Boil the kettle, start the fire or just cosy up a little, because “CityNews” has some warm inspiration for the colder months.

The capital is starting to get chilly, and while there is more cold weather to get through, it does have its upsides.

Around the region, there are businesses that know how to keep things toasty. 

Carpet sale with old-fashioned service

Endeavour Carpets offers the largest range of top-quality floor coverings in Canberra and Queanbeyan, with options that help keep the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, says co-owner Taylor O’Brien. 

Established in 1970, and still a family run business, Endeavour will this year celebrate its 54th anniversary. 

“To celebrate, we have a sale running until the end of May on selected major carpet ranges, including free underlay upgrades,” she says.

Taylor says the business has maintained its original objective of displaying exceptional choices of carpet, bamboo, timber, laminate, cork floating floors, vinyl, vinyl planks and rugs.

She describes the company’s Fyshwick-based showroom as Canberra’s “greatest floor show” with thousands of samples on display and an experienced team of flooring specialists to make the customer’s experience as easy as possible. 

“Our showroom is so great that other retailers send their customers to view our huge range of top-quality floor coverings,” she says.

As a member of the Independent Carpets Group, Taylor says it means Endeavour Carpets can offer customers greater choice and the best available prices.

“As a family business, Endeavour Carpets appreciates that customers are spoilt for choice in a competitive market place, and so maintain an objective to offer the best service and products available and for the best possible price,” she says. 

When customers visit Endeavour Carpets, Taylor says they experience a good, old-fashioned service from a long-standing, local family business. 

“This is what really sets Endeavour Carpets apart from any regular carpet store,” she says.

“At Endeavour Carpets, we don’t just endeavour, we do.” 

Endeavour Carpets, 33 Isa Street, Fyshwick. Call 6280 6132, or visit endeavourcarpets.com.au

A woolly and welcoming community

Crocheting and knitting classes are the great way to socialise while staying nice and cosy, and Marg Secomb, owner of A Frayed Knot, says her classes are open to anyone and everyone. 

“First class we start with the granny square and it’s just to get you used to using the hook, the feel of the yarn and the processes, and getting used to the terms we use,” she says.

“Then when people get used to that they can come back and do other classes like learning about other stitches, different types of crocheting and then up to making toys.” 

But, Marg says, it’s more than just a crocheting class, with crochet and knitting being a great outlet for those struggling with their mental health, or for those struggling to find “their people”.

The small studio space fosters a welcoming environment, says Marg, and the small class sizes means everyone can feel attended to and comfortable.

“It feels like I’m a bit of an outlet for people who need somewhere to come and not feel intimidated or anything by the experience of other people,” she says. 

Marg says she also runs a Yack ‘n Yarn session, a two-hour class session where people bring along their projects, and she is there to help only when necessary, focusing more on people building connections with each other. 

A Frayed Knot, Unit 3, 69 Tennant Street, Fyshwick. Call 0434 833 131 or visit afrayedknotcbr.com.au