CROWDS turned out at a Craft Centre in Somerset last Saturday (February 27, 2010) to see a knitting designer who appeared on Channel 4’s ‘Kirstie’s Homemade Home’ programme.

Suzie Johnson, who owns The Wool Sanctuary in Weston-super-Mare and is now well-known for appearing on the television show hosted by Kirstie Allsopp, attended Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre’s Craft Centre on Saturday, February 27 to hold free knitting demonstrations.

Miranda McPherson, Supervisor at the Craft Centre in Monkton Heathfield between Bridgwater and Taunton, explained: “We were very pleased that Suzie was able to come along to the Craft Centre last Saturday. People recognised her for her appearance on Kirstie’s Homemade Home programme in April 2009 with her knitted draught excluder.

“Suzie hosted knitting demonstrations at the Craft Centre and gave visitors helpful tips and advice. She also showed people how to make a knitted lavender bag made up of coloured squares and how to bead on knitwear.”

Suzie discovered her love for knitting when she was five-years-old and has been knitting ever since.

She worked for supplier Rowan for more than six years before starting her own business, The Wool Sanctuary, in 2007, which she runs from home and can be visited by appointment only. Suzie also hosts workshops and a successful Knit Club that has more than 60 members.

The specialist Craft Centre was created to serve the needs of the area’s keen and potential bead crafters, card-makers, scrapbookers, cross stitchers, canvas embroiderers and knitters.

The Centre stocks everything from card-making kits to wool and has a programme of free demonstrations. There are also paid for workshops, where people can get hands-on craft experience.

For further information about Suzie Johnson, please visit www.thewoolsanctuary.com.

Photograph caption: (From left to right) Annie Livingstone from Taunton and Miranda McPherson, Supervisor at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre’s Craft Centre, get knitting tips from Suzie Johnson.