CAST ON WITH...MEET THE OWNER OF THE LANCASTER STORE AND YARN BRAND, KATE MAKIN
‘This area of East Lancashire has a rich textile history,’ says Laili.
Make sure you visit Queen Street Mill in Burnley, a World Heritage site.
There is also the Weavers’ Triangle and Gawthorpe Hall in Burnley. Here in Colne we
have Wycoller Country Park, which is a beautiful site to walk around. There are many
links in the village to the Brontë sisters. Another feature of my area of Lancashire is the
stunning landmark Pendle Hill. Visitors from around the world come to visit Pendle Hill
to see the beautiful views from the top. They also learn about the Pendle Witch Trials
and the start of the Quaker movement.’
Swing by Clitheroe, home to award-winning wine shops D Byrne & Co
and The Whalley Wine Shop.
Take a hike in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
‘Visit Lancaster Castle, with its newly refurbished grounds
and Atkinsons café,’ says Kate.
The Singing Ringing Tree is a unique musical sculpture
overlooking the town of Burnley.
Check out Pendle Stitches in Pendle and Norma’s Wool Shop
in Burnley while you’re there.How can customers shop with you if they
can’t make it in person?
We try our best to provide the same quality
of service online as we do if you come in and
visit us in person. We can also arrange a live
video call to help you choose the yarn and
accessories for your next project.
How have you been coping with the
Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns?
I have had so many of my wonderful
customers’ support through this
unprecedented time. We have been able to
provide a local click and collect service. We
have also worked hard together to make
sure that the shop is a safe environment for
customers to visit. We ensure the shop is
well ventilated, everyone wears masks and
we clean and disinfect regularly.
What’s on your needles right now?
I am knitting a sweater for my husband
right now. It is the Hide and Peak Sweater by
Maxim Cyr. I am knitting it in Isager Jensen
yarn along with some Shilasdair DK I have
had in my stash for about 12 years.
emilyfoulds.com
What makes your shop special?
Northern Yarn has a strong focus on natural
fibres, and stocks many yarns from local
farms – including our own line made from
hand-picked fleeces from farms around
Lancashire and Cumbria, fully traceable
yarns you won’t find anywhere else. But
we also stock a range from further afield,
including favourites like West Yorkshire
Northern Yarn
Spinners, Jamieson’s of Shetland, John
Arbon, The Fibre Company, BC Garn, Létt
Lopi and many more. Why should customers visit in person
when they can?
There’s nothing like seeing and feeling the
yarn in person, pure wool can vary so much
with each breed and the way it has been
spun. You can see samples made up and get
expert advice about your project, ensuring
you get the right yarn for the job.How can customers shop with you if they
can’t make it in person?
Northern Yarn has an online shop as well as
bricks and mortar, with quick delivery and
plastic-free packaging.How have you been coping with the
Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns?
Lockdown was a busy time: home-schooling
two primary school-aged children and
running the online business in the evenings.Find your local
yarn shop at
ukhandknitting.comWe delivered locally and were able to continue
with click and collect at the doorstep once a
week. This really helped keep us going! Our
knitting and crochet night went online and
we’ve been Zooming for a year now. It’s been a
great way to keep in touch and connected.What’s on your needles right now?
I have just finished a Goldwing sweater by
Jenn Steingass using The Fibre Company’s
Lore, which I absolutely love. I’ve just cast
on the Ilha sweater by Orlane Sucche in
our Northern Yarn Methera in one of the
new colours, the most gorgeous Ginger. It’s
a really soft blend that has been worsted
spun, using four British breeds from four
local farms, and the pattern has a lace and
cable yoke that will show off the stitch
definition. I also have some Mara socks on
the go by Zsuzsanna Orthodoxou in The
Fibre Company Amble – a really interesting
brocade pattern and the yarn is just dreamy!northernyarn.co.uk