About Fiona & the Yarnistas
Fi – Fi is the mad woman who spent the first 20 years of her working life in insurance offices (more than enough for anyone) and made one big career change leap and went to work alongside her parents who owned a Local Garden Centre during this time she studied at RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate in Horticulture and at Craven College, Skipton in Garden Design. Fi learned to crochet whilst working at the garden centre around 10 years ago and was taught in her lunch break by two of her fellow staff members.
If Fi’s not working in the shop, then she usually at home, probably working there too. She’s a bit of a workaholic and if she’s not thinking of the next yarns to stock, classes to run, ventures to start she will be sat knitting or crocheting for the shop, probably drinking Prosecco, watching Grey’s Anatomy and snuggling with her dog, Princess Oscar.
Fiona is assisted by her wonderful team of Yarnistas’:
Linda
Fi’s Mum - has been Fi’s biggest supporter from day one, literally! She keeps everyone in order and is an amazing knitter (although she is the one member of our staff who doesn't crochet) and has been knitting for more than 65 years. When she’s not putting Fi in her place she is gardening and cooking at home or travelling the world on one of her many holidays.If you have a problem with a pattern then Linda is your girl, there’s not much she can’t put right (although she never got the hang of circular needles lol)
Ann
Ann has also been on board from day one. A lifelong knitter, Ann picked back up her crochet hook in the last few years too and is crocheting up a storm. Ann, like Linda, is also a demon at sorting out your knitting and crochet queries. *Fun fact* Ann used to be Fi’s Manager years ago when they both working in insurance - now the tables have turned Fiona on occasion lets the power go to her head haha.
Cal
Cal is our one-woman whirlwind. She is a cracking knitter and crocheter and loves some of the new challenges like brioche and unusual ways of knitting socks. She is ever popular with all our lovely customers and a level head in a storm. She thinks outside the box with yarn choices and makes us look beyond the end of our nose at the possibilities. She is fab.
Liz
Liz is our Girl Friday who swoops in every Friday and whips us in to shape. Liz has a proper job too but the Friday job is the easiest she says, how can it not be with all that colour and yarn to play with. She is great at ideas and pushing us forward and keeps Fi on her toes. Liz crochets like a woman possessed (she has an etsy shop and she designs patterns too). Liz can knit but refuses to do so as its to slow in her opinion lol. She can still help you with all your knitting needs though just as long as you don’t make her knit it up too!
Amy
Amy is our lovely newbie, she started with us just before Christmas 2021 and is our Saturday girl. Amy is learning the ropes and is popular with all the staff and customers alike who all do a fabulous job of keeping Yarn Etc at the top of its game, when she's not restocking the shelves or sorting pattern books and stock taking Amy is great with our customers and always eager to know what everyone is making. Amy has her own Etsy shop where she sells her crochet items and clothing.