Masons, the fabric and wool shop in Stert Street, Abingdon, is the oldest of the three Masons shops and is a family business that has been in operation for over 80 years. It is managed by a lady who has been there for 40 years, starting as a Saturday girl.
The shop was originally owned by two elderly ladies, and when one of them passed away, the other decided to sell it but asked the new owners to keep the name, Masons. So, although it has been run by the North family, they have kept the name Masons (ref 1).
The shop is still known for its wide selection of knitting and crochet wool. There was a decline in knitting in the 1980s and 1990s, but during the 21st century, knitting and crocheting have become increasingly popular (ref 2).
Knitting and crochet are both relaxing and enjoyable activities. They are creative activities where people can use their imagination to create unique and beautiful items. They are also relatively inexpensive hobbies. A bonus for Abingdon people is that they have Masons in the town centre.
Source:
1) https://www.masonsfabric.com/about
2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_knitting
Absolutely brilliant local business, thank you for celebrating them
when an aunt visited from a few hundreds of miles away she couldn’t wait to get in there – she bemoaned the lack of a local equivalent and was in knitting heaven.
Excuse the cliché but this particular business is part of the fabric of Abingdon.
Very punny 😉
So glad that Masons are still going, and that wool crafts have come back in too. The other shop on Bath Street always seems to be busy as well.
Yarn bombing and the post box toppers are nice things to see around the town as well. My favourite were the crochet bats hanging on the railings down by the Wharf, they did disappear but I saved the photograph!