Knitting in Massachusetts

Yarn Store Maps

I said I was going to stop blogging, but just had to write an entry on two possible alternatives to this site:

First, in case you missed Paige's comment on the previous post, she has launched an interactive map of local knitting spots. It includes not only yarn stores but also knit-friendly cafes. If you click on the places listed, you can see reviews. If you register (free), you can add your own favorite yarn stores to the map or comment on the places already written about.

I also got an email from someone named Cindy who has created a nationwide map of yarn stores. This one only shows locations — there are no reviews.

Just looking at it quickly, it's pretty spotty: It lists a store in Boston that hasn't existed in years — and that I think was only a distributor or publishing company anyway (Yarnwinder); lists The Knitting Room but leaves out some stores that have been around longer (Woolcott & Co., Mind's Eye Yarns, and Windsor Button, to name a few). But if you email Cindy you can update her.

Wiki in the Works

There will be a Mass. knitting wiki! Omar and Betsy are setting up a Wiki where we can post listings and reviews of yarn stores. I'll post a link when it's ready for prime time.

Spark Craft Studios

I always meant to write a review of Spark Craft Studios after writing about the fact that it was going to open last year, but never got around to it. So here is a short review.

This studio is located near the Davis Square T stop in Somerville, opposite the Brooks Pharmacy parking lot. It's sort of along the lines of one of those make-your-own-pottery places: It offers a space to socialize while doing needlecrafts, paper crafts, or beadwork, and you can also get help from the staff and from other customers. The store also holds special events and offers classes and space for hosting private parties.

Spark Craft Studios is in a large, cozy space that occupies two floors. There are couches and worktables to sit at while you work, and coffee and tea is available. There are also some private work rooms where classes and private parties are held. The studio has resources available for customers' use — craft books, magazines, and tools (a yarn winder and swift, sewing machine, etc.). The studio also offers retail sales of craft materials, including yarns and notions (more on that later). If you want to actually do crafts there, you can either buy a day pass, get a 10-visit pass, or buy a three-month or one-year membership. (An initial studio tour is free.)

A selection of about 60-70 yarns is for sale on the lower floor and includes ribbon yarns and novelty yarns as well as basics like cotton and worsted-weight wool. The range is pretty good considering the relatively small selection. The stock changes, but yarn brands I've seen there or that are listed on the Spark Craft web site include Malabrigo, Red Heart, Manos del Uruguay, King Tut, Karaoke Soy Silk, Adrienne Vittadini, Tahki Stacy Charles, Cotton Classic, Filatura di Crosa, Mango Moon, and Araucania Nature Wool. There are also patterns from Stitch Diva Studios, Gedifra, Minnowknits, and Araucania Nature Wool.

Accessories are on the first floor and on previous visits have included Susan Bates notions and crochet hooks, Clover bamboo needles (both straights and double-pointed), Addi Turbo and Addi Bamboo Natura circular needes, Red Heart "Crystalites" clear plastic crochet hooks, and Skacel steel crochet hooks with rubberized handles. (See the list of brands carried.)

Spark Craft Studios
50 Grove Street
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 718-9132
hello@sparkcrafts.com

Old News, But Knitting Needs Has Closed

This is old news by now, but in case there's someone out there who hasn't been by in a while and was thinking of visiting for some holiday shopping, they should know that the store Knitting Needs and Crochet Cravings in Norwell has closed. (The store was located on Washington Street.)

Loom 'N Shuttle in Ipswich Has Web Site

It's at www.loomnshuttle.com.

Loom 'N Shuttle
190 High Street (Rt 1A)
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-5551
info@loomnshuttle.com

One(?) Last Post: Porter Square Books Knitting Group and Book, Yarn Discounts

I meant to post this before I decided to stop this blog, so here it is.

Porter Square Books has a knitting group that meets one Sunday a month, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. It's called Knit One, Read Too, and the next one meets this coming Sunday, Dec. 11. According to the store's web site, the group is for knitters, crocheters, quilters, and "other handwork enthusiasts."

