They’re called the “cornerstone of the knitting industry” and new and potential customers got the chance to experience it at first hand when Curtis Yarns took part in a nationwide awareness campaign.

Ely Standard: Yarn shop day, Left: Customer Rebecca Amps buying goods from Elaine Palmer of Curtis Yarns,Ely. Picture: Steve Williams.Yarn shop day, Left: Customer Rebecca Amps buying goods from Elaine Palmer of Curtis Yarns,Ely. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

The High Street store celebrated on Saturday by joining forces with others from across the country for a ‘Love Your Yarn Shop” campaign run by the magazine Let’s Knit.

Ely Standard: Yarn shop day, Left: Elaine Palmer and Barbara Curtis, of Curtis Yarns,Ely. Picture: Steve Williams.Yarn shop day, Left: Elaine Palmer and Barbara Curtis, of Curtis Yarns,Ely. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

Ely shop owner Barbara Curtis was on hand to welcome customers to see the variety of knitting yarns now available.

Mrs Curtis used to have a smaller store in a kiosk by the library but moved to the High Street 18 months as business expanded.

“We get customers from all over the country,” she said. “We even have customers from Australia – people visiting the UK come to us when they’re in the country and stop off in Ely.”

Let’s Knit editor Sarah Neal said: “Where would we be without our local yarn shops? Many of us rely on them for their personal advice, expert recommendations, and even as opportunities to meet new people.

“We think that yarn shops form the cornerstone of the knitting industry, and for that reason, we want to celebrate them.”

She said the ‘Love Your Yarn Shop’ campaign had been launched in conjunction with their sister magazine Let’s Get Crafting.