Spinning a Yarn in Bexhill

'Wa Waa's Wool 'n Bits' proprietor, Fran Bardsley came up with the novel 'Knit 'n Natter' idea, describing it as: "A lovely friendly atmosphere where you can buy a tea or coffee while you knit and natter."

Fran explained that there are various ways which people can participate in her home from home idea, whilst enjoying sitting around the big table which takes pride of place in the centre of her shop.

She said: "Anyone can visit the shop at anytime during the day, bring in their knitting, sit and have a cup of tea or coffee and have some company."

Alternatively there are Knit 'n Natter evening classes which, for a small fee, include teaching instruction for both knitting and crochet which Fran said are proving to be very popular, adding: "The classes are for all different levels of experience and skills and if I can't help them then maybe someone else in the group can. It's a good social gathering where you can meet other like-minded people."

'Wa Waa's' is a complete change of direction for Fran, a qualified nurse, who up until a couple of years ago was a Senior Sister in the Opthamology department at the Conquest hospital, where she had worked for eleven years.

She said: "I'd had enough of the NHS and I just wanted to do something else. I'd also got ill health and decided that I needed to do something fresh and different. I've always had a love of crafts and things, especially knitting."

After doing her research, visiting trade shows, to see what yarns were available, and checking out wool shops in London, which she describes as, "more like yarn boutiques than the old fashioned wool shops," she started her City and Guilds in Home Knitting last January where she met other people who were passionate about different wools and yarns. She then decided to take the plunge and open her own shop.

She believes that knitting as a hobby is having a big revival: "I had a feeling that something might happen - people do love nice yarns but, cardigans and jumpers you buy in shops these days are all made of acrylic.

"If you want something individual you can go to a wool shop, choose a pattern, make that thing and it's individual for you - you're not going to see that item time and time again because it's not 'on the shelf' and, at the end of the day it's made from quality materials."

Fran has a spectacular range and variety of colourful all-natural yarn, with some made in Italy and Japan - she is also an avid supporter of Fairtrade Yarns which are bio-friendly.

Incredibly these beautifully soft, stunning yarns are not necessarily made from sheep's wool.

For example one fibre is made from 100% milk (appropriately called Sole Latte) whilst others in the range include 100% banana fibre and a fibre made entirely from bamboo.

Another, made from recycled sari silk, helps provide 'safe shelter, healthcare and education to women in Nepal.

Fran also supports the Mirasol Project. A collection of yarn which supports the children of Peruvian Shepherds.

One of Fran's newest yarns is a 100% mareno wool and she said: "You can knit a jumper for around 22.00.Where are you going to get a jumper made from 100% mareno wool in the shops at that price?"

Choosing the right location for the shop was important to Fran and being sited in Parkhurst road next to a framing shop and close to the art shop is setting a presidence in Bexhill for what she describes as becoming a little, "craft gallery row".

She said: " I thought that people who are interested in crafts and tapestries and who take their pictures in to be framed are going to be interested - hopefully - in the yarn I have."

The unusual name of 'Wa, Waa's' is all down to Fran's niece and nephew. She said: "My christian name is Francois and neither of them could ever pronounce it, so they always called me Aunty Wa Waa."

She said anyone can take up knitting as a hobby adding: "People always put a stamp on knitting that it's just for the elderly but it's not - people of all ages come to my shop, I've even got male knitters ranging from the age of 18. One man in his thirties began by knitting a beautiful scarf in japanese yarn, which he was so proud of, and he's now progressed to knitting a poncho for his mother!"

If that in itself isn't proof that knitting is fast becoming a trendy pass-time, it also appears to be very fashionable with the younger set, with students from Bexhill Textile college also visiting Fran and learning to knit as part of their course work.

In addition Fran plans to start classes for children in the near future which will be held on a Saturday.

Wa Waa's is open six days a week. For further information visit Fran's website at: www.wawaaswools.co.uk or call Fran on (01424) 222 488.