A stitch in time saves nine, and that's certainly the case for haberdashery shop owner, Helen Ireland, who opened the doors to her new premises on Wednesday.

The Congleton West Heath resident has expanded her business Helen's Emporium, on Congleton Road in Sandbach.

Her move to a bigger premises follows her successful stall in Sandbach Indoor Market.

The booming business was launched nine years ago by Helen, and she started selling wool after buying a wool business in March last year.

The Congleton homeowner found more and more people had taken up knitting during lockdown, sending her sales not only for knitting but also for crocheting through the roof.

Now the enterprising businesswoman, who was taught to knit and sew by her own mother, a seamstress, is poised to start weekly 'Knit and Natter' classes to help others ride the trend.

"It's such a great hobby to have and I've seen more and more people taking it up during lockdown," said Helen who also says crocheting is popular.

"All ages are knitting and crocheting. I had one elderly gentleman ask me how to crochet and I showed him how he could teach himself using a You Tube video."

Quite like sourdough and banana bread in 2020, knitting became the trendy lockdown hobby of 2021, which has seen Helen's company go from strength to strength.

Helen, who was once a Q & A technologist in Middlewich, sews and knits herself and is busy making bunting for the Queen's Jubilee celebrations to sell in the shop.

"I've always loved sewing and knitting. I make aprons, bunting and cushions. My mum was a seamstress and taught me to sew and knit. I could knit by the age of eight."

Helen, who stocks everything from crochet needles, to cotton thread and needles, says all types of wool are proving popular, including chunky wool and wool for baby clothes.    

"We're definitely seeing a trend for people making things themselves and having a go. Lots of ladies have gone back to knitting during lockdown."

Helen's Sandbach shop is open five days per week.

Helen's Emporium is open Tuesday 10 am to 2pm, and Wednesday to Saturday 9 am until 4pm.

Congleton Nub News wishes Helen all the best in her new venture.  Her Sandbach shop is just a seven mile drive from Congleton.

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