Shop Profile: Fringe

The last of our new shops for this year's yarn crawl is Fringe, located on Alexandra Palace Road in Muswell Hill. Set in the middle of a row of lovely shops and cafes, Fringe has a wide range of products to tempt Yarn Crawlers, ranging from yarns to ribbons to knitted jewelry and sweater kits. 

How would you describe your shop's atmosphere in three words?

Welcoming, Inspiring and Calm.

What makes you different from other yarn stores?

Fringe is a shop, workshop and gallery space. As well as stocking yarns made from natural fibres, we also champion work by UK designer-makers and encourage local people to take up heritage crafts in our range of workshops.

What is the most popular type of yarn or product that you carry?

Rowan yarns are popular with both beginner knitters and those with more experience. MillaMia merino is especially favoured by our customers who like to knit for babies and children - it also makes really lovely garments for adults. 

Aside from the yarn, we’ve found that our knitted and crocheted wire jewellery is always much admired - the maker Suraya Hossain also provides kits and teaches workshops with us.

What expertise or classes do you offer to your customers?

Every member of the Fringe team has a different craft skill, so we are fortunate to be able to offer daily advice to our customers on an array of knitting, crochet, sewing and felting skills. This know-how is reflected in our range of workshops for children and adults which cover a variety of knitting and crochet skills from the basics through to working with cables, knitting lace and colourwork techniques. There are sewists amongst us who teach needlecrafts and dressmaking, plus we welcome independent tutors with specialist skills in heritage crafts like rug making and basketry.

What is notable about your part of town/your location?

We are located on a vibrant row of Edwardian shops on the fringes of Muswell Hill. From an artisan deli and café to galleries, a music shop and a gastro pub we are based on an attractive parade amongst likeminded retailers who seek to promote creativity in a variety of ways.