Stressed student turns crafting into cash
ALANNA YUEN, CONTRIBUTOR
Kelly Unrau relieves stress at the Notre Dame Campus as she knits a scarf for her line of products, Knit & Purl Creations. THE PROJECTOR/ Alanna Yuen
Two-year old Zoey Tremblay stands beaming while she models a white, knit hooded cowl. The photo is one of many on Knit & Purl Creations’ Instagram that showcases the various knitted and crocheted garments Tremblay’s aunt, Kelly Unrau, has created.
Unrau, 23, an animal health technology student at RRC, started knitting three years ago during winter as an outlet to relieve stress. It turned into something more when her boyfriend encouraged her to start selling her products.
“I was hesitant at first because it’s time consuming, and I didn’t want to be overwhelmed with people wanting things from me, or not being able to make certain things,” said Unrau. “But I just gave it a go and it’s been good.”
Unrau taught herself to knit by watching videos on YouTube and following along to patterns in books she purchased. Her sister, Sara Tremblay, said Unrau’s craft came as a surprise.
“It sounds weird, but it came out of nowhere. She just started knitting and now she’s made tons of different products for people all over the place,” said Tremblay, 25.
Other items on Unrau’s Instagram include colourful infinity scarves, makeup remover pads, area rugs, baby booties, toques, mitts, slouchy beanies and headbands.
With the help of Tremblay and her daughter Zoey, Unrau has been able to test things out before putting her items on the market.
“Sometimes getting Zoey to put stuff on her head when she’d rather be playing is hard. But when she gets into it, she gets a lot of attention and enjoys it,” Tremblay laughed.
Currently, Unrau only sells her items via Instagram, but is eventually looking to expand to Etsy, an online marketplace where people from all over the world connect to make, buy and sell goods.
She is also interested in selling at local craft sales and farmer’s markets once she has enough inventory.
“My dream would be to go to Scattered Seeds, which is a craft sale here in Manitoba,” Unrau said with a smile.
Once Unrau completes her AHT course in May, she is hoping to land a full-time job at a veterinary clinic in Charleswood and continue knitting for Knit & Purl Creations.
For a custom order, email Unrau at unraukelly_09@hotmail.com or comment on an Instagram picture @knitandpurlcreations.
