Well I'll be Darned

As part of our fundraising efforts for LBH’s special care unit we’re running an amazing raffle that has been made possible by the generous donations of businesses.

One donator is the lovely Kelly from ‘Well I’ll be Darned’. Kelly thought she may never be blessed with children after 16 years with one partner and no pregnancies. So when Kelly found she was pregnant with her new husband at age 36 she described it as “…a major shock and a blessing.” Kelly now has two little ones and is able to stay at home with them while running ‘Well I’ll be Darned’.

Kelly had made some knitted props for a friend working in photography, absolutely delighted with what she had created she urged Kelly to consider setting up a little business. Kelly checked around and discovered there weren’t many knitters selling on Facebook and almost no custom knitting available. So ‘Well I’ll be Darned’ was born on April 4^th 2011, Kelly’s birthday! Just over a year later and the business has 1772 likes on Facebook! The ‘little’ business became so busy that Kelly was forced to refuse further orders for nearly 6 months in order to keep up with the massive influx!

Kelly can knit anything. She said she does make suggestions, and most people will stick with those with maybe a colour or sizing change. Occasionally, Kelly said, she does have someone ask “…for totally unique items. So I do pattern searches, search down specific yarns etc., really do whatever the client wants. Variety is amazing and something that keeps my interest rather than knitting the same thing day in, day out. I love it!”

Quality is important and Kelly ensures nothing leaves her store that she wouldn’t be happy to put on her own kids. “I definitely knit with loves and truly hope that shows through in my work,” Kelly said.

Kelly said she is happy with where her business is at the moment. She makes just enough to treat her kids- mostly to more handmade items from fellow FB stores, Kelly says she is a real handmade addict! Kelly says while she could employ knitters to grow her business if it ever got big enough but she feels she would be to concerned about relinquishing control when they might not have her enthusiasm or love of the job.

Kelly has offered to donate one boys item and one girls item to the raffle, stay tuned to our Facebook page where we will showcase the raffle prizes available in the months to come. Be sure to check out ‘Well I’ll be Darned’ on Facebook as well and thank Kelly for her generous donation to the Northern Rivers Child and Family Market. 

If you would like to hold a stall or contribute a prize to the raffle and help to support the Lismore Base Hospital's neonatal care unit then please email us at nrcfmarket@hotmail.com