For the love of yarn — New store opens downtown Andy
Published 12:02 am Thursday, May 30, 2013
Stitches are just in Louise Walker’s blood.
The former travel nurse is the owner of Pale Moon Yarns – Andalusia’s newest arts and crafts supply store.
Located across from the Andalusia Public Library, Walker has transformed the storefront into a rainbow-colored collection of fibers and a welcoming site for creativity.
“I’ve knitted and crocheted forever,” Walker said. “When my husband took the job teaching at the middle school, I had just been offered a director of nursing position in Iowa. I couldn’t do that to my family, and when we got to Andalusia, we fell in love.
“But there was no place to feed my hobby,” she said.
With the introduction of Pinterest and other crafting sites, the interest in crafting has exploded, and after realizing she had to travel outside the area to sites in Fairhope and Mobile to get her yarn supplies, Walker said she decided to capitalize on both the love of the hobby.
“The great thing about knitting and crocheting is that anyone can do it,” Walker said. “Once you get the basics down, your only limit is your imagination.”
Walker said she has made everything from socks and scarves to vests, hats and gloves.
“But not a lot of sweaters,” she said. “Those take too long, and I wouldn’t want to give them away.”
Inside the store, one will find all the necessary supplies for knitting and crocheting projects – including high-end fibers.
And for those wishing to get started, Walker is offering a multitude of interactive options at the store.
On Tuesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m., locals are invited to a “coffee and knit” session.
“While the kids are at their activities, this is a great time for moms to come and get together, see what everybody is working on and just gab,” Walker said.
On Wednesday nights from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., she will host another knit night, she said.
In the future, Walker hopes to offer classes on knitting, crocheting and spinning.
“These classes will start out small – teaching you from the basics up,” she said. “We’ll start with a simple project and advance up to socks, lace knitting and blankets.”
As interest develops, she may offer other classes for other crafting projects, Walker said.
The store is open Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The store can be found on Facebook at “Pale Moon Yarns.”