When winter’s blustery winds rattle our doors and whistle their way through drafty windows, many are drawn to hunkering down in the warmth of community, comfort, and cozy crafts. South County is home to a handful of yarn shops run by passionate and knowledgeable fiber artists eager to help people do just that – and they’re welcoming both new and seasoned crafters into their sewing circles.
The Rhode Island Weaving Center (RIWC) in Wakefield is a vibrant hub for handweaving and fiber artists established in 2020 with a mission to integrate weaving into the community, and though it’s young, the center has grown exponentially. Leslie Mahler, vice president of the RIWC board, attributes its growth to the idea that people are looking for a creative outlet that isn’t linked to electronics. “In a world where a lot of our lives are online, I think people enjoy creating tangible things,” she says. “Fiber arts allow you to take a break from that electronic world and do something that’s satisfying in a very different way. Weaving is a relaxing activity and after a stressful day, it’s nice to sit down, do a neutral thing, and after a period of time, be able to point to something you created.”
The RIWC was designed to make weaving accessible to a wider community. “Weaving requires a lot of equipment,” admits Mahler, “but the RIWC makes that equipment available to many people so they have the opportunity to try it and see if they like it.”
That philosophy certainly attracts beginner fiber artists, but Mahler says RIWC is a valuable resource for experienced artists, too. “A beginning weaver might find our center because they want to take a class, but an experienced weaver might be more interested in problem-solving or learning from other weavers,” she says. “We try to meet the needs of people wherever they are.”
The RIWC offers a variety of classes, including beginner and intermediate weaving and tapestry classes, as well as niche classes and workshops that teach yarn spinning, intricate designs and technique. For those curious about weaving, Mahler suggests they dive in. “Come talk to us if you’re curious,” she says. “People who are creators love talking about their art and sharing it. One of the fun things about being in a welcoming community like ours is being around other people who like to create. Sharing ideas, problem-solving, learning – it all happens at the weaving center.”
Lori Land, who opened Skein Yarn Shop in East Greenwich about three years ago, also identifies the “very vital community” fostered around the fiber arts at her shop. “There’s a big table in the middle of the store and there’s never a day when there isn’t at least one person sitting at it,” says Land, explaining that beautiful friendships are born at that table. “I know a group of ladies who have knitted together for 10 years. A lot of my customers say that a community like that is much cheaper than therapy. For me, it’s as important as the yarn.”
And the yarn is certainly important – Land enjoys watching people interact with it and dream about what it could become. “People are taken in when they come into the shop,” she says. “The colors elicit different reactions from people. They want to touch and feel the yarn, and make something with it.”
Land was taught to knit at a very young age by her grandmother and her aunt, who ran a yarn shop of her own. “I think a lot of people learn to knit from family members,” she says. “It’s a skill that’s passed down through generations.” But for those whose grandmothers eschewed the craft, Land offers a solution. Drop-in classes take place at Skein on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with no commitment required to join, and the classes are appropriate for knitters of all skill levels. Her popular sock knitting class also runs frequently. “People love to make their own socks in the winter!”
Lizzie Shriner, who owns The Mermaid’s Purl in Wickford, says that learning how to knit simply requires the right mix of inspiration and support. “I hear people say, ‘I can’t,’ a lot,” says Shriner. “Or they put themselves down for only being able to knit a scarf. But knitting a scarf is still knitting!”
Opened in 2009, The Mermaid’s Purl moved to a new location seven years ago that tripled its size and allowed Shriner to offer more classes and types of yarn. “I source hard-to-find yarns from all over the world,” she says. “Of course, we have great everyday yarns, but we also have hand-dyed fibers with cashmere or silk in them.”
“If you’re a knitter, you’re never bored,” Shriner says. “You can be productive no matter where you are.” But being among community is what keeps her knitting. “When I’m knitting in public, it’s an ice breaker and a way of bonding with others. Every knitted piece has a story. People know who made it or who they’re making it for. They know where the yarn came from.”
Shriner’s shop often becomes a spot for those types of conversations. Every morning the store is open, she hosts a Stitch Fix class, which she describes as social and fun – a place where friendships are made. For $10, knitters can join this class and create in a community with teachers on hand to answer questions. She also hosts project-based classes, such as how to knit a cowl or a pair of mittens.
“With knitting or any craft, intimidation can be a huge factor,” she says. “That can keep people from learning, growing, and expanding their skillset.” Instead, Shriner suggests people simply stop in. “These classes give people the confidence to try something they’ve never tried before.”
Stock up on supplies or take a class at South County fiber arts shops.
The Mermaid’s Purl
Wickford
TheMermaidsPurl.com
Needlepoint by the Bay
East Greenwich
NeedlepointByTheBay.com
The Rhode Island Weaving Center
Wakefield
RhodeIslandWeavingCenter.org
The-Sew-Op
North Kingstown
The-Sew-Op.com
Skein Yarn Shop
East Greenwich
SkeinYarnShop.com
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