Where In The World Is Making Stories - Fine Fettle Fibres

Welcome to another edition of 'Where In The World Is Making Stories?' - our regular segment where we visit one of incredible stockists and explore their corner of the world! Today, we are dropping in on Judith from Fine Fettle Fibres who lives and works in the UK. Judith describes Fine Fettle Fibres as her 'creative dream', and from the moment you land on the homepage of her website, you have transported there yourself. A whirl of colour and inspiration greets you, and it has us dreaming of one-day setting foot inside her shop for real. If you are lucky enough to be in visiting distance of her, be sure to stop by for us!

Q & A With Judith

1. Tell us a little about yourself! Where in the world are you?

Fine Fettle Fibres is in Felton, a village in the beautiful county of Northumberland in the North-East of England where I came to live about 10 years ago. I'm about 6 miles from the most fabulous coastline and there's plenty of space here to walk and breathe!

2. What is your knitting community like?

Being a little off the beaten track, Fine Fettle Fibres is more of a destination shop. I have loyal customers who are discerning in their yarn choices and are prepared to travel some distance to get top quality yarn and patterns from the best designers, along with good customer service. I have regular knit and natter groups on Wednesday and Friday mornings which are a delight and it's great to see people connecting, friendships growing and creativity blossoming over coffee, cake and a shared interest!

3. Tell us more about 'Fine Fettle Fibres'!

I specialise in British and Fair Trade Yarn in natural fibres. Most of my stock comes from small, independent British producers and dyers but I also stock yarn from Manos del Uruguay, an inspirational women's co-operative that has World Fair Trade Organisation recognition. As well as helping knitters find their perfect combination of pattern and yarn, I also love teaching and run regular workshops to help my customers improve their skills, enhancing their enjoyment of their craft and opening up new possibilities for them.

4. How do you decide what yarns and supplies to stock?

With difficulty! There is so much amazing yarn out there and I am passionate about supporting small yarn producers, especially those with rare breed sheep. But even though I have expanded my premises there is still limited space and choices have to be made. I try to think about what yarns go with which designs and also provide a good cross-section of fibre type, yarn thickness, colour palette and price range so that as many knitters as possible can find something that works for them.

5. What made you want to add Making Stories to the products you sell?

I felt that the ethos behind Making Stories fitted with my own. I love the designs and the production values and am very happy to support this publication going forward.

6. Do you have a favourite type of knitting project?

I think garment knitting is my absolute favourite although I usually also have something small on the go that I can take with me on a journey or just chill out with when I'm tired!

7. What is your favourite making tool?

I love my Addi Premium circular needles and use them for most projects, although, on the rare occasions when I knit flat, I use KnitPro Symfonie straights.

8. What is your favourite making memory?

My very first Fair Isle hat which I completed during my first visit to Shetland Wool Week in 2014. It was the Midnight Sun Tam by Sandy Blue in Jamieson's of Shetland Spindrift and it is still my favourite headwear!

9. What do you do when you knit - watch a movie, read a book, nothing, ...?

I occasionally watch TV or Knitting Podcasts when I'm doing plain knitting but mostly I listen to audiobooks. I find it a great combination and really absorbing. 

11. Anything else you want to share about 'Fine Fettle Fibres'?

Just that anyone who makes the trip to see me will find a very warm welcome!

12. How can we find you?

My shop is upstairs within Gallery 45, 45 Main Street, Felton, Northumberland, NE65 9PP and I'm there Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm each week. My website is www.finefettlefibres.uk and you can contact me on judith@finefettlefibres.uk. I'm also on Instagram @finefettlefibres and Facebook @finefettlefibres.