Wednesday, August 26, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
T H E PA N D E M I C
Hobbyist
Maintaining your sanity in Sisters
Reimagining
a community
of makers
The covonavirus pandemic has forced
many businesses to pivot to online sales
and services. The Stitchin’ Post has turned
their online presence into a community of
makers that refl ects the evolving person-
ality of the store.
World-renowned instructors — includ-
ing store founder Jean Wells — are offer-
ing online instruction that is far more than
a substitute for in-person classes. The in-
struction is thorough and repeatable, so
crafters can retain more of the instruction.
“You can pause it and do part of the
technique, start it up again and do another
part of the technique,” Valori Wells said.
Zoom-based Q&A sessions offer an-
other layer of quality to exclusive content.
Classes are in development to provide
opportunities to create as a family.
The shop also continues to offer in-per-
son classes in a COVID-safe environment.
“Our biggest intention is to stay con-
nected,” Wells said.
Makers who participate in person or
online know that, despite the separation
and isolation imposed by the pandemic,
they are still part of a vibrant community.
August 26, 2020
Wool Town is your
local supplier for
all things craft
Love Fest Fibers
541-797-6633
wooltownbend.com
115 NW Minnesota Ave.
Bend, Oregon
Knitting
Crocheting
Needle Felting
Macramé
Weaving
Wool,
silk, linen,
cotton, hemp &
bamboo yarns
Handmade crafts
soothe the soul
There is something profoundly satis-
fying — and soul-soothing — to creating
your own functional and wearable art.
Wool Town, located in downtown Bend,
puts the crafts of knitting, weaving, cro-
cheting, macramé, spinning and needle
felting within everyone’s reach with sup-
plies, kits and guidance.
“I have a lot of supplies,” says owner
Katie Ketchum. “We carry a wide range
of yarns in wool, silk, linen, cotton, hemp
and bamboo.”
Now is a perfect time to look forward
to the “indoor” season and the holidays.
Handcrafting gifts can be a meaningful
way to honor friends and loved ones.
“Try one of our unique-yet-simple knit
or crochet kits,” Ketchum suggests. “Hats
are a favorite to wear and give for the
season.  A scarf is another good place to
start. Or try a knit basket or throw for the
home.”
Needle felting is very popular.
“It’s a little simpler and it’s not as time
consuming,” says Ketchum. “You can
have something nice in a couple of hours.
It’s kind of like playing with clay, except
you’re playing with wool.”
Choose your
crafting adventures
Fancywork Yarn Shop is turning crafting
through the pandemic into an adventure.
Pandemic Project Mystery Kits are like
a choose-your-own-adventure project,
allowing the crafter to embark on a knit-
ting or crochet adventure from the safety
of home. Choose your adventure (price)
level and tell Fancywork what your craft-
ing vehicle is: knit or crochet. Then let
them know your chosen diffi culty level
or what your skill level is, and offer three
words of inspiration to go on.
“We’ll curate the perfect fi ber adven-
ture especially for you!” says Fancywork
owner Elise Jones. “Your Pandemic
Project Mystery Kit will include a pattern,
some pretty awesome yarn to make it
with, and maybe even a fun little surprise
to boot!
Jones, who has 30 years experience as
a knitter, offers a tremendous array of
yarns, featuring many artisan yarns.
“We’re proud to support the rancher, the
miller, the yarn houses,” she said. “There’s
something more alive about working with
that yarn.”
Fancywork will help you create some-
thing you’re proud of in your crafting
adventure.
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