Sisters go online as knitting comes back in to fashion
Two north Yorkshire sisters hope to capitalise on the re-emergence of knitting as a cheap hobby in the recession - by selling wools online.
Jadwiga and Anna Bialkowska - of Huddersfield and York respectively have launched the Serenity Knitting website selling natural yarns, cottons and wools with a low environmental impact.
They have signed up Designer Yarns of Keighley and Rowan of Holmfirth as suppliers. The site will also have knitting patterns, a product search, accessories, advice and a blog.
Wool mark: Internet entrepreneur Jadwiga Bialkowska
Jadwiga Bialkowska used to be a finance manager in treasury valuations at Bradford & Bingley before moving to Skipton Building Society, where she is due to finish work today, has knitted since the age of 10.
She said: "Knitting is undergoing a massive resurgence because it is a great practical hobby for the current econimic climate and because it taps into the current creative impulse, helping to make unique and durable garments.
It is also becoming very fashionable, with Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz becoming avid knitters, as well as millions of ordinary people."
The sisters also hope to encourage the use of natural fibres which have a low impact on the environment, from cotton plants to silk worms and they are offering an email response service in French and Polish.