Yarns Unlimited Celebrates 32 Years of Business and a New Location!
Yarns Unlimited is moving! They haven’t moved far—they are still downtown, still offering great classes, still have their table in the middle of all the cozy yarns where people gather to talk and work, but they are excited to show off the sunny new space and new features. This tight knit community (sorry, couldn’t help myself) wasn’t going to let Yarns move without a bit of help. The “Knitters,” as they are lovingly called by owner Mary Ann Gingles, pitched in and helped move, set up cabinets, and paint the new shop. Their new weaving studio and classroom helps to keep the classes more separate from the retail space. A customer who has been around since the original store was moved to tears when she saw the new studio. Gingles says that the teachers are so excelled that people drive from 3-4 hours away just to take the weaving classes. Come see the new space for yourself during their grand opening and 32nd birthday celebration from Sept. 2-4, 10am-6pm on Fri/Sat. and 11-4 pm on Sunday.
Business Spotlight: Yarns Unlimited
By Mary Ann Gingles, Owner and Guardian of Yarns Unlimited
Hello, everyone. I’m Mary Ann Gingles, the current “owner” of Yarns Unlimited.
I’m not fond of the word “owner” unless it’s referring to something material. I never refer to myself as the owner of my beloved dogs, I’m their guardian, and I feel the same way about Yarns Unlimited, I am its guardian or steward at the present time.
The two previous stewards, Betsy Blumenthal and Suzanne Halvorson, both weavers, nurtured the shop lovingly. Betsy , who now lives in Colorado, continues to be a friend to the shop and we’re still in touch with her; Suzanne, who lives locally, is still very much a part of the shop and is the leading weaving instructor. They both worked hard to ensure that the business is sustained to serve the fiber crafts community. Like them, I’m committed to continuing this legacy. I’m also committed to having weaving be a vital component of the shop. Though I’ve dabbled with weaving a bit on my rigid heddle loom, I am primarily a knitter and secondarily, a crocheter. I’m thrilled that Yarns is not just another knitting shop. Yarns is fortunate to count among its staff and instructors experts and masters in the field of weaving, spinning, knitting, crocheting, dyeing, felting and more. It’s a place where creative ideas are exchanged, talents are shared, and lasting friendships, made.
I learned to knit just a few years ago when I took a beginning class at Yarns, followed by a class on crochet. It got me hooked and I have been obsessively knitting and crocheting since, which is evident by the numerous samples or projects I’ve made that are hanging at the shop. I can’t think of anything I would rather be doing when time permits. Unfortunately, my responsibilities at the shop sometimes get in the way. If you’ve been in the shop and are familiar with my work, you know that I have a preference for chunky knits and modern styles, which adds to the mixture of different styles the other staff and instructors bring to the table. We are certainly a diverse group. Oh, also, I’ve been known to almost never stick to the pattern–I like to personalize my projects and improvise as I go, which makes me unpopular with my knitting instructor.
I hope you will share my passion for knitting and dedication to the fiber crafts tradition. It allows people to work with their hands and make beautiful things. It provides an opportunity for creative collaboration and meeting of kindred spirits–it is good for the soul!
