Angel Hair Yarn Staff

Andrea I relearned knitting when I was in my early thirties. I originally learned at my mother's knee when I was about eight years old. She taught me how to cast on and knit. The stitches, however, were so tight I needed a jackhammer to work them. So, as any eight year old would do, I gave up. Here I am today, older, more loose (my knitting) and CO-owner of Nashville's only full-service knitting and crocheting shop. For once in my life, I enjoy what I do! I like to help our customers reach their desired skill-level and I also like to correct mistakes. I can't choose a favorite type of knitting-I like to do so many things; lace, colorwork, modular pieces and cables. It's hard to pick just one. So, as a result, I always have about five things on needles at once. That is, I'm told, the sign of a healthy knitter!

Pam I have been knitting on and off since 1984, when I saw a Vogue Knitting magazine in a bookshop that just blew me away. What? Me, make these cool sweaters? You bet! It wasn't until I found out the last knit shop in Nashville was closing that I realized how much I really loved the craft. Andrea and I opened Angel Hair Yarn Co. six months after the other stop closed and we get busier every year! I love to teach beginners to knit, so that is my shop specialty. I also love to help customers figure out how to read patterns. My personal favorites are unusual sweater constructions (like cuff to cuff or strips), slip stitch patterns, textured stitch patterns and reading knitting histories. So many knitting things to learn and try... so little time!

Charisse I have been knitting for almost 7 years and although I first learned to knit at age 8, I, like others, made one misshapen yucky acrylic scarf and didn't think about knitting for another 20 years. I decided to pick it up again when I discovered I was to become an aunt. My favorite things to knit are super-tight sweaters or socks and my favorite yarn is wool, wool and more wool. And if I have to knit with cotton, then it's still wool :) Seriously, cottons: Blue Sky Cotton or Rowan DK Cotton.

Liberty I learned to knit when I was 10 in Augsburg, Germany.  All the little German girls would knit so I had one of them teach me.  I didn't know how to bind off so I didn't knit for long!  When I had my second child I needed something to do at home for myself.  So I bought a book and re-taught myself.  I have not stopped since.  I love mixing textures and colors, and creating new looks.  I also do Celtic art and hope to use this in future designs.

Robin Robin insists that she does not work at the store. She just “helps out.” When she is not helping out, she teaches second grade at a local elementary school. Having taught more than 200 seven-year-olds how to knit (along with reading, writing and math!), she has untangled more mangled balls of yarn than she cares to admit. Robin likes projects that are mindless and beautiful. That’s why she enjoys making felted bags, slippers and hats. Robin learned to knit from a neighbor when she was a little girl in Germany.

Peggy I taught myself to knit when I was 8. I continue to knit because of the wonderful fibers that are available and for the relaxing pleasure knitting offers. My favorite thing to knit is socks. Sock knitting lead me to start a collection of hand knitted socks from around the world. I have exhibited my collection and I enjoy sharing them when I teach traditional sock knitting at Angel Hair. Knitting puts me in touch with times past and I am in awe of those who labored so hard to clothe their families when hand knitting and sewing was the only way to clothe your family....

Sue Sue has been knitting and crocheting for 41 years (can she be that old??) and as her love of the craft grows, so goes her stash! She is a Continental knitter, taught by her mom, and for years felt like a knitting outcast. More recently, thanks to enlightened knitters like Charisse, her Continental skills have earned new respect. Sue is happiest working on small yarns (like Koigu!) and small needles. Her knitting seems to go in themes: vests one year, ponchos the next, now skirts! Sue loves helping new knitters, meeting new and old friends, teaching and learning, selling yarn (the vicarious joy) and playing with yarn all day long! Can there be anything more exciting than opening a newly delivered UPS shipment??

Laura Laura has always been a busy-body...she used to drive her mother mad dancing about while nice people were trying to hold a conversation with her. The only thing that would keep Laura's attention focused and her feet still was doing crafts. She learned to crochet chains and sew buttons at a young age. A nice lady taught her to knit at age 12, but after knitting an oddly shaped baby blanket, she returned to dancing for the next 12 years. She re-embraced the art of knitting while working at a bead store 5 years ago. Fate brought her in to shop at Angel Hair Yarn Co. a while later, where she would meet a lifelong friend, Stephanie, a former Angel Hair employee. She has since then knit way too many shrugs (but really, can you have too many???) and has just recently left the corporate world in order to hang out with yarn all day. Her favorites are: GGH yarn, Rebecca and Jo Sharp patterns, anything teal/turquoise/green, and anything bamboo. Oh, and she crochets a bit too!

Ellen

JoAnne