them all at once.

Which brings me to confession number three — and my peeps will absolutely know this one is about them.

I wind them up. I peer over at their WIPs and say “haven't you finished that yet?” I vent. I have my moments. I am not always the bubbly, over-the-top, definitely-too-much shop owner that I usually am — sometimes I am just the sassy one having a day.

But here is what I don't say nearly enough: they mean the absolute world to me. Every single one of them. The regulars who come in just for a chat, the ones who bring me flowers, the ones who quietly get on with their knitting while I flap about behind the counter — this shop would be nothing without them. I would be nothing without them.

And it's not just my ladies. A special mention has to go to Gareth over at Manchester Wool and Yarn — a fellow yarn shop owner who has been an absolute help and a very patient ear to bend. Yarn shop owners, unite! It turns out we all need someone who just – gets it.

So consider this my public apology — from someone who is, as a rule, entirely unapologetic just like Madonna — and my love letter, all in one. You know who you are. Haven't you finished that yet? 😉

The Queen Showed Up 👑

I cannot — I absolutely cannot — write this week's diary without addressing the most important event of the week. Possibly the most important event of the year. Madonna performed at the FIFA World Cup half time show and she was, as she always is, completely and utterly magnificent. The Queen of Pop on the world's biggest stage, doing what she does better than anyone who has ever lived. I was not calm about it. I am still not calm about it. If you follow me on social media you will already know this.

This blog was born from a love of Madonna — the whole Confessions theme, the express yourself spirit, the unapologetic boldness of it all — and so it would be absolutely wrong not to stop and say: Madonna, you are everything. Thank you for existing. Thank you for performing. Thank you for reminding us all that you show up, you give everything, and you never, ever stop. Lessons for life, frankly. Lessons for running a yarn shop. Lessons for all of it.

Right. I've composed myself. Mostly. On with the rest of the week.

This Week's Makes — You Lot Are Incredible 🧶

While I was busy having my weekly crisis, the Over The Hook community was quietly (and not so quietly) being absolutely brilliant. Mandy knitted eleven little cotton rabbit jumpers — each one with a letter on the front spelling out O-V-E-R T-H-E H-O-O-K (eleven, I tell you — the woman is a force of nature and I am not worthy), Christine finished a beautiful doll that had everyone stopping for a closer look, April completed her Tunisian crochet blanket which was a proper labour of love from start to finish, Nikki has been turning out the most beautiful bags, and Francis — Francis crocheted a giant cigarette. I have questions. I also have enormous respect. This is why I do what I do. Every single week, you lot make something that stops me in my tracks. Keep making, keep sharing — and yes, I will be asking if you've finished it yet.

It's Done. The Sailor Jumper is Done. ⚓

If you've been following along, you'll know that the Hey There Sailor crochet jumper by the brilliant Cassie Ward has been something of a talking point around here. Well, I am absolutely delighted to tell you — it is finished. And it is everything.

This pattern is a proper joy — nautical, fun, and just the right amount of challenging to keep you hooked (pun absolutely intended). If you've been eyeing it up, now is the time. We've written a full spotlight on the pattern, the process, and why we think you need it in your life — go and have a read here.

On My Needles 🧶

Because finishing one thing clearly means it's time to immediately cast on another — I have started the Block Party Scarf by Tea Cake Makes and I am already very much in love with it. I'm knitting it in two gorgeous indie dyed yarns: Stardew Valley DK by Chromatic Yarns and Smoke DK by Supereffective Fibres — and the combination is absolutely dreamy. Supporting indie dyers and casting on something new in the same week? That's a win in anyone's book. Watch this space. I'll report back next week on whether I am still feeling smug about it or whether it has humbled me entirely. Knowing me, probably the latter.

The Retreat is SOLD OUT! 🎉

I just need to take a moment to say — the retreat tickets are sold out. Every. Single. One. I am absolutely overwhelmed by the response and so, so grateful to every one of you who snapped up a spot. If you missed out this time, please don't be too sad — we may just be planning something even bigger for next year. More retreats, more events, more of all of it. Watch this space. 👀

We Went to the Summer Wool Festival — and It Was Amazing 🐑

If you've been following this diary for a while, you'll know that the Summer Wool Festival in Ampthill has been on the horizon for some time. You may also recall that there was a rather spirited debate between myself and Helen about the accommodation situation. Helen floated the idea of camping. I said absolutely not. I said I would be in a nice hotel. Helen said I was being dramatic. I said I would wave from the jacuzzi.

Reader, we stayed in a lovely hotel the night before. I was right. Good taste prevailed. I have no further comment.

And the festival itself? Amazing. Truly, properly, wonderfully amazing. The kind of day that reminds you exactly why you fell in love with yarn and fibre and this whole glorious world of making in the first place. Indie dyers, beautiful yarns, incredible makers — and yes, the collection may have grown. This is professional development. I stand by it entirely.

I came home buzzing, slightly tired, and very happy. Which is, I think, the only correct way to return from a wool festival.

There is a whole separate post coming very soon all about the yarn I bought, the incredible stallholders I spent time with, and the friends who made the day so special — because that deserves its own moment. Watch this space. 👀

But I will leave you with this thought: should we put a coach on next year? Because I am already thinking about it. The Lowestoft ladies descending on Ampthill in force — knitting bags at the ready, yarn budgets thrown to the wind. Comment below and let me know — because if enough of you are in, we are absolutely doing this. 🚌🧶

Me and my Bellica Yarns haul — Laura knows exactly how to get me. DANCETERIA? Get in my basket. 🧶👑

Summer Holidays — Keeping the Boys Busy ☀️

And finally — because this diary is called confessions and I wouldn't be me without oversharing — a little update on the home front.

The boys are on summer holidays and, true to form, they are all doing their own brilliant thing. One of our boys has been volunteering at the Salvation Army shop and — I could not be more proud — he has designed a full mannequin display using scarves draped as a dress. The creativity! The vision! He gets it from me, obviously.

Our football-mad one has been keeping himself very useful in the shop, making sure the ladies never have an empty coffee cup. Honestly, he might be the most popular person here. (its defiantly not me)

And our third — well. He is packing his bags. He's heading to Manchester for a big new chapter and I am so, so proud of him. I am also going to be an absolute wreck about it, so if you pop into the shop over the next few weeks and find a slightly emotional yarn shop owner behind the counter — now you know why. Be gentle with me. 💙

Until next week — keep knitting, keep crocheting, and keep being the most wonderful community a slightly-too-much, normally-unapologetic shop owner could ever ask for.

More confessions to follow. Stay tuned...