We're Back!!!! With a LYS Tour of The Red Thread!

So as anyone who has followed along the shop Facebook or seen the shop announcements may know, the Birds over here at Little Knitty Bird had to fly off to a new nest and after a few months of getting ourselves settled the shop, Facebook, and now finally the blog are back in action!

First a little housekeeping: Now that we're in the DC area, local area folks may get to see even faster shipping (after all, it doesn't take that long to move something from one side of town to another)! We will also be now showing up at some of the Northern Virginia region craft shows, beginning with the St. Timothy School Craft Fair on November 22nd, keep an eye on the Facebook page for more information on local craft shows and any other promotions going on!

With that done, let's check out the newest edition to our LYS Tour series, The Red Thread in Warrenton, VA!

You come upon the The Red Thread down a darling street banked by historic buildings in the old downtown of Warrenton. It is perched perfectly down the walk from a Great Harvest Bread Co. (the smells from which will render anyone suddenly starving and in need of some still warm from the oven treats) and across the street from a quilter's supply shop. Among the antique stores and little boutiques that one finds up and down the main street in the downtown it fits perfectly in it's little niche as both purveyor of the newest in yarn and books with a computer set up for quick searches on Ravelry and the old in the revered traditions of needle work.

I had the opportunity to stop in the other day and talk to Liz, one of their delightful employees and of course came out the shop with far more in my bag than I had planned on leaving with! Babs, who owns the shop with her husband and manages it with Karen, was kind enough to let me interview her and learn more about why they do what they do!

1. How did you get started?

We did a lot of research on the business of a Local Yarn Shop by visiting others in the area and attending a national trade show. The previous yarn shop had been closed for about a year, so we knew the niche was here in Warrenton. We looked at a couple of locations here in Old Town, finally choosing our spot because of the great lighting and the large windows. Also being across from Kelly Ann’s Quilting felt like a perfect fit. We signed a lease, started building shelving and ordering yarn, and here we are!

2. Why specifically yarn and knitting for your business?

Karen and I had been working together in a non-profit business for several years. We decided we were ready for a change, we both enjoy working with our hands, and knitting and crocheting in particular. We thought it would be fun to work with other like-minded people (mostly women!) doing something challenging, yet therapeutic.

3. What's your favorite thing about owning a yarn shop?

I love the gathering of women together to share our lives and our love of knitting. We have met so many wonderful women, who have become friends through the years. There are fewer and fewer places for women to just be together and share laughter and learning.

4. What surprised you?

How many, many types of yarn are available. A shop can offer only so many yarns for sale; there are a multitude of others available that we may never have here. The difference that a quality yarn makes in a finished product is remarkable and worth it. We felt fairly comfortable in our skills, but we have learned so much since opening the shop. There is always more to learn and it is fun to pass on the new skills to others and watch them stretch themselves with their new tools.

5. Any advice for folks considering opening up a yarn shop of their own?

Contact others in your area – make sure the area can support another shop. Get to know the other shop owners and work together to build the industry! We all try to help all of the stitchers through our cooperation.

6. Random factoid about yourself! 

I have a “yours, mine and ours” family. Two biologicals (32 and 30), three steps (33, 31 and 29), and ours (18 & 16). Only one at home now … very quiet!!