We are OPEN!

Many many thanks to all our wonderful first week visitors!

It was touch and go there for a while, but happily, in the end, we did open our doors last Wednesday. Here I am, about to turn the sign to OPEN for the very first time!

Join me for a little look round Whistlebare’s brand new bricks and mortar shop in town.

Our little cobbled street is lined with tables and chairs where you can relax with coffee and cake and a serving of knitting on the side.

Next comes the sewing room with glorious, natural fibre dressmaking fabrics from Merchant and Mills and other fabric houses.

If you manage to get past the coffee counter with its scrumptious cake display, all dressed up in Merchant and Mills curtains, then you’ll find yourself in yarn heaven.

I think Newman is pretty happy with his new perch by Cranky, next to the fire.

Newman is not the only beastie in the shop. There are dachsunds and snails and lobsters in residence too. All made from reclaimed, natural fibre fabrics by lovely Manda on the Isle of Wight.

There are books as well and even some ready to wear jumpers - knitted in Scotland out of 100% British wool, of course. There was a stand of hats and scarves and socks knitted on Cranky too but 4 days of trading later, it has been decimated! I’m sorry to say Cranky’s order book is completely full for pre-Christmas delivery too.

We had no idea what to expect when we opened but we have had the most amazing week. Every day has been flat out, lots of people have visited Whistlebare Fold and they have been universally generous with their patience and encouragement as we find our feet as shopkeepers and baristas. The question that we are asked most frequently is whether we are going to be offering workshops - and the answer is YES!

Do let us know what kinds of workshops you most enjoy, wherever you are, and if you are a tutor who would be interested in teaching at Whistlebare Fold then we would love to hear from you too!

I hope that these photos have given you a little taste of Whistlebare Fold and that maybe, one day, you might like to visit.

Very best wishes,

Alice