Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
READY FOR CUSTOMERS — Karla Harrison, left, owner of County Yarn Basket and Peggy Crane, owner of Rather B Quilting, are ready for customers at their combined shop, located one mile off the North Road onto the B Road. Harrison just opened the County Yarn Basket late this summer.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Where can you buy yarn? Look no farther than the County Yarn Basket.
County Yarn Basket, owned by Karla Harrison, is located one mile off the North Road onto the B Road alongside Rather B Quilting, which correlate well to each other.
“Fabric and yarn go together,” said Harrison.
Peggy Crane and Harrison are cousins and over a conversation Harrison asked Crane “why not carry yarn at her shop?” Yarn and fabric go together like hat and glove. Crane, owner of Rather B Quilting, didn’t know much about yarn so Harrison took her experience and love of yarn, made a deal and stocked the shop.
“Hopefully, we will make a go of it,” added Harrison.
County Yarn Basket, which opened in late July, offers a wide array of quality yarns, patterns and accessories.
“We have sock yarns, bulky yarns and regular knitting yarn,” Harrison added. “I carry brand names such as Plymouth, Cascade, Regia, Marble, Trekking, Step, Zauberball Crazy and I am sampling future yarns such as 100 percent cotton yarn recycled from blue jeans. I didn’t realize there were so many varieties of yarn, everything from soy milk to bamboo. It was a bit overwhelming at first when the yarn company representatives showed up with their mega totes of yarn samples. I tried to narrow it down to what I thought a customer would buy. That was when I took advantage of my long time knitting buddy Jo Holmes, who has vast knowledge in the yarn world. And, Peggy would chime in on color selections.”
So, it appears there may be more yarn brands and colors coming in the future to County Yarn Basket.
There is no shortage of yarn or knowledge at the County Yarn Basket.
“We have all the popular brands in stock and core items,” said Harrison. “Now, I am working on adding the ‘fun’ stuff.”
That fun would include such things as kits, accessories and books for the holiday season.
Harrison has been knitting since grade school when she participated in 4-H.
“I made some slippers for a project,” she said. “I come from a long line of knitters in the family and truly enjoy hands-on projects.”
Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
LOTS OF ITEMS — The County Yarn Basket located inside the Rather B Quilting shop on the B Road has lots of yarns and accessories for knitting.
Harrison also attends a newly organized knitting group, which meets each Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Houlton Cary Library.
“The knit group is open to anyone,” said Harrison. “If someone doesn’t know how to knit, come and learn.”
One night, Harrison held a “Needle/Yarn Tasting,” which Harrison brought in new needles and yarns she wanted the group to try.
“Anyone interested in trying yarns or needles can come into the shop any Saturday and try knitting with square needles, wood or metal and give us your opinion,” said Harrison. “We carry Knitter Pride, Addi Turbo and I’m looking into the Kollage line.”
“I thought they might like to try out different things to see how it all goes together,” she added.
Harrison will also hold classes at the County Yarn Basket if there is enough interest shown.
The County Yarn Basket is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Crane is at the shop full-time, with Harrison being there most Saturdays and occasionally days after school. For more information or to place an order, call 532-9229.
Harrison needs input from customers as she expands her inventory.
“There are a couple more yarn companies I want to work with,” said Harrison. “Right now, I want to know the customers’ interest. I have stocked the ‘bones’ now I want to expand based on my customers’ needs.”
As the County Yarn Basket increases its customer base, Harrison hopes to continue growing.
“Peggy and I are seeing returning customers and we are excited for a prosperous winter,” said Harrison. “It’s looking up. New items are coming in weekly and we have some nice in-store specials.
“It has been a learning, but fun endeavor,” she added. “I look forward to talking with customers and seeing their projects and hearing the stories when I get to the shop on Saturdays.”
