‘Fiber arts is currently going through a renaissance period’

By Kaelyn Diep

Long before smartphones and streaming, comfort came in a ball of yarn and the hum of a shop radio playing old jazz. That’s how the first stitches were cast – by women with stories to tell and time to pass. Knitting and crocheting are hobbies that were a long time in the making and continue to be popular today. Following the global pandemic, more yarn supply shops and groups were created to get people to socialize again alongside the art of crafting. Whether it involves dying yarn, weaving yarn, or simply just stitching yarn together, there is a place and purpose for any fiber artist – beginner or pro. Here is a list of some of the top community groups and knitting shops in Colorado.

Community groups

Stitch and Sip - Denver

Have a liking for knitting and crave a drink after a long day? Denver’s knitting group Stitch and Sip has you covered as yarn work and coffee are brought together. By connecting the community of knitters and crocheters, this group is suited for anyone that is interested in working on their portable fiber projects while chatting over coffee or tea. With more than 400 members, Stitch and Sip meets every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. at Walschanke Ciders and Coffee on Jason Street in Denver. Yarn field trips also occur quarterly so members are able to restock on yarn and materials. Join in on the creative fun as all ages and skill levels are welcome for some downtime with the crafty community.

The Tangled Ball - Edgewater

The Tangled Ball is a top-of-the-line knit shop that hosts meetings every first and third Thursday of the month with Colorado Makers Night Out. Catering to makers of all kinds, the group encourages individuals to bring their craft of choice as well as enjoy some delicious food. Several may knit, but they don’t mind anyone joining to share the love of other types of crafting. Various classes and instructors are available for those just starting out. Support animals also appear in the shop as owner Marsha Corn hosts fun animal contests. “Last summer, we had our emotional support chicken contest and we had about 20 to 25 chickens,” Corn said. “People brought in all different sizes and they had names and stories and my customers would vote on their favorite chickens. This year, we’re doing a hot squirrel summer contest. I have two beaches set up; one is a ‘let loose your coconuts’ beach, which is our nude beach for the squirrels that have no clothes. Then, we have our ‘cover your nuts’ beach, which is the family-friendly beach for our clothed squirrels.”

Front Range Knitting Guild - Loveland

With a mission to “foster creativity, camaraderie, and skill development within our knitting community,” Front Range Knitting Guild in Loveland aids those wanting to become pro-knitters. Affiliated with The Knitting Guild Association, individuals are able to find different guilds around the world to meet up with. In this case, the non-profit holds its meetings on the second Saturday of every month at The Ranch in the morning. With that, they hold social knitting sessions before heading to the Wool Market in Estes Park, which was held in June this year. Ranging from beginners to masters, the guild has a spot for anyone who shares the same passion for fiber projects like knitting and crocheting.

Colorado Hook and Needle Society - Centennial

Meeting every first and third Sunday of the month in the Smoky Hill Library, Colorado Hook and Needle Society is a free group that specializes in textile arts in Centennial. Consisting of passionate creators, each meeting provides a teaching of how to do at least one stitch as well as one demo on how to learn new patterns and techniques. This allows the staff and members to help those who may be stuck on their project. According to group member Nikki Feuerstein, individuals enjoy having an accessible place to learn how to make something rather than going to the internet for help. “Fiber Arts is currently going through a renaissance period,” she said. “People are falling in love with making things with their hands again. As trends like granny square sweaters and amigurumi plushies become more and more popular, beginners often find themselves needing more hands-on learning than youtube and tutorials can offer. Having an in-person resource while learning a new craft can make a world of difference.”

Knitting stores

Piney Creek Yarn - Centennial

Specializing in yarn and fiber arts, Piney Creek Yarn in Centennial is the perfect place to stock up on all your knitting essentials. From hooks, buttons, fiber, accessories and more, the shop has something for all arts and crafts connoisseurs. This also includes classes that range in different categories with access to events, the Christmas Club and crochet-alongs. They also feature news and a gallery of photos showcasing the types of yarn and products sold at their establishment. A calendar of events is provided as well as online shopping for those who need a last-minute shipment of that certain color to finish their project. Charity knitting groups are also held so folks can donate to the community.

Yarn Shoppe - Denver

Hand-dyed, brown sheep wool, Malabrigo and Ella Rae yarn line the shelves of Yarn Shoppe Denver. Located on 16th and California streets, the shop also schedules appointments for instruction. Classes usually run for an hour or more and feature mostly crochet techniques. There’s even a class for those looking to start their own creative business. Beyond the amenities, the shop also has gift cards, books and kits to help beginners get a head start on their projects. Owner Cassandra Brown hopes to teach kids lifelong skills in fiber arts, knitting and crocheting. Her granddaughter serves as a model for the ability to learn at a young age. “When customers walk in and she is here and she shows them yarn that she just hand dyed, they are in shock!” she said. “I want to pass along that love of fiber arts to the inner city youth so they can become the next top designer, and pass it on to the next generation.”

Knitters Therapy - Wheat Ridge

Needing some supplies to stay crafty and revel in relaxation? Knitters Therapy in Wheat Ridge has you covered as the store specializes in one-of-a-kind yarns, wire jewelry, knitting classes, wildflower honey and even Reiki healing to soothe your energy after a long day. Living her life as a trapeze artist, shop owner Shawna Coyle initially started the yarn shop as she stumbled on knitting by accident. “I was always a crafty person, so if it wasn’t knitting, it was something else,” she said. “When the store was closed, I started jewelry making. So, I have a lot of hand-wrapped stones, copper jewelry and silver jewelry. And then I’m a Reiki master, so there’s also a Reiki studio in the store. I am trying to get a group together shortly where we do Reiki. Well, you would be knitting your projects and infusing Reiki.”

Blazing Star Ranch - Englewood

Home to a yarn store and alpaca ranch, Blazing Star Ranch in Englewood serves up different amenities when it comes to any type of craft. The shop is known for its specialization in hand-dyed yarn, custom patterns, animal crochet kits and fibers, as well as alpaca tours and puppy adoption. Additionally, they offer classes as well as private lessons that can help beginners learn the basics of dying, looming, fiber weaving and of course, knitting and crocheting. If you are not able to attend a class in person, they also have virtual and on-the-hour classes to help with those who are stuck.

Thirst Colorado intern Kaelyn Diep is a senior at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She is majoring in journalism and minoring in communication studies and plans to become a news editor. Besides working for The Metropolitan school newspaper as the social media editor, she enjoys playing video games, crocheting, reading, exploring the outdoors and hanging out with her friends and boyfriend. One of her favorite things to do with her partner is build LEGOs.