Skein Sisters is the product of years of planning by friends Deb McDonald and Janine Smith (that’s Deb on the left and Janine on the right).

Both grew up surrounded by knitting and sewing. Deb started her career in retail, fashion & textiles, working at The Fabric Shop, Chatswood and in Ladies Knitwear at Harrods, London. Later, she became one of Australia’s leading garden journalists – editing ABC Gardening Australia magazine, writing books and newspaper columns, and appearing on radio.

Janine’s career was in advertising and marketing, with over a decade at Network Ten and roles at Reebok Australia, Ogilvy & Mather, Major League Baseball and two lively years in marketing for a London casino group.

The pair met while working at the Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens in Sydney and bonded over their love of yarn. Frustrated by the limited range of yarns available in Australia and the high cost of buying from overseas, they decided to create the shop they’d always wanted.

Skein Sisters opened in April 2017 and now spans two sites – a shop, plus an office and dye studio where Skein Sisters Yarns are created.

Deb and Janine are deeply grateful that Skein Sisters has become a much-loved part of Australia’s crafting community.