A close-knit community
Knitting renaissance comes to Durango

A knitter starts on a new project at Yarn, a downtown knitting supply store. Once the realm of little old ladies, knitting is experiencing a hip rebirth, being enjoyed by people of all ages – and genders /Photo by Jared Boyd

by Renee Johns

Knitting, for quite some time, has been synonymous with little old ladies sitting in their rockers, lovingly piecing together this year’s Christmas presents for the brood of grandchildren.

But, the knitting landscape has changed significantly in the past several years, shedding its stigma of a hobby practiced only by those who qualify for the “Early Bird Special” to encompass a wide variety of individuals, as varied and colorful as the yarns themselves. It has re-emerged into the mainstream, becoming a hobby not only for young and old, but for women and men alike.

One of the people making this transition an easy and relatively painless one is Kara Walecki, owner of Yarn, a knitting supply store in downtown Durango. Walecki herself is a picture perfect example of the changes taking place. Wearing a pair of turquoise boots complete with a matching necklace and a knit shawl draped casually across her shoulders, she showcases the colors of autumn. The trim and attractive mother of one sits calmly and laughs as she speaks of her adventures in knitting. She is the first to admit that opening this type of business

was not at the forefront of her “things to do” list, but after some gentle prodding by friends and family, she decided to give it a go… and go it did. Yarn celebrated its one-year anniversary in August and shows no sign of slowing.

“I decided to go on an entrepreneurial adventure and open a different kind of yarn store” Walecki said. “I wanted to reintroduce knitting in a hip way and have it be something that would cater to everyone.”

Walecki succeeded on her mission and “hip” is exactly the word that comes to mind when walking through the doors. The shop is a veritable cornucopia of color and seeks to provide a warm and inviting atmosphere. Books with titles like Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts adorn the counter. A customer also has the option of treating themselves to a warm cup of tea at the tea bar, an addition that has added to the shop’s uniqueness.

Walecki makes every attempt to remain up to date with what is fashionable so that her customers have every resource available to them. “The fashion industry these days is really pushing yarn, and is very centered around heavy knit sweaters, chunky hats and scarves. The colors may change from year to year, but that is why I stay on top of it and cater my ordering to reflect those changes. The fashion starts with the fibers.”

Walecki even “caters” her ordering to make sure she has yarns and patterns specifically for the men folk. “For the guys, I tend to go with more earthy tones and easier patterns. I think it’s great that knitting is taking off with the men, and I certainly don’t want to scare them off with intricate and complicated patterns.”

Stefanie Goldenberg and Barbra Walton shop for knitting supplies recently at Yarn. The store’s owner, Kara Walecki, says she also caters to male knitters with fibers and patterns specifically for the menfolk. /Photo by Jared Boyd

If that statement sounds as if Walecki is taking some sort of jab at the brawnier knitters, that is just not so. She goes out of her way to accommodate them specifically and has added a seminar called “Beer and Beanies,” which teaches the guys how to knit their own hats while indulging in a little male bonding over some “brewskies.” The only complaint… “I had some of the men becoming frustrated because their hands were too busy knitting to drink their beer,” Walecki smiles.

Another complaint Walecki has heard from the men is not being sure when is the appropriate time to take out their knitting and finish a few stitches. While they have become completely confident walking in the front door, there is still some hesitation on their part to say, pull it out on a park bench.

“I have been noticing a lot of couples coming in so that the guy can pick out the yarn he would like to have his hat made from. I tease the girls and tell them to have him make his own hat.”

One of the books her male patrons may be interested in perusing that was recently added to the mix, Knitting With Balls, just in case there was any doubt Walecki may be lacking in the sense of humor department.

Knitting is also hitting a chord with youngsters. According to Walecki, interest begins to develop around age 8. “I’ve noticed age 11 seems to be when the interest is highest. I have also noticed that even though there are still some perfectionists, the kids tend to be very forgiving when they make a mistake and are just happy to have created something.”

Amidst the already growing list of classes, Walecki has added an afternoon Christmas Camp for the kids as a way for them to both learn something and start getting into the spirit of giving. Walecki’s own son, Alec, is known to stop by with friends after school to just hang out at the tea bar.

If there is one aspect about her shop that may deter the older and more experienced knitting veteran, it may just be the cost of some of the yarn that she sells in an attempt to keep her supplies up-to-date and fashion forward.

“There are some economic downsides regarding today’s materials. With the variety and just the improved quality of some yarns: hand died, special fibers, mixed materials, it can tend to drive the cost up a little from what some people may have been used to seeing.”

All in all, Walecki is pleased with the changing times and the changing faces of those who venture forth into her shop. It is a reflection of just how much knitting and creative endeavors similar to it, are really catching on with everyone.

“College men, who mostly are into crocheting, are not afraid any longer to just walk right in. They really are interested,” Walecki laughs. “I have one gentleman who has been coming in for several weeks now and sits drinking tea and usually leaves immediately afterward. I have noticed though, that lately he is starting to look around and check out the yarn.”

Perhaps some budding interest in knitting and Kara Walecki is just the woman to tend to it. So knitters unite! Hold your chin and knitting needles high regardless of age, sex or experience. Proudly proclaim to your relatives that this year, they will be receiving scarves as gifts … not made in China, but produced by yours truly! And before you know it, you, too, could find yourself walking downtown, looking at hats and other garments and thinking to yourself, “Hey, I could make that.” •