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YAK
Learn how-to make pom poms with the team at YAK, yarn and knitting shop in Brighton.
How did you get started?
I have been knitting for several years now and had been working on making a career out of my hobby when I moved to Brighton. But YAK was really born out of a frustration at the lack of any nice independent yarn shop in Brighton. It just didn't make any sense for such a creative city not to have one. So I decided I should be the one to create that space for Brighton's knitting community. It has been a slow process trying to find a suitable location for a physical shop so it made sense to open up online first, but I am extremely excited to say that the bricks and mortar is coming very soon!
Where are you located?
At the moment we are an internet only shop so I work from home. However, my dream of opening a real bricks and mortar shop is coming true and YAK will be opening it's doors on Gloucester Road in the famous North Laines in Brighton in the new year.
Which products do you specialise in?
We have a carefully selected range of wool and yarns which celebrate independent British companies who focus on luxury hand dying and natural fibres as well as some beautiful yarns from further afield.
Along with our exquisite yarns we also have a great choice of knitting and crochet accessories.
Do you have a particular favorite product that you sell?
I don't think I could choose between the yarns we sell so I'm going to go for one of our accessories. The Sirka counter is an amazing tool to use while knitting particularly complicated patterns. It helps you keep track of up to 3 counts (for example, armhole decreases, buttons holes AND your lace pattern) all at once and best of all, it reminds you when to stop!
It has been the saviour of my projects on many occasions.
What's on the stereo?
When I work from home I listen to BBC 6music pretty much none stop. I do however love to listen to podcasts while knitting. Some of my favourite knitting podcasts are, A Playful Day, Shineybees, Knitmore Girls and Knit British which can all be found on iTunes.
Where else should we visit in your area?
Brighton has so many amazing places to eat, drink and shop it's hard to know where to start. I wrote a Brighton guide for the Unwind Brighton festival on the YAK blog last summer which has run down of some of my favourites. You can read it here, http://yarnandknitting.com/brighton-guide-unwind-2014/
Do you host any workshops, classes or special events?
YAK has a regular stall at Wind Up, a monthly meet and make in Steyning, West Sussex. It's a lovely event and people come from all over to work on their latest projects over a cup of tea and cake and chatter.
I am currently working on a timetable for regular classes and workshops for when YAK opens its physical doors. If you sign up to our newsletter you can be the first to hear about it!
Is there anything else you'd like us to know?
I published my first ever knitting pattern in September, a simple hat pattern great for showing off a special skein of yarn. Best yet it's free and available to download on the YAK website.
Do you have a favorite craft, art or supply shop in your town that we should feature? Send us a message!
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