One of the earlier Hot Loops Walls.

We’ve had a lovely influx of new readers the past few weeks, so if that’s you, welcome! 🤗

Some newer readers may not know that before starting Knit Stars, I had a local yarn store called Loops.

I started it in 2005, as a mom of 3 young kids. I had also loved knitting since I learned from a local yarn store owner at age 16, but had always felt isolated. I dreamed a beautiful, happy space where people could come to hang out, or find a great project fast.

The store was called “Loops” and one of the hallmarks was something we called the Hot Loops Wall, where we curated our favorite yarns and paired them with a perfect project, then photographed the finished pieces and put them all together in one big display I invented myself, and a carpenter friend brought to life.

The first yarn rep I met with told me the wall idea was great but would never last.

Two decades later, it was still going strong when I decided the time had come for us to go from selling the yarns, to telling the yarns full-time. Closing the yarn store was one of the toughest decisions – but ultimately, one of the best decisions – I have ever made. It’s enabled us to focus solely on what we do best – shining a light on brilliant makers in our space, and making their teachings more accessible to Yarnies worldwide.

So in celebration of Local Yarn Store Day (yesterday), I’d like to thank everyone here who has ever shopped at Loops or any other local yarn store. Your support really matters. It’s literally what keeps the doors open.

And a special shout-out to those of you reading this, who own local yarn stores and are probably working on a Sunday, because as an LYS owner you are probably almost always working and almost never sleeping.

I still believe some of the very best patterns originate from local yarn stores. So I’m gifting you one of my throwback favorites, the Lulu Cashmere Cowl. It’s a great way to use up any worsted weight odds and ends from your stash, plus you get to dive into your button box!

Enjoy and feel free to pass it on to your knitting friends. 🫶

xoxo,

Shelley

P.S. If you’re a paid Substack member, be sure to check out “These Little Yarns” this week for the rest of this post and an extra freebie, my “Vinyarnsa” pattern that’s made for fingering-weight stash.