.
We are indeed a yarn store. We like to think we are a pretty great yarn store.
.
But we are more than just a yarn store. Not to get all mystic or anything, but I very much believe that our store is meant for more. More than just a place to buy yarn.
.
We are a gathering place, a place for reflection, thoughtfulness and comfort.
.
We are a place for people who have not yet found their place.
.
We love it that way.
.
We are a member of our community. We love being on Main Street in Stillwater. We love that people can walk down the hill and get knitting help or simply sit and knit. We really love it. We don’t just say it.
.
There is nothing that warms our heart more than seeing our lounge full of people. People meeting each other, exchanging stories, extending themselves. We really love it.
.
We love when people come in and get help. We help people anytime with any fiber problem. Well, I take that back…we TRY to help people anytime with any problem. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll do our best to find the answer. We are thrilled that people don’t just shove the problem in a bag and shove it in the closet. We are thrilled that they care enough to keep at it. Press on. We really do love it. We don’t just say it.
.
One example of this is a lovely older woman from Stillwater. She walks to us. She has been learning to knit hats. She is in the early stages of some sort of dementia. Damn dementia. She knows it, and apologizes often for it. She asks us to repeat ourselves and writes down instruction so she won’t forget. But she is knitting! Knitting! She is knitting hats to donate. She thinks it will be good for her brain, to learn something new. Smart cookie.
.
One day a few weeks back, she sat at our counter for a few hours, as I picked her hat back a few rows and got her back on track. She kept apologizing that the yarn wasn’t from our shop. I insisted it was ok. She didn’t want to splurge on “the good stuff” until she knew she could do it. Smart cookie. She continued to sit across from me as she knit row by row, carefully decreasing as her notes told her to. She finished!
.
She offered me money for my time and effort. I of course refused. Our store doesn’t take money for walk in help. But I’ve been here all morning she said. I told her it was a pleasure. I was telling the truth. It was a pleasure.
.
Her daughter came in today, I guess her mom had told her that she spent the morning in our store getting help. Her daughter was sweet and lovely and apologized if her mom had troubled us. She also said that her mom lived within walking distance and might be back. I said it was ok and that I hoped she would. I told her that her mom was charming, funny and was very honest with us about her dementia. I told her that we loved having her and we were looking forward to helping her again.
.
I took the daughter’s phone number, just in case we needed it and told her that should her mom come back, we would take good care of her. I was telling the truth. We will.
.
We are more than just a yarn store.
..
And that is why we love you. 🙂
Wonderful story. Thanks for being where you are and what you are! Happy New Year to all of you.
Thanks for sharing this…what an awesome story…a real life feel good story…not one someone made up to make us feel good..but a REAL honest to God good story from very real, honest to God good people…brought tears…loved it. Thanks for being the people I always knew you were!!!! 🙂
Awesome!
I always feel at home when I go to Darn Knit. I know I will get help and people will listen to me babble about what I love. You guys are the best!
DKA is the friendliest shop around. I have felt welcome since the first day I walked in. Have learned sooo much because of the non judgmental staff regarding your skill level and their willingness to help,. Sitting and knitting with others has lead to new friendships galore! Rock On Darn Knit Anyway, Rock On
You are so much more than a yarn store, YOU are the fabulous people inside! Thanks for the wonderful things you do that make your yarn store my, and I’m sure many others’, favorite hangout!
Lovely story. You are the beauty of small businesses and owner-operated shops.
Sweet story! Wish I could visit your shop (I’m 3 hrs. away). I think when I retire I will make the rounds of as many yarn and fiber shops as I can find. 🙂
This story is why I live coming to your shop. Happy New Year to you all.
How true! You embody what all small businesses should be and that is why I truly enjoy you and your store. Thanks for all the patience, help and laughs as I continue my knitting journey.
You are way more than a yarn shop! You’re a great place to meet fun, interesting people and have a relaxing time away from the worries of the world 🙂 I’m so happy to have found the shop, it’s made a huge impact on my life. Hugs!
Thank you for sharing this! I am in Ohio — wish I could visit because I know I would feel right at home!
Lovely story! Wish I weren’t so far away!
Wonderful post! Your shop IS more the a yarn shop. It’s a place that I LOVE to come and hang out in. It’s a breath of fresh air and all the people are so fun and helpful. Thank you for being there!
You are just what we need in the world today. Thanks for being YOU!
On a cold wet day I walked in found creativity, warmth & friendly people. An hour or so lasted I floated out full of warmth & wrapped in creativity and new friends. Thank you for being the catalyst that brought me, my heart and my imagination back to life. I read somewhere of someone who said that stitch by stitch she knit herself back together. That is what is happening at DKY. Thank you for that!!!
So true and so glad to be part of your community! Thanks for being there.
Tears in my eyes….I miss you, too, Aimers….I really mean it. I really do! :>) MS
That made me cry! How wonderful you are!
I have recently discovered your shop and LOVE it. I went there to find some yarn for a project and Jennifer looked it up on Ravelry and spent lots of time helping me pick out the perfect yarn for my crochet project. I was very impressed and enjoyed my time at the shop. I will be back for a class! Thank you.
Thank you for your kindness to all who are lucky enough to walk in the front door (me included!!) 😉
What a great, warm story! You just helped me and my “cobweb in the round” issue this week – even though hours are ahead to complete my project, I will be left with a product I love thanks to Jennifer and her offer to help! Thank you!
I wish I lived close enough to visit your wonderful store. I live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in California. I read about you and your store on facebook through Kim Oglesby. You have a terrific group of people that work/knit in your store. Love the story about the elderly lady with dementia. So heartwarming……
Thank you for a great story…I come annually to Stillwater for the holidays from the east coast and no visit is complete without visiting your store at least once (usually more!) for a new idea and some yarn. I always look forward to my Stillwater winter recharge! Thanks.
Thank you for sharing this precious story. It brought me back to when my own mom was going through the difficulties of dementia. Thanks for being so kind to ALL who walk through your doors. Looking forward to my class with you in February. God bless you all.
I so wish there was a yarn shop like you in Duluth. When my mom was first diagnosed with Alzheimers, she was knitting a sweater for my son and got confused since part of the pattern instructions were missing and there was no picture included for her to see to visually figure it out. I did not know how to knit yet, so I was absolutely no help. She stopped knitting after that. I tried to get her to knit something easy, but she said she was done. You guys are definitely more than just a yarn shop, and we are so lucky to have you in our community. Thank you for all the help you have given me and so many others over the last few years. 🙂
Thank you for being more than a yarn store! We need more people in business like you! What a gift you’ve given this woman and her family. God bless you!
I knew this venture was perfect for you, your creative talent, and your compassionate heart!! Congratulations on making Darn Knit what it is and doing what you love.
I love you Aimee, I really do!