Ethel and Em
Tucked into the heart of Lancaster, Ethel & Em is more than a yarn shop - it’s a creative hub built on community, colour, and the joy of making.
Founded by Melanie Shed, whose career spans nearly four decades across retail, buying, and ecommerce, the shop represents a full-circle moment. After years in fast-paced, often male-dominated corporate environments, and navigating the personal shifts that come with midlife, Melanie chose to build something different: a welcoming, inclusive space rooted in creativity, connection, and independence.
The name Ethel & Em honours two remarkable women who shaped that vision - Ethel, Melanie’s bold and rebellious mother, and Emily, a gifted crocheter whose creativity never dimmed, even in the face of illness. Their spirit lives on in everything the shop stands for: resilience, individuality, and the power of making.
A Shop for Every Maker
Ethel & Em is proudly crochet-first, but warmly welcomes all fibre artists - knitters, weavers, felters, and macramé makers alike. Whether you’re picking up your first pair of needles or hook or simply building on years of making, you’ll find:
A riot of colour across carefully curated yarns
Budget-friendly natural fibres that don’t compromise on quality
A selection of tools chosen for how they actually perform
Honest, experience-led advice - no jargon, no pressure
It’s a space where learning is encouraged, curiosity is celebrated, and no question is ever too small.
Growing Through Change
In recent years, like many small businesses, Ethel & Em has had to adapt. What could have been a setback, when Melanie needed to close Analog shop which was situated on the same street as Ethel & Em, became a turning point - transforming into a successful “shop-in-shop” concept that brought together Melanie’s yarn business and her lifelong love of stationery and offline creativity under one roof.
The result? A stronger, more sustainable business with a wider product range, lower overheads, and a loyal, growing customer base. It’s a testament to one of the shop’s core beliefs: don’t be afraid to change direction - just don’t stand still.
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Why Visit
Ethel & Em offers something increasingly rare - a genuinely personal retail experience. It’s not just about what you buy, but how you feel while you’re there:
Supported, not overwhelmed
Inspired, not intimidated
Part of something, not just passing through
Whether you’re starting your first project or searching for the perfect yarn for something special, you’ll leave with more than materials - you’ll leave with confidence and ideas.
The Ethel & Em Knit Knot and Natter
Weekly on Wednesdays, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
The Ethel & Em Knit Knot and Natter is a weekly fibre craft session where likeminded crocheters and knitters come together to work on their own projects in a convivial, inclusive and supportive space.
£2 Cash contribution when held at the shop or purchasing a drink or Gelato when holding sessions at Mio Gelato next door at 26 New Street.
Over 18s (under 18s can attend with an adult.
This is a communal craft session NOT a class.
Classes are listed under Workshops & Events on our website.
