UK Small Business Week: The Wool Cellar’s very honest, very woolly series. (Humorous edition Monday – Friday)

Wednesday – “The Social Side: Come in for Yarn, Stay for the chat”

You know the story. You’re on a strict one-project-at-a-time regime (of course you are).
You pop in for “just one ball” and suddenly you’re carrying yarn like you’re prepping for an apocalypse after chatting to another yarny who has talked you into a brand new project that you absolutely must start immediately, breaking your STRICT one-project rule and you arrange to meet next week for coffee and cake.
(I have baskets you know, there’s no need to struggle)

Meanwhile, somewhere outside….
A husband is wandering up and down the high street, checking his watch, wondering if he should file a missing person report. Because (and let’s be honest here) husbands lose their wives in my shop all the time. It’s true!
One minute she was there, then she was gone! They come in, very slowly and gingerly, head down the back. There she is, quite comfy on the sofa, elbows deep in pattern books, from which she’s now emotionally committed to three more projects and needs more yarn!
He’s now enlisted as chief carrier (I have baskets) and payer.
(Dear partners – I do gift vouchers – may birthdays and Christmas’ never be a problem again, you’re welcome).

The magical, slightly dangerous sofa, an amazing space where time ceases to exist. 20 mins is now 3 hours, people have chatted, shared makes and ideas and shared tips.
People come in and accidentally reunite with friends they’ve not seen since 1984 – with no idea that each of them could knit or crochet. They catch up on family news, compare grandkids, swap life updates and laugh like they’ve never been apart.

Let’s be honest, popping in for a browse often turns into a chat, a laugh even a therapy session. For others, it’s a life line. The shop provides community in its simplest, loveliest form, even if slightly chaotic – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.