Thursday, April 9, 2015

A Local Yarn: A Story of the Shivering Sheep


A Local Yarn: A Story of the Shivering Sheep


What started as tinkering for a creative little girl, steadily become a passion that fueled a dream. Jeannie Price was only three years old when she first picked up a crochet hook. The desire to work in Fiber Arts has been in her blood ever since.

Jeannie Price Showcasing Her Creations at the the Shivering Sheep
She spent her professional life as a Cytotechnologist and Histotechnologist. A Cytotechnologist is someone who specializes in the study of cells and determining early stages of cancer and other abnormalities on the cellular level. The job requires a great deal of microscopic study and advanced education.  Histotechnologist’s are very fundamental in the detection of tissue abnormalities and the treatment for the diseases causing the abnormalities. They use dyes and chemicals to differentiate. Normal and abnormal processes identify tumors and help aide in the greatest probability of a cure.

It was while leaving to go on vacation, that Jeannie noticed the little shop she wanted for her soon to be knitting store, being vacated by the current tenants.  Even though she was still working a full time job, she was not going to pass up the opportunity to acquire the shop!  After forty three years at the microscope, it was the realization of Jeannie’s dream to retire to her knitting shop. Along with the support of her husband, she successfully opened her store the Shivering Sheep, and started a Thursday night, Learn to Knit Night.  It was just a simple get together for women to learn how to knit in the basement she refinished.  But she was overwhelmingly pleased on how popular her Thursday get together’s had become. Three months later, when she came down to open up, there were woman lined up all around the perimeter of the store.

A World of Fibers
 I walked into the Shivering Sheep with the intention of writing a fact based article on Jeannie’s Spinning wheels, but I realized upon leaving there was so much more than that inside her welcoming little shop.  Don’t get me wrong, the traditional Saxony style Spinning wheel is a wonderful piece of art, and the wheel handmade for her out of aeronautical materials is remarkable. But what truly captivated me was Jeannie’s love for her craft; her timeless dedication of over 65 years of experience. Not to mention, the tedious laboring of twisting, cleaning and turning the most primitive of fiber into a yarn, lovingly hand dying her wools, and fibers with all natural ingredients and generously donating handmade mittens, scarves and hats to local school children.

If you’re looking for a friendly knowledgeable source for all your knitting needs, and the chance to learn to knit for free, why not head down to the Shivering Sheep?


308 N Buckeye Ave, Abilene, Kansas 67410
(785) 263-7501
Hours
Wednesday - Saturday  10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The Shivering Sheep is a full-service knitting, crochet, spinning, yarn supply & gift shop. We have all the supplies & accessories for the fiber artist. There are finished wearable & accessories, along with home decor & gift items for sale in the shop. Classes for all levels & knitting groups are scheduled. Over 50 years of knitting & crochet experience to assist you.

The Shivering Sheep can be found on the Abilene and Salina Kansas mobile Apps. 

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