Interview with Doodlestop!

What does the name ‘Doodlestop’ mean?
The name comes from my constant doodling! I draw on nearly every piece of paper I come across, mostly spirals, swirls and abstract designs. For me, it stands for high quality, innovative products, with really good customer care. When it came to naming my stitch markers, the name seemed to fit – and it fits the yarn buddies even better, as it stops your yarn doodling across the
floor!

Why did you decide to start making your own yarn buddies?
I’d looked for a long time for a solution to the problem we all have with tangled yarn and escaping balls bouncing around the place. I tried a few different things (yarn bowls, teapots, bags, centre pull balls…), but I was after something that I could pack away easily and use on the go wherever I was. I also have a toddler, so the solution had to be small-person-proof and easy to quickly hide away – and the yarn buddy was born!

Can using a yarn buddy help to improve your knitting?
It can help with your tension - the top plate (where your yarn rests) rotates on a ball bearing base as you draw off the yarn, and the even pull of the yarn with tension. I also find it really useful for when I have to pull back my work, as I can easily wind the yarn back onto the spindle so that it doesn’t get tangled on my lap.

How are yarn buddies made?
My husband and I make each one of them ourselves. They arrive as long planks of wood, and after cutting, spindle moulding, machine sanding, marking, drilling, assembling, hand sanding, engraving, sealing, oiling, lubricating, quality checking and customising, they’re ready to go!

Where did the idea for decorating and personalising the yarn buddies come from?
I really enjoy crafting, and my home is covered in odds and ends from various craft projects. I had some rainbow papers left over from a previous decoupage project and decided to give it a go! I love how it turned out and thought my customers might enjoy it, too. We get great feedback from our customers on our products and I think that it’s really exciting to be able to evolve my products to meet their needs.

What’s the strangest customisation request you’ve ever had?
Some are really unusual – the steam punk and gothic yarn buddies were lovely, and the Depeche Mode one that included the customer’s favourite lyrics was lots of fun to make! Others are really moving, like the pressed pansy yarn buddy purchased by one friend for another to remember her late brother. I also really enjoy the challenge of the themed market nights I take part in as part of Yarn Mama. Each month we set a theme, such as “Heroes and Villains”, and we all work to creating our products to the theme. They’re always a great inspiration and have resulted in some very unusual yarn buddies!

Why do you think it’s important that yarn buddies are handmade?
I think it’s important that as many things as possible are handmade! The care and attention that goes into something handmade can never be replicated by machines or mass produced. I buy as much as I can that is handmade, and most of the products on my website are handmade by other
crafters, too. I also find that many handmade crafters are small businesses, stay at home parents, and the sort of people who would stay up to 2am to make sure your order is perfect – it’s worth every penny to support them.

Are you a knitter? What are you currently making?
I have spend most of my yarn adventures so far in crochet rather than knitting! I’ve recently tried my hand at knitting, and am making slow progress. I’m really excited by the gorgeous range of things you can make with knitting. In my work-in-progress bag right now is a Mr Tumble inspired jersey for my son, a cotton shawl (or skirt – not decided what its going to be yet!), a lace wrap for my mum, two shawls, a cushion cover, a toy elephant and a pair of socks. I’m sure I’ve missed something there…!

To find out more about Doodlestop and her yarn buddies, go to www.doodlestop.co.uk, or head over to Yarn Mama to find out more about their quirky market nights!