I now order online and enough to qualify for free postage and use a discount code from a magazine. This makes it cheaper than a local shop and usually arrives next day packed in organza bags. No parking to contend with and my painful knee is saved the exertion of walking to a shop. The big problem I have is that I over order and my stash of yarn is ever increasing!
I used to love going to House of Fraser for wool etc but all the haberdashery departments have now closed. There were always customers in the department unlike the replacement shoe section. I now do not even go to the towns where the stores are. John Lewis was a good substitute but the haberdashery department has shrunk considerably.
Hobbycraft seems big but it caters for too many hobbies so the range of items for each one is limited. As for my local knitting shop, I do not feel welcome. Despite no one else in the shop, the owner is not at all interested in what I am making and just seems to want the purchase completed so she can get on with her knitting. I don't think anyone would get help from her unless she could charge. She does run courses but very expensive. In contrast I used to cross stitch many years ago and had a lovely shop 25 miles away that framed all my work. They were like old friends and I spent a lot of money in the shop with them often suggesting things to buy. That shop is now long gone.
Army horses loose on London streets
Angela Rayner lashes out and calls Sunak “pint sized loser”.
4 Years On…..Health-wise, Has Anything Changed?
Well Labour’s “patriotism” didn’t last very long, did it? 🇬🇧