• Originally published May 24, 2008 at 12:38 a.m., updated May 24, 2008 at 12:38 a.m.

PORT LAVACA– Yarn can feel silky and still be green.

That’s what Barbara Johnstone, owner of the Unwind Yarn Shop, thinks.

After moving to town in 1989, she and her husband bought the building at 133 E. Main St. in Port Lavaca in 2001 and started refurbishing them. She opened her yarn shop on Sept. 1, 2007, after she couldn’t find quality yarn for her knitting hobby. She moved the shop to the storefront on Main Street in March.

Johnstone hosts a knitting group from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays to share in a hobby. She would even teach a class on Mondays if residents wanted.

Today, she’ll introduce the public to Southwest Trading Company’s karaoke yarn, made from the residue of soybeans from tofu manufacturing.

Q: Why did you open Unwind Yarn Shop?

A: I started knitting two years ago. There’s not a local yarn shop nearby. Our knitting group had to go to Austin or Houston to buy yarn, or get it over the Internet. You can get great yarn over the Internet, but you’re not able to touch it and feel what it knits up like.

Q:Why did you take up knitting?

A: It’s a relaxing hobby. Something I can do that’s very creative and easy.

Q: How many come to the knitting group?

A: We’ll have up to 14 ladies sometimes. We have wine, knit and work on our projects. It’s just a fun thing to do.

Q:Why are you having a karaoke yarn event?

A: Just to let people know there’s other yarn out there besides acrylic. There’s great-feeling yarn. It’s so much fun to knit with yarn that feels good. They have green yarn. Their fibers are organic. That’s their big selling point.

Q: What else does Unwind offer?

A: I give lessons any time somebody wants to learn how to knit. I don’t charge if they buy yarn from me.

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