Knitting-obsessed mum opens haberdashery 'like your granny's front room' in Derby

A Derby mum has opened a haberdashery store in the hope of inspiring locals to ‘make knitting great again.’

Sherri O’Shaughnessy, 41, from Derby has set up shop at Nesco House on Bedford Street, seven minutes away from the city centre. 

The building is part haberdashery store, part cosy craft room where people can buy yarn and crochet supplies, have a cup of tea, sit on the sofa and immerse themselves in all knitting paraphernalia.

The shop is inspired by the idea of being in your grandma’s front room and learning to knit and sew. 

Read more: Love Derby

Following her passion for knitting, sewing and crafts, Sherri hopes Derby Stitchery will inspire locals to either pick up new knitting skills, or rediscover a talent for sewing. 

Busy Sherri splits her time on Derby Stitchery, which she opened in October 2023, and another family business making men’s grooming products.

The opportunity to open a craft-based business came up when part of the building became available.

Sherri said: “My passion is knitting, crochet and needlecraft.

“When the front of the shop was empty, I thought ‘Shall I open a wool shop?’”

Fast forward three months and now Sherri is working hard to foster and create an enthusiastic knitting community base from her shop.

She has regular customers who attend coffee mornings and ‘Craft & Cuppa’ afternoons which take place every Thursday and Friday.

Knitting has been part of Sherri’s life since childhood. She has been knitting and crocheting for around a decade, and she boosted her knitting skills helped by family and YouTube. 

She said: “My mum has knitted for as long as I can remember, my grandma, and mother-in-law too. So when I became a mum, I thought I’d give it a go.”

The cosy shop sells a beautiful array of yarn in a multitude of colours, knitting needles, patterns, essential haberdashery items and more.

A talented creative, Sherri’s amazing work can be seen dotted around the shop.

She makes 'Mighty Rams' a nod to Derby County Football Club's mascot, which is handmade to order and a hit with customers.

Her biggest creation so far has been a Highland cow which took a week to make.

Sherri’s other works of art include a rhino, peacock, giant octopus, and stag head.

Sherri also hosts workshops and knitting classes including a ‘make your own macrame pot hanger’ where all materials are provided and you can learn how to cross-stitch and embroider.

Sherri’s motivation behind the creative lessons is to share her love of knitting with others and help people reclaim the art of knitting, which can sometimes be lost between generations.

Sherri said: “Gone are the days where needle-crafts are passed down from generation to generation, that's why we've decided to open our own yarn shop and start teaching people the crafts that we love. 

“We have designed the shop with a relaxed and welcoming feeling in mind where you can come and browse our yarn and haberdashery items, have a chat about your latest work in progress or join us for a class or Craft & Cuppa morning. 

“We encourage people to come sit on the sofa and get crafting.”

Sherri, who is a fan of creative television programmes enjoys the ‘making process’ and loves to see it in action. 

She said: “I do like watching The Great British Sewing Bee, I love The Great Pottery Throwdown too. I just enjoy watching people create things. I just want people to stay creative.”

Sherri has high hopes for Derby Stitchery and amongst an exciting roster of events planned in 2024, is the Pattern Exchange. 

Sherri said: “People can donate their unwanted knitting and crochet patterns, borrowing some that are already here. We don’t charge for them, we just want people to go away and use them. We want to make everything as accessible for people as possible.”

Knitting can be fun and it need not cost the earth.

Sherri said: “There is a section in the shop called Oddballs, which consists of yarn looking for a second home. You can buy wool for 50p and second-hand needles for 50p, so you could learn to knit for £1.”

Derby Stitchery is open Wednesday to Friday 9am till 4pm, and Saturday 9am till 5pm. 

For more information about Derby Stitchery and updates on upcoming events visit their social media profile by clicking here.