Women from far and wide have gotten the knitting fever and are excited to have such a full-service shop in town. The quality and variety of McLean’s yarn offerings is exceptional, thus the “candy store” feeling when one walks in and starts browsing the choices. From novice to expert knitters and those who crochet, BellaFilati not only offers all the yarns and tools needed, but the shop excels in the quality of service and instruction available. Beautiful knitted items are displayed throughout the shop, not for sale but as examples of what is possible with the right materials and instructions.
McLean, her husband Steve and son David moved here from Laurinburg. Originally a music major in college, she says she switched majors and became a high school English teacher. Proficient in piano, organ and harp, she also taught private piano lessons.
“An aunt of a good friend started me knitting as a child, sitting out on the front porch on Sunday afternoons,” says McLean. “I’ve also sewn a lot over the years for my family.”
In 1998 McLean’s life changed. Her 16-year-old son Chris died in an automobile accident.
“I found that I couldn’t concentrate and wasn’t comforted by playing the harp anymore,” she says. “After a while I went back to knitting and found it extremely therapeutic. I feel knitting is a ‘sacred time’ and it opens people emotionally.”
McLean’s thoughts about the therapeutic benefits of knitting expand when she talks about the “sense of community” knitting brings when people come together to knit.
“There are ‘Stitch and Bitch’ groups out there,” says McLean with a laugh. “We have set aside Thursday evenings here in the shop from 6:30 to 9 as “Knitters’ Night Out.” On an average night, eight to 10 knitters attend this event.
“One of the most popular knitting community services out there is the ‘Prayer Shawl Ministry,’” says McLean.
According to an article she has on this nondenominational service, “the ministry is part of a national movement where dedicated women of all religious denominations knit or crochet prayer shawls at monthly gatherings. The finished shawls are then given to people who are grieving or ill or are caring for a sick family member.”
The article continues to describe the colorful shawls as made of soft, comforting yarns with fringes along the edges. “As each shawl is made, prayers of peace and healing for the recipient are finely woven into the threads.” Sometimes called prayer shawls, comfort shawls or peace shawls, a special prayer is recited when they are place around the shoulders of the recipient.
“It is a way of saying that ‘we clothe you with a mantle of love and praise to replace a spirit of heaviness that has surrounded you’,” says Barbara Keyes, RN in the article.
There is also a knitting ministry for children’s sweaters that is sponsored by Guidepost magazine. These sweaters are given to relief organizations throughout the world.
McLean supports both the prayer shawl and children’s sweater ministries. She donates the yarn to those knitters making these projects. McLean says Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines is very active with the prayer shawl ministry.
McLean says knitted items have always been popular, but now they are right on top of the most fashionable items.
“There are knitters out there from every walk of life, men and women, who love the art,” says McLean.
Classes offered by McLean include beginning and intermediate, sweaters, ponchos, felted handbags and Christmas ornaments. Classes are both in daytime and evening so everyone can attend.
She says she is planning on offering a men’s class after the first of the year, taught by Jim Phelan of Fayetteville who is interested in getting men into the fun. Phelan was encouraged by his wife, Susan, to learn to knit. He basically taught himself with tips from Susan. He said he avoided classes because he was self-conscious about being a male knitter, but now recommends classes for all new knitters. He feels the ‘male brain’ is perfect for learning to knit, saying it’s a fun, relaxing hobby but also can offer challenging math and problem solving.
Another idea McLean has for the New Year is to have a “customer showcase” display for a week “to show and share what my customers have made. I want to have a big party to celebrate the fact that we’ve made our Christmas gifts, given them away and now it’s time for us.”
“I’m thrilled to be here in such an upbeat environment,” she says. “I want to encourage the public to come in and join us in this national knitting boom. We have customers from all over, new knitters, sporadic knitters and longtime veterans. I truly believe women thrive from being with other women; we need each other. If you haven’t done this for yourself, you should.”
McLean is thrilled with her teachers and staff. Sarah Marie Fuchs works full-time. Others include Jody Mincey, Holly Floyd, Lori Pry, Liz Dalrymle, Nickki New, Mary Patterson, Paula Parke, crochet instructor, and Angel Stitely, who knits items for the shop and also teaches.
McLean promises inspiration for projects along with first-rate instruction.
Knitting groups are a time to learn, not only about knitting, but also for getting to know their neighbors, make new friends and even live longer,” she says.
Carol Clark is a freelance writer from Pinehurst.
