Her knitting cubby has spooled into one crafty collection

There comes a point where a few cherished items suddenly morph into a full-blown collection.

What’s a collector to do?

For Kim Payne of Everett, it began with collecting knitting spools, some of which date back to the 1930s.

“I probably have a good 100 of those,” she said. The spools often are decorated with a figure of a little girl or a clown. They’re topped with four nails or pegs on which yarn can be wound and knitted.

Many, however, were manufactured as toys for kids to play with.

At first, Payne began putting them in a cubby hole in a spare bedroom.

But then there was another problem. “Every knitter has lots of yarn they have to put somewhere,” she said.

Then her collection expanded to vintage knitting items. “It just sort of grew,” she said.

So now the spare room in her northeast Everett neighborhood home has been converted into a knitting-themed craft room. The wall art includes vintage knitting advertising, magazine covers and a knitter’s eye chart.

Payne, 51, an Everett High School and Western Washington University graduate, works at the Everett Public Library as a cataloger of new books and DVDs.

It’s a workplace where some fellow employees share her love of knitting.

In 2011, about a half-dozen of them gathered to knit replicas of the major figures in Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding, including Queen Elizabeth II’s corgis.

The library has scheduled a “pre-party” June 3 at its Evergreen Way branch of the annual worldwide Knit in Public Day on June 9.

Payne began knitting in 1990 by taking a class at Great Yarns on Rucker Avenue.

She said she’s recently started knitting a blanket — her first — for Warm Up America, a Texas-based nonprofit that coordinates volunteers to knit and crochet afghans and clothing for people in need.

For those of you who love to celebrate royal weddings even beyond the official wedding day, you may be cheered to hear that the knitting library workers have been at it again.

Look for knitted replicas of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and other members of their wedding retinue in the circulation office window of the Everett Library’s main branch, 2702 Hoyt Ave.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.

If you go

As part of the World Wide Knit in Public Day celebration, the Everett Public Library has scheduled a pre-party from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on June 3 at the Evergreen Branch Library, 9512 Evergreen Way in Everett.

The “knit in” will include snacks, games and prizes. Crocheters and other crafters are welcome. The program is free, and no advance registration is required.

Call 425-257-8250 for more information.

Your room could be next

This story is part of an occasional series on themed rooms. Do you have a Greta Garbo bedroom? A living room that maps your world travels? We want to feature your special room in the Homes section. Email features@heraldnet.com.