It's 2:00 p.m. June 6th, and Hailey Suby, 16, is winding a ball of yarn on a swift in the back room of String, a knitting boutique.

"This is actually my first job ever," said Hailey.

Although she's new at winding globes of yarn for patrons of String, 9325 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch, according to Hailey, she's no stranger to the art of knitting.

"My mom's the one that taught me," said the Mountain Vista High School student. "I've been knitting since I was in the fifth-grade."

An employee of String since early May, Hailey, who aspires to study History upon her graduation from high school, states that knitting has become exceedingly popular.

"There's even a knitting Olympics," she said.

Knitting is a hobby that typically brings in women. But, accoring to Hailey, the boutique's clientele frequently includes couples, children and even men on occasion.

When patron intake is slowest, and when she's done interlacing yarn into tightly-wound balls, Hailey likes to accomplish projects already started or begin new ones.

"I get paid to knit," she quipped. "It's pretty cool."

String, in its third year of business in Highlands Ranch, offers beginning, intermediate and advanced knitting classes to the public. Blankets and quilts are the biggest project String enthusiasts undertake, says Hailey.

Agreeing with her young colleague, Amber Wells, 37, stated that first time knitters typically start crafting scarves. Specific garbs, like socks, are little more advanced, according to Wells.

With the walls of the trendy boutique blissfully festooned with every shade of yarn imaginable, Hailey declares that knitting is for those with disposable income.

"It's more expensive to buy the yarn than the sweater," says Hailey. "This is more for the serious crafter."

Other businesses that offer leisure-seekers hobby materials are not much of a competitive threat, explains Hailey. String's material is of much better quality, she affirms.

Is this just a summer job for Hailey?

"No," she says. "I plan on working here through school."

If you want to pick up that needle and knit a little garment yourself, you can find more information about String and its services at www.stringboutique.com.