Our beloved manager Alex has been a light in so many of our lives and a considerable part of the fibre space community. Some of you may know that she has battled metastatic breast cancer for over a decade. She is now entering a new chapter in hospice care at home, and we want to surround her with the love she’s given to all of our community. We invite you to share a memory, a story, or a message about how she’s impacted you and your stitches. These tributes will be shared with Alex and her family and serve as a lasting legacy of her incredible spirit.
To support her and honor her wishes, we also encourage you to donate to the Smith Center for Healing & the Arts in DC. Alex actually first started teaching knitting while volunteering there with our partners at Project Knitwell! Their young adult support group connected her with some amazing friends who helped her through the roughest parts of treatment. Your donation will help them provide this same support to others battling illnesses.
Out of respect for our team and Alex’s privacy, we kindly ask that you celebrate with us through these digital spaces. Your messages will mean the world. Keep in mind that our team here at the shop is walking through a tender time. We appreciate your patience and kindness as we support each other and honor someone very dear to us.
The fibre alumni have set up this GoFundMe with Alex and her mother’s permission to help provide the best possible support for her right now. We understand not everyone is in a place to give financially. Still, if you are able to donate to this GoFundMe, it will have a direct, meaningful impact on helping Alex continue and improve her hospice care.
Donate or share this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/assist-alexs-journey-with-your-kindness
#LoveForAlex
20 Responses
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As a new knitter, Alex never made me feel inept, always made me comfortable and I just felt better seeing her there, even helping others. Thank you Alex for your spirit of patience, kindness and cheer! ,
I left My home,profession and knit buddies after 45 years in CT. I came to Fibrespace looking for a place that might fill that hole. Alex remarkably filled that void with her kindness, patience and encouragement. The independent workshops became the highlight of my week. I always knew she would find a creative way to fix my mistakes.She has taken a simple craft and made it into a lesson for life. “Let’s see what we can do” “Oh we can fix that” or my favorite “ I have done that before”. Beautiful Alex. Thank you for placing your mark in my life.
Where do we start? From my very first visit to Fibre Space when I signed up up for my first class and Barry told me “Welcome to your new addiction!” I knew I was in good hands. You have a wonderful team, but Alex is exceptional. There isn’t a dropped stitch she can’t find or a knotty mess she can’t untangle. You’ve probably heard “magical” as a descriptor for Alex. Along with kind, patient, warm, welcoming…
I always look forward to my classes there, but the Sunday evening independent study with Alex has been something special. Alex, thanks so much for being willing to share your expertise and Fibre Space thanks for assembling a team—and creating a community—that makes a visit to the shop more like a visit with friends. Love to you all at this time, and always.
Your work always brings a smile to my face. Much love and respect!
Every. Single. Time I’ve walked into your store, Alex has greeted me with a warm smile and has made me feel so welcome and comfortable. She taught my “fixing mistakes in your knitting” class that completely changed my relationship with knitting. I used to feel so weary before starting a project and frustrated during the process, but now I fly through projects and have even become a process knitter. Alex shared so much knowledge and kindness during this class and I often reference everything Alex shared as an instrumental point in my “knitting journey” and something new knitters should consider.
Alex is so beautiful inside and out and she is always the highlight of visiting Fibre Space.
Thank you for all you have given me. I didn’t know what to expect from a class of experienced knitters, but my hesitation was gone immediately when I joined your first class. There you were, welcoming, caring, and so talented. I learned everything from you and now have beautiful sweaters that I love and a passion to continue. You created a classroom that is a haven filled with friends, laughter, kindness, and support. This was the gift you gave to all of us, and we will carry it with us always.
Thinking of you tonight as I choose size 10. 5 rather than 10.75 needles for the cuffs. Your words of wisdom and seemless advise carries me forward. You are a part of my every project Thank you
The most amazing “Knit Angel” who will shadow every single future knit project I approach. Your lovely contagious smile and encouraging words are effervescent as you work us through our knit snafoos and so much more. Thank you for wearing your gorgeous knitted garments to class as your elegant style has shown me the beauty of “cool” colors you love so much. And now my knitted projects have taken a turn all because of you. My mantra will remain “What would Alