18 hours ago
40 years of The Dropped Stitch
A three-generation family yarn shop is in Victoria Road, Portslade, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
The Dropped Stitch was founded by Hilary and Peter Bath in 1985, and is now run with their son Anthony and his wife – and their 11-year-old daughter helps out too, by selling her own tie-dye creations.
"It's huge," Anthony says of the milestone.
"When we got to 35 years we didn't know if we would reach 40, because Covid hit us hard at first."
But after Wendy and Robin went into administration during the first lockdown, panic-buying of their yarns boosted the shop and gave it a new impetus.
As well as selling knitting yarns and haberdashery, The Dropped Stitch has stained-glass art by Hilary, hair accessories handmade by Sue and clothes and accessories tie-dyed by their 11-year-old daughter, who has been an important part of the family business since she was just nine. It also runs a logo embroidery service.
The family will be marking the event throughout September with celebrations including a raffle, yarn sales, giveaways and more. It will also join a nationwide celebration of independent yarn shops, UK Hand Knitting's Yarnstravaganza, from September 27 to October 4.
