Not long ago, I had a great red hat. It fit me well, it was warm, and it looked cool. For two cold winters I wore it almost everyday. Then, I lost it.
Well, as it was rather a simple model, I thought I could be able to make a substitute by myself. At least I decided to give it a try. To get the necessary raw material, about 100g of red wool and a piece of felt, I went to the biggest department store in Helsinki; Stockmann, where you can by almost anything. Except for yarn and felt. From a friendly sales assistant I learned that Stockmann’s yarn department had just been adjourned a year ago, because “people are not anymore making things by themselves”. So, no wool, no felt, no lace, no knitting instructions.
What’s this? Have all the hobby craft wonderlands disappeared from the planet?
Indeed, many of them have, but luckily not all. A couple of days later I found a tiny shop, just in the corner of Korkeavuorenkatu and Pieni Roobertinkatu, that sells quality wool in wonderful shades. A couple of weeks ago I also found an absolutely fascinating ribbons&buttons shop in the second floor of Hakaniemen kauppahalli. It’s called Punainen Lanka. Check it out if you’re in Helsinki.
