Have you ever walked into a shop and found yourself, within mere moments, enveloped by the warmth and cheer of the people inside? And then immediately drawn into the conversation? I think it is rare to have this experience in today's retail world. Today I had a lovely shopping experience, and I am bursting to tell you about it.
My friend and knitting buddy, Liz, and I went to a craft show at the GF Civic Center, where we saw some amazing handbags. The bags were knitted and then fulled (boiled, spun out in a clothes dryer, and then shaped before drying...some people call it felting). They were colorful, fun, and really great looking. The designer was Nancy McGrath of Moseskill Marketplace in Argyle, and she was nice enough to give us some pointers and ideas to help us get started. From the craft show we headed to a yarn shop Cyndie told me about, called Knit Wit Kreations.
Knit Wit is located just off the park/traffic circle in Hudson Falls, on Main Street. When we pulled up to the curb I thought it must be a tiny little shop, but when we opened the door we were surprised and delighted to find that the shop was much bigger than it looked, and it was filled to the brim with great yarns, yarns that can't be found at ACMoore, Michael's or JoAnne's. Knit Wit is worlds above the big box stores in its selection, organization, and customer service. When we walked into the shop we were warmly greeted by eight or so women who were sitting around a large circular table, enjoying an afternoon of knitting and chatting. At least three of them hopped up to greet us, and the shop owner, Claire (Cyndie's friend) came over to greet us as well. I have never felt so welcomed upon entering a shop. There was an almost tangible excitement in the air as women of varying ages connected over yarn and needles, and we found ourselves swept along in their tide of good cheer.
We were pointed in the direction of wool yarn, necessary for making fulled bags, and we spent at least an hour poring over the wonderful colors and textures we found there. Claire also let us know that they keep a dollar bin of yarns being discontinued in the room at the back, and we practically ran to it. The dollar bin held some really great choices, and I came home with six skeins of colorful, fun yarn. I also chose two skeins of purple wool, which I am itching to knit into a great handbag.
In this paragraph I will fall dreadfully short in my journalism skills...I don't know the store's hours, actual address, or phone number. I do know that on Saturdays from 10:30am til 4pm they offer free knitting lessons, and if you want to join their circular table of knitting friends you can chip in for lunch (pizza this Saturday, which looked and smelled quite yummy). I also know that you won't be disappointed by what you find behind the door...a group of friendly, outgoing, helpful people who are more than willing to offer knitting tips, suggestions about yarn, or ideas on technique (priceless for novice knitters). You'll find knitting machines, knitting and crochet supplies in great quantity and quality, and more pattern books than I could count. You'll also find great spirit and excitement for knitting, and that's the most important part of the equation. If you knit or crochet (and you live near me) you NEED to check out Knit Wit...maybe I'll see you there on Saturday?
Cyndie and Claire, if you want to fill in the details I didn't catch you can certainly leave them in the comments section here.
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