About

Great Balls of Wool is the premier yarn store in Powell River, British Columbia.

The Shop
A quality wool and yarn retail store, located in Madame Loukes’ heritage 1930’s house on Marine Ave. Her exclusive dress shop was located next door. The curved ceilings and original maple flooring contribute to the exclusive boutique style ambiance.


At “Great Balls of Wool” we celebrate the resurgence of wonderful wools and yarns from the past as well as a full range of the newest styles and developments from around the world.  High fashion patterns and yarns come from Europe, Japan, Scandinavia and North America. And some art yarns come from right here in Powell River
Catering to the needs of the knitting, crocheting and art community with range, variety and affordable prices.  Some original knitted garments for sale.
Workshops and lesson on-going.
GBOW opened on Nov. 1, 2010 and has continuously expanding since.  We have received wonderfully positive feed-back from the community at large as well as customers who travel here from the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Lower Sunshine Coast, U.S. and Europe.


The Cast

Roisin Sheehy-Culhane owns Great Balls of Wool, works in the store most days, and teaches several of the classes. She thinks patterns are meant to be modified and enjoys designing knitted garments.

Roisin's father taught her to identify and value quality wools and tweeds, during his ownership from the 1960's to the 1980's of a shop, "Market Ireland", on Grafton Street in Dublin, Ireland. Roisin has a few pieces from her father's shop on display at "Great Balls of Wool".

At a time when many people retire, Roisin decided to open GBOW when she could not find high quality wools and yarns without getting on a ferry.

Roisin is a great-niece of Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington and Francis Sheehy-Skeffington.

Lynda Hopkins is the Empress of Hats, works most days in the store, and teaches the hat and felted handbag classes. She was born and raised in Powell River, and is a life-long knitter.





Elly, Mary-Lou, and Marlaine teach classes.

Alane is the GBOW blog curator.