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Needleworks by Holly Berry
Perpetuating the love of the stitchery skills, Needleworks by Holly Berry, and owner Kathryn Read have been busy for 11 years in Old Colorado City Historic District, all part of Colorado Springs in the state of Colorado.
Kathy has been an artist specializing in painting for some 35 years. She designed a small, charming little A-frame house that she named the Holly Berry House. She used the name of this house as her company name, which became well known locally, and became the home of her gallery shop, and also became her company logo.
Being a lifelong devoted knitter and stitcher, it only seemed natural to open Needleworks right next door when opportunity presented itself. Needleworks by Holly Berry was born, and it's broken out into two sections, knitting and stitchery - each section with its' own classroom. The business offers an amazing array of classes taught by a fabulous team of teachers. They teach knitting and crochet, needlepoint, wool appliqué, needle felting, tatting, card making, rubber stamping and watercolor. They are known for their classes, workshops, special events and programs.
Now, you'd think being a painter, designing your own studio/gallery, opening your own yarn shop and stitchery center would be enough, but Kathy also has an art stamp factory. These rubber art stamps carry the company name of Holly Berry House Originals, and the factory is in an old warehouse that's actually attached to the back of the yarn shop/stitchery center. All of these bits and pieces are all attached and functioning properly in the Old Colorado City Historic District of Colorado Springs.
With the demands for her artwork, designing and attention to business in general, Kathy doesn't get a to knit as much as she would like, but she is never without a knitting project at her fingertips. her most recent accomplishment is a very long, simple and a bit elegant light grey tube scarf of baby alpaca from Blue Sky Alpaca, knit for her husband. She says "it's warm, luxurious and looks smashing with his slightly curly nearly white hair". Kathy is a firm believer in simple patterns with beautiful, quality yarns!
Old Colorado City is a small, National Historic District, founded in 1859. It nestles in a small valley at the base of Pikes Peak, America's mountain, in the front range of the Rocky Mountains and very near to the famous Garden of the Gods park. Other attractions in the area to take advantage of is Manitou Springs, where you can stroll the quaint streets and a visit to the Air Force Academy.
You'll find Needleworks by Holly Berry directly across the street from the old historic cabin in Bancroft Park, safely ensconced in an old Victorian building built in the 1870's. This building once housed the supplies for the livery stable next door. The rubber stamp warehouse housed the hay and grain. Wagons used to pull up in the alley to load right at the dock that now ships art stamps and yarn.
Kathryn Read also started the Holly Berry House Folk Art Festival 32 years ago, and it continues to be a major fundraiser for the beautiful Rock Ledge Ranch Living History Museum in Colorado Springs. Now a few words from Kathy -- "Needleworks has been especailly rewarding as we have taught knitting to literally hundreds of students of all ages. We have become a meeting place for knitters, and many deep and abiding friendships have been born right in our classroom. We welcome you all to Needleworks by Holly Berry when you are passing through."
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