Knitting Never Felt Better

Jubili: Supplier of Crafts, Life-Changing Experiences

When things happen for a reason, it sometimes takes years before the universe is ready to reveal its reasoning.

Walk down Haddon Avenue, until in front of the shop housed by number 713. Stop. The reason behind its existence is not apparent at at first glance.

In a moment's gaze, it's easy to absorb bright announcements of beading classes, knitting workshops and craft supplies. The logical conclusion— Jubili Beads & Yarns is an arts and crafts store. 

A good start, but not nearly a finish. Jubili is certainly one of the region's most extensive suppliers of beads and mixed media crafts.

But a moment's gaze couldn't possibly tell Jubili's story, reveal that it is so much more than an arts and crafts store.

Jubili has quite a story to tell. But it wasn't always this way.

Owner Dr. Judith K. Weinstein, 58, of Mount Laurel, spent years immersed in education, with dreams of becoming a physician. She did this, practicing invasive-procedure radiology for 10 years.

Weinstein's profession required her to wear a lead apron during procedures, a protective defense against radiologic exposure. The protection weighed-in at 25 pounds. Behind her was a screen, on which she could view her work on a patient. 

Weinstein spent years craning her neck back and forth, from screen to patient, under the weight of lead.

"I didn't leave my profession by choice. I felt the pain coming on little by little," Weinstein said of feeling repercussions. "The pain was getting so bad, I could hardly bear the feel of wearing clothes, it was so painful."

Something was wrong, but it took six separate doctors—each offering no reason for Weinstein's ailments—to find a physician who knew how to help her. 

"Here I was, a physician myself. And after you see five doctors with no answers, you start to really think you may be crazy, that you're imagining the pain," she said. "When I finally met the doctor who helped me, he stopped me as soon as I told him about the lead aprons. He rattled off about 10 symptoms I'd been having, and asked me if he was right. I just started crying, I couldn't believe I'd finally found him. I wasn't crazy, the pain I felt actually existed."

Nerve damage from bearing years' worth of excessive weight had resulted in Weinstein's reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). The RSD brought with it a life-changing treatment plan—her life would continue with physical therapy and treatment. But she could not practice as physician again.

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With her signature style, the bestselling and beloved needlework author Nicky Epstein offers the best guide to felting. Using ten chic garments and more than 150 stunning sample swatches as examples, she covers the top techniques for turning wool yarn into vibrant and dense textures. Before and after shots show how different fabrics react to the process, and there are patterns, stitches, and techniques for lace, mosaics, cables, plaids, checks, and quilting. Create bobbles, appliqués, and ruffles; combine yarns; and use clamps, marbles, cords, braids, and more to form three-dimensional shapes in the felt. Epstein also presents her unique ideas for transforming old clothes and accessories, using one sweater to demonstrate many design possibilities. An array of attractive home décor projects completes the collection beautifully. A Selection of the Crafter's Choice Book Club.