Meet the Fiber Folks part dos (the Winniy Chronicles).
Meet Winifred (Winniy) Chin. She looks all serene and serious doesn’t she? I think she is pretty serene, but also a lot of fun.
Ok, back to the beginning. A few months ago, back in the dark days of winter, this lovely woman in the cutest leopard print hat comes in and we strike up a conversation. She’s just moved here from Toronto and worked in a hat shop there. We talked about design and fiber and before she left she asked if we were hiring. Why yes, I replied (then I went in the back and did the happy dance.). Winniy brought in her resume, talked with Becky and it is our very good fortune to have her as part of the Unique Yarns family. Winniy will be working the retail floor, and also with the online store when we get it up and running. Following is her answers to my oh-so-creative interview questions:
HS: What’s your favorite fiber art and when did you begin it?
WC: My favorite fiber art is crocheting. I started crocheting at age 9 when a Chinese heritage teacher introduced it to the class. My mother continued my education by showing me more techniques.
HS: Do you have a favorite “go to” fiber?
WC: I love all fibers. Especially mixes or blends like linen and silk or cotton and metallic. I also like metal wire, horse hair, and coir (editors note: coir is coconut fiber, how cool is that?).
HS: Of all your fiber projects, do you have a favorite one?
WC: My favourite is the Victorian Collar and Wrist Band that I wear for more dressy occasions and for pizzazz when I’m dressed down in the summer. (ed note: Winniy is teaching a class on this over the summer.)
HS: When you aren’t playing with fiber, what else do you love to do?
WC: I love hiking in the woods with my husband Ken and taking long walks or runs with my dog Ruby.
HS: What is on your needles right now?
WC: I’ve always made small pieces in the past, so I’ve decided to try a larger piece. I’m crocheting a shawl with Berroco’s Seduce in a taupe with turquoise flecks.
HS: What is something you would want shop visitors to know about you?
WC: I’m a Chinese Canadian from Toronto, Ontario discovering a new land and rediscovering a passion for fibers.