Carolyn Pugh, proprietor of Skein Lane at 7512 Fairmount Avenue in El Cerrito, has been named by the El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce as the city’s “Small Business Owner of the Year” for 2004.

Since she acquired her shop in 1996, it has grown continuously over the years, thanks in large part to the positive word of mouth generated by her many customers, who have made Skein Lane headquarters for West County needle enthusiasts.

While expanding her store’s product lines over the years to include the newest yarn, tools, patterns and books, Pugh is proudest of the fact that over the years she and her staff have taught hundreds of people to knit, crochet, and do needlepoint and cross-stitch.

Pugh, along with winners from other area chambers of commerce will be honored at the fourth annual Contra Costa Council’s Small Business Owners Award Luncheon to be held Thursday, May 13 at the Concord Hilton.

In nominating Pugh for the business owner award, El Cerrito Chamber President Bill Kerber praised her for “continuous support of our business organization’s efforts to improve the economic climate for small business here.

“Not only has she always supplied her customers with products of the highest quality,” Kerber said, “she has also given generously of her time to teach customers how to best use these products.”

The Skein Lane owner has been involved with fibers and fiber arts since early childhood. She learned to knit on the playground of an Australian school, and continued on with formal studies of textiles and fibers throughout her high school and college days.

During the first four years show owned Skein Lane, 2004’s Small Business Owner of theYear worked both inside and outside the shop. Since March of 2001, she has been working full time at the local business.

Prior to acquiring Skein Lane, Pugh was employed in the corporate world, starting as a bookkeeper for Canada Dry in west Berkeley, and then moving on to employment in the accounting/controller field for several industries. When she wasn’t working as a controller for the YWCA, she served as a volunteer on one of that organizations finance committees.

During the mid-80s, she accomplished two person goals: completing her college education, with graduation from St. Mary’s of Moraga, and the combining of her passion for knitting and fibers with her corporate background by offering classes at the Albany Adult School.
Today, Pugh reports she and her staff are eagerly looking forward to educating and serving many future generations of needle enthusiasts.