Stitched Together: Beaker Button, Hampshire
What's the story behind your shop name?
I have a degree in archaeology and spent nearly a decade working at Stonehenge. The shop, named Beaker Button, is named for the Beaker People, who built part of Stonehenge so it's a nod to my archaeological roots.
Where is your shop and what is the neighbourhood like?
I'm part of a craft centre called the Fairground Craft and Design Centre in Weyhill, near Andover. We're a collection of artists and crafts people, covering a range of crafts including patchwork and quilting, cake making, woodwork, paper crafts and music, and a Fair Trade shop. The site is beautiful with plenty of free parking and a lovely cafe serving the best cakes ever.
Who works at your shop?
Mainly me but I have a lovely pair of ladies who help out when I'm at shows or teaching off site. I'd be lost without them!
What makes your shop special?
We only sell very good yarns, with an emphasis on natural fibres. We run lots of workshops and they're all booked when you want so people come to us for one to one teaching, and we have a lively and welcoming craft club twice a week where people can gossip, eat cake and craft. We knit, crochet, weave, spin, felt, dye and most importantly make Dorset buttons.
What are your most popular yarns?
Malabrigo and my own hand dyed range.
Do you have a knitting group?
Yes, we meet on a Wednesday and Saturday afternoon, from 2pm. We don't just knit though, we have spinners, felting stitchers and crocheters as well!
What's your favourite piece of knitting advice?
Do a tension square! There is no such thing as standard tension so it's vital to check your tension is the same as the person who wrote the pattern. Tension squares also give you the chance to see if the wool you've chosen for your project actually turns out the way you want as well, before you've cast on and knitted loads of stitches.
I would also recommend challenging yourself regularly. Tackle something new whenever you can.
Address: Beaker Button Fairground Craft and Design Centre Weyhill Hampshire SP11 0QN
Phone number: 01264748070
Website: www.beakerbutton.co.uk
Email address: info@beakerbutton.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/beakerbutton
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Beakerbutton
Instagram: www.instagram.com/beakerbutton