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knitch
‘knitch’ is a yarn shop owned by two extraordinary women, Mary Cunningham and Kathleen Abene. knitch is spelled just like that, with no capital ‘k’ in the front. knitch is also located in Delafield, Wisconsin, and opened in September of 2006.
It seems like the meeting of these two women, was meant to be. They actually met at the local yarn shop that they both worked at, that happened to be going out of business. The store was closing and the gals decided that they were clearly having too much fun, not to take a stab at the LYS business themselves. Mary and her husband thought a play on words might just be effective for the store name, so they combined knit, stitch and niche and came up with knitch. When the girls decided on the joint venture, they only had known each other for a few months; now, they feel like family. They knew the area would support a new yarn shop and the perfect building was available to lease. They had a friend work up a logo and they were on their way.
Kathleen learned to knit in college after resisting efforts from her Mother as a teenager. With a couple of sweaters under her belt, she began knitting seriously when she was pregnant with her first child, and it was brought forward again when her Mother was diagnosed with cancer. Kathleen’s Mother wanted to make a last knitted item for all twelve of her kids. She had just discovered felting and Kathleen and her younger sister helped their mother complete the felted slipper socks for everyone. She recalls it being a great time spent together laughing, reminiscing and knitting. When her Mother passed away the following spring, knitting became the lifeline to her Mother. The seed was truly planted then, that she would like owning her own shop.
Mary started knitting in grammar school. Knitting is a tradition that all the women in the family shared in, and Mary was no exception. “My first real project was a ski sweater I made in the 6th grade. I was ill and it was good therapy I guess. It had an intarsia yoke of red, white and blue. I still have it and wear it on occasion. The sweaters must have run large in the 1950’s. I remember getting so bored with the arms, that I begged my Mother to knit them. She warned me that our tension was not the same, but dang if I knew what that meant. To this day I look at that arm and see every stitch that my Mother made. A link to fond memories, and now I preach about tension”, says Mary.
Mary has the computer skills, small business experience and community contacts. Kathleen has the deeper understanding of fibers and the actual knitting expertise. The stores’ mission statement is: It is knitch’s mission to provide quality materials, superb support and intelligent instruction across generational lines in a tranquil, but joy filled environment. The shop has a back room that buzzes with instruction and you may often see open knitting gatherings at any given time. They have two large tables for classes and a cozy sofa and arm chair area for more relaxed gatherings. Their clientele runs the gamut from retired persons on a fixed income, to the more wealthy ladies, and children as well.
Knitch has a staff member who specializes in teaching knitting and crochet to young boys and girls and she is loved by all. Other than that, they consistently run “Beginning Knitting” and “Beyond Beginning” where you bring in your own project and work with others working on their own projects with an instructor present. The store starts their beginners on wash rags, and typically the beginning class moves up as a group onto the next level. The store also offers a variety of workshops and project oriented classes. Knitch has a staff of eight with over 350 years of knitting experience combined. The store also has a charity knitting group that meets weekly. Knitting for baby and the knitting of socks seems to be the store trend currently.
Delafield is located just about half way between Madison and Milwaukee, right off Highway 94. The town of Delafield is a small lake country town with a population of 8000; the town also plans to celebrate their 50th year as an incorporated community. History of the area dates back farther than the 50 years starting with the first settlers in 1839. Increase A. Lapham, the “Father of the U.S. Weather Bureau” made weather observations from what is now known as Lapham Peak.
Kathleen and Mary are very intrigued by the green and organic yarns that are now on the market. The issue of sustainability is one that the ladies are learning more about. Although they love the beautiful yarns that come from all over the world, the yarns made right here in the United States are very welcome and sought after at ‘knitch’.
Parting thoughts from Mary and Kathleen: crafts like knitting and crochet are like soul food in times of stress. The rhythm is calming and the satisfaction of a project well done can bring immeasurable joy. The blast of color in a yarn shop can turn winter doldrums into a smile and the touch of alpaca and cashmere can recall a baby’s softest skin. Let’s put sustainability to work in our local yarn shops by supporting them. Sign up for classes, pop in to see what’s new and say hello. See the yarn for yourself, touch its texture and see its true color. Go visit Kathleen and Mary and the rest of the staff at “Knitch” in Delafield, Wisconsin! |
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