NINJA knitters who have raised thousands of pounds for charity have paid tribute to the woman who inspired them as she casts off into retirement.
Chief knitter Jane Bates has been running the headquarters of the Bedale Yarn Bombers for the past seven years. It’s a secretive group which bombards the town with knitted hats, characters, flowers and bunting to mark almost every occasion from Christmas to Tour de Yorkshire.
Jane has been running the New Jersey wool shop in the town’s Market Place but at 65 she is retiring in September. The shop is for sale and she is desperately hoping it carries on as a wool shop and knitting centre.
“I have had an absolutely brilliant time,” said Mrs Bates. “All my life I dreamed of running a wool shop, I opened it in memory of my mother who had always wanted to run one and taught me to knit as a child.
“It’s like a family. The Ninja Knitters all gather in the shop to chat, discuss patterns and examine each others work, it’s wonderful for customers because there is always knitting going on."
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