Knitting up a storm
"Great Balls of Wool" inspires a comeback
By Devon Hanley
Sitting high up on my bedroom closet shelf is a fluffy pink and grey mohair cardigan that I breezily designed and knit when I was in my late 20s. Every so often I take it down, look at it and wonder how on earth I did it. But knit it I did, and so, last November I decided my birthday present to myself would be a sweater. I had been itching to knit again, and it was time to stage an all out knitting comeback!
At this point I will have to admit my inspiration to return to knitting was fuelled not only by my passion for all things woolen, but also by the timely opening of a yarn shop, Great Balls of Wool, at the north end of Marine Avenue. Anyone who stops in their tracks when they see handmade woolen objects knows a shop full of gorgeously spun yarn in every shade and hue cannot be ignored. Those yarns beckon to be worked into something useable or wearable, immediately.
This explains how I came to find myself hopelessly seduced by buttery soft, burnt orange Peruvian Highland wool at Great Balls of Wool. Avid knitter, owner and proprietor, Roisin (pronounced Ro-Sheen) Sheehy-Culhane, as well as several of the visitors to the store that day, encouraged me to go for it. Armed with silky smooth bamboo needles, ten balls of wool and the phone number of one of the expert knitters I met at the store, my sweater project was underway.
But as I knit and purl my way through a raglan sweater and a silk mohair blend hat, I realize it's not just about the end result. It's also about connecting with other knitters and meeting Powell River's wool and yarn artists, an incredibly creative and enthusiastic group who are more than willing to go out of their way to share their expertise and help others get started.
A cozy and welcoming little shop brimming with imported and local hand spun art yarns, Roisin's Great Balls of Wool is fast becoming a yarn lover's hub. While knitting (and learning) my way through raglan decreases on the big couch by the store front window, I have met pattern makers, local yarn artists and knitters of every level. Roisin, an excellent knitter and knitwear designer herself, is happy to help with knitting questions and true to her Irish background, genuinely enjoys the stories and conversations that wrap themselves around the clicking needles.
Speaking of needles, Great Balls of Wool carries a full selection of bamboo needles, Canadian made wood buttons and shawl pins and a wide variety of patterns and pattern books and other knitting necessities. Roisin is pleased to feature exquisite art yarns by Danika and Katrina, two local yarn artists pushing fibre combinations, spinning and dye techniques to new limits.
Great Balls of Wool also offers group knitting lessons with some of Powell River's finest knitters and on Saturdays from noon to four Roisin provides space for knitters to come together to work on their projects.
"I enjoy the aspect of bringing people together to knit or crochet and share their ideas and their expertise," explains Roisin. "The really skilled knitters, women who many decades ago were knitting to clothe their families, are now experiencing keen appreciation and respect from the new vanguard of young knitters who are totally inspired by their expertise -- it's a great exchange."
Roisin goes on to say how inspiring it is to meet so many of the region's creative talent. "Actually, I am in awe. Something that women have been doing for centuries is now emerging as an art form. I have one customer who has learned how to do an ancient form of Norse, one-needle knitting; he learned on line and now he's in the store sourcing wool for his projects."
The wonderful thing about knitting is there are as many projects as there are people; you can always find something that suits your skill level, available hours for knitting and your budget. Powell River Library has a large selection of books on knitting and crocheting; everything from knitted toys to home accessories and sophisticated knitwear. Breakwater Books is another good source for yarn project books. And you can't beat YouTube for knitting instructions from the basics to ultra complex.
I am quite sure my burnt orange Peruvian Highland wool sweater with the fuchsia and lime peel coloured ribbing will be a fashion statement in the very near future. In the meantime I am enjoying the process: knitting by the wood-burning stove on rainy afternoons; knitting while waiting for ferries or for hockey practice to wind up; and the camaraderie, laughs and enjoyment I have derived from getting to know some of this region's lovers of all things to do with yarn.
