BLACK SHEEP Wools is
a family-run yarn shop
in the village of Culcheth,
near Warrington in
Cheshire. Its home is the
Craft Barn, famous for its
welcoming atmosphere,
huge range of yarns, tea shop, and extensive
workshop programme. It also operates a
successful online store and hosts popular
‘make-along’ projects on its website.
The business is run by Sara Mulvey,
whose family established the business back
in the 1980s. The Craft Barn was closed
during Covid-19 lockdown, but has now
happily reopened, with social distancing
measures in place. We caught up with Sara
to find out more about her shop, and her
own love of knitting and crochet.
What’s the history of Black Sheep Wools?
“Our first shop was opened in 1983 by my
mum Carol in Culcheth in Cheshire - the
village our Craft Barn is now in. I worked
there as a Saturday girl, and when I was a
student I would meet my mum and dad and
brother Steve at shows around the country.
I came into the business full-time about
nine years ago, after working in sales and
marketing for national newspapers.”
Which other family members also
currently work in the business?
“My eldest brother Steve has been with
Black Sheep for over thirty years. We work
together really well and complement each
other. We each have specialisms: he is more
logistics-based and I’m more marketing.
My niece, Ellie, works with us now too,
at shows and in the warehouse. I think
most of my nieces and nephews have
helped out at some point!
“My parents are still an important part
of the company. They live abroad now,
but always get involved when we are doing
something special. Mum loves to walk
around the shop with me and tell me how
it could look better. In fairness, she’s
(nearly) always right!”As well as the Craft Barn you have a popular
online store. What are its challenges?
“ The biggest challenge is recreating online
the personal service and passion for what
we sell, which is so important to us. The
big online players are certainly having an
impact on yarn shops as a whole, as they
can work on smaller margins, and so many
independent yarn shops are closing at the
moment. I can’t think of a yarn that isn’t
stocked online by at least one local yarn
shop. Buy from them and make their day!”What does a typical working day look like?
“I start most days chatting with Steve to
discuss what we have coming up. Then
I say hello to everyone who’s working in
the shop that day, and check that we’re
all good. We discuss stock moves, displays
and anything else that comes up, and then
I move on to talk to the internet team. I
quite often start by saying ‘I’ve had an idea’
and they roll their eyes!
“I drink copious amounts of tea, touch
beautiful yarns and have great conversations
with customers. Every day is different, as
it depends if we are away at a show, have
an event on, are running workshops or
are working on special projects. At our
tea shop in the Craft Barn, my favourite
treat is the lemon and blueberry sponge. It
has fruit in it - so it’s one of my five a day!”Which designers have visited Black Sheep
Wools, and who would you love to appear?
“ We are lucky because we have had so
many incredible visitors to our Craft Barn.
Arne and Carlos are very special and create
such an incredible atmosphere. Kaffe
Fassett has visited us; Martin Storey was
on my hit list for years, and has been here
twice now. Jane Crowfoot visits every year,
and Sarah Hatton teaches for us too. Other
people we are so fortunate to have hadinclude Dedri Uys, Tatsiana from Lilla
Bjorn Crochet, and Dee Hardwicke.
“Joji Locatelli is one of my favourite
international designers, so I’ve love her
to come and visit Black Sheep Wools.”Which yarns and colours are most popular
with your customers?
“Colour knitting and Fair Isle yokes are
huge. There is also a move towards finer
yarns, and we sell more 4ply than ever
before. Blues and greys are always the
most popular colours out of every range,
but yellow is also big at the moment.”Do you get much time to knit for yourself?
“Every day I try to do a couple of hours.
I’m currently knitting a chevron blanket,
socks, an easy Fair Isle sweater in the
round (a relatively new concept to me).
I’m also crocheting a blanket, and have
multiple other things on the needles!
“I’m a huge Rowan fan and, like so many
knitters, I love Felted Tweed and Pure Wool
Worsted. Fyberspates Vivacious 4-ply is a
favourite for accessories, and Urth yarns
for socks and shawls. My newest favourite
is Stylecraft’s Naturals Bamboo and Cotton.
There are lots of colours available, and it
feels beautiful.”- http://www.blacksheepwools.com
01925 764231
At Black Sheep Wools they like to keep things in the
family! Sara Mulvey tells Penny Batchelor about her
journey from Saturday shop girl to yarn shop director
BLACK SHEEP WOOLS
The Knitter 59 Issue 154