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Local Yarn Stores | Part 1
One of my favorite things to do as a knitter/crafter is to search for and visit local yarn stores (LYS). Sometimes these stores are tough to find, mostly because they are becoming rarer. (The woes of small business owners is a topic for another venue on another day.)
Love discovered in West Des Moines
Saturday, my DH (Dear Hubby, for those who don’t remember) braved a local snowstorm to drive me 80 miles for my ‘yarn store fix.’ I found a delightful little yarn store in West Des Moines, Iowa. Actually, the area where the store is located is called Historic Valley Junction, but that’s technically located in West Des Moines.
The Yarn Junction Co., located at 132 5th Street in West Des Moines, is the brainchild of Beth and Kate. They are the heart and soul of The Yarn Junction. Beth does the buying and Kate does the finances. I talked to Beth during my visit. Beth greeted me with a cheerful “Welcome to Yarn Junction!” when I walked in the door. I asked her to wind some yarn from hanks I had bought online into balls. She seemed delighted to help me, even though I hadn’t bought the yarn from her store. We enjoyed a lovely conversation about yarns, needles, yarn swifts, and ball winders, and other items displayed in this fun store. They have a delightful website. (www.yarnjunction.com).
I loved this store! I ran my fingers through yarn manufactured from virtually every material known to man. It was awesome! I saw every weight of yarn from lace weight to super bulky yarn as thick as your thumb! They also had my favorite knitting needles (Addi Turbos)
Knitters always share
The ladies set up a table in the middle of the store where I met three ladies who were knitting and chatting like old friends. To their credit, they graciously welcomed me into the conversations a couple of times, as knitters tend to do. Several knitted samples lined the walls above the yarn displays and the tops of the cabinets used to display yarn. Beth was wearing a beautiful poncho she had knitted, a Cat Bordhi design. One of the ladies at the table wore an amazing ‘sampler’-type coat she knitted. One lady shared with me a pattern that she wanted to work up and was uncertain what yarn to use. She had a Christmas stocking on needles, almost completed.
A Patient Spouse Helps
My DH took himself to the rear of the store, where a cushy sofa, some chairs, and some tables were positioned for those who waited. He’s such a patient fella. He didn’t even rush me through the store!
Beth also explained that they carry many Fair Trade items in the store—yarn and other items. (See my blog that mentions Fair Trade practices and how important they are.) She incorporates local artisans, as well, mentioning that the sock yarn I purchased was a local product, dyed eastern Iowa.
Support Small Business Saturday
Next weekend is Small Business Saturday. I encourage anyone in the Des Moines or outlying areas to visit Yarn Junction in West Des Moines, either on this special day or any other time you can. If you live somewhere else, look for an LYS in your area and visit them. Keep in mind that anything you purchase from one of these locally-owned shops helps to support your friends and neighbors. Prices are certainly higher than your local big-box store, but the selection of yarns and the help you can get and friends you can make are worth every cent you’ll spend.
Happy knitting!
Anita