Yarn Store Focus – the Artful Ewe.
Keeley Richardson
Founder and Chief Fiber Officer
A visit to The Olympic Peninsula always comes highly recommended and the charming town of Port Gamble offers up a real treat for fiber lovers. Stepping inside The Artful Ewe is a magical experience. If you are lucky, you may even get to pet one of Heidi’s beautiful pet Whippets while they recline on a velvet armchair. It is a delight to have Heidi take part in the Woolpack Fiber Heroes Q&A, and fill us in on what we can enjoy in her beautiful store.
Who can we expect to meet when we visit your store?
Well, it’s just me and three whippets! Heidi J. Dascher, but you will regularly find friends of the Ewe knitting in the Cozy Corner, on the days I am open, Friday,Saturday, Sunday 10-5pm.
Where do we find you?
The shop address is 32180 Rainier Avenue NE, Port Gamble, WA 98364 Little Red building next to the green water towers.
How long have you been there?
It will be 16 years next month… Mother’s Day! I am the longest tenured merchant/tenant in town!!
What will we find in your store?
Hand Dyed yarn and fiber (dyed by me in my garage/dye studio, where I work from home Monday-Thursday.)
What are your favorite yarns/fibers?
Of course I love the luxury fibers… cashmere, yak, baby camel, silk. But I also love a good toothy wool like Blue Face Leicester… still soft but a work horse!
What’s on your needles right now?
Just finishing up another Calliope sweater, making a striped marled version out of the Suri Silk Cloud lace weight.
What notions can’t you live without?
Well, my favorite needles are ChiaoGoo, I don’t know if they’re a notion but they’re my favorite “tools”. A tape measure – very important! Needle sizer and ruler for checking gauge (critically important). Darning needle and Scissors (my favorite little leather case containing both of those items from Thread & Maple).
What’s your advice for a new yarn enthusiast?
Swatch, Swatch, SWATCH!!! Know your yarn and if there’s a recommended needle size for a particular yarn, follow the recommendation, especially if it’s superwash! That’s an entirely different subject that I could talk about for hours!
What is coming up in the future at your store?
No real changes on tap. I’ve got a couple new bases that will be introduced over the next couple of months. Beyond that just more new colors!
Any recommendations for additional places to visit while visiting Port Gamble?
Well of course Butcher & Baker Provisions if you’re interested in some fabulous food!
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