The store will offer selected craft books at 10 percent off, and Mind's Eye Yarns, which is right across the street, offers 10 percent off all yarn for session participants on days that the group meets.

I'll try to make a few updates to the yarn store list and knitting group list in the next few weeks, and post one or two reviews people sent in over the last several months, but will not be posting any new information that's sent in. I'm also considering archiving the contents of this blog (along with the store and group lists) and posting them somewhere else (on space that I won't be paying extra for, that is).

Thanks to everyone who's written or left messages about the site.

Porter Square Books
Porter Square Shopping Center
25 White Street
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 491-2220
info@portersquarebooks.com

Mind's Eye Yarns
22 White Street
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 354-7253
lucy@mindseyeyarns.com

Pulling the Plug

You've probably noticed that this blog has not been updated very frequently in the past several months. Although I've enjoyed doing it, I've found myself less and less motivated to update it. So, I'm going to call it quits. I'll probably leave the list of yarn shops, the list of knitting groups, and this blog up for at least another few weeks, but I will be taking the blog down eventually because I opted to use the paid version of Typepad for it and don't want to keep paying for a dormant blog.

Maybe someone out there wants to start a Wiki with reviews of local yarn stores and information about knitting groups, activities, sites, and miscellaneous info? It seems to me as if all those things would be natural applications for a Wiki. Instead of the information being funneled through one person, with resulting bottlenecks of information that doesn't get posted for weeks or months (sorry!), people could post their store reviews, updates about newly formed knitting groups, charity knitting info, etc., directly on a Wiki site.

I have no idea how to create a Wiki, and I wouldn't be willing to put the time into it even if I did know how, but maybe there's someone out there who would? If so, and if you want to use the information I've gathered as a starting point, feel free to email me at mspizziri@rcn.com.

Nov. 19 - Circles' Second Anniversary Celebration

Circles knitting salon in Jamaica Plain will be having a second-anniversary celebration tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 19. There will be a massages, mini-workshops, demonstrations, door prizes and, they say, "a surprise or two."

People will be welcome to relax in Circles' sitting room all day and knit. There will be workshops you can sign up for, so it's a great opportunity to learn techniques like cabling, provisional cast on, loop stitch, magic loop, double knitting, in a fun, party atmosphere. There will also be a pot luck.

More information can be found at the Circles newsblog, or you can call Circles at 617-524-5500.

DATE: Saturday, November 19th
TIME: Noon until...
LOCATION: Circles, 555 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain

Blue Heron Yarn Studio Moved

Blue Heron Yarn Studio has moved from Hyannis to Barnstable Village on Route 6A. The building they were in got put on the market and so they had to move. Phyllis Detwiller of Blue Heron writes:

Our new space is considerably smaller, but so far the response has been wonderful because it's light, intimate and cozy too.

Someone named Janna writes in:

MUCH easier to find and get to than their previous location.

The new address is 3261 Main St., Barnstable, Mass., next to the fire station. New phone is (508) 362-8812. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Blue Heron Yarn Studio
3261 Main St.
Barnstable, MA 02630
(508) 362-8812
(800) 699-2497

Hub Mills Store Now Has Web Site

Thanks to Eric for his comment letting everyone know that The Hub Mills Factory Store in Lowell now has a web site. I'm posting it here for the benefit of those who didn't see the comment.

The people at Hub Mills also emailed me about this, but since I've been more lax than usual about posting, I didn't get around to it until now. Apologies. Here's what they say about the site:

The visitor is able to browse through some of Classic Elite's closeout yarns and purchase them at a discounted price. We also offer many of Classic Elite's pattern booklets and leaflets at regular price.

There is also information about the store, including a downloadable PDF of directions to our new location.

Hub Mills Factory Store
122 Western Ave.
Lowell, MA 01851
(978) 937-0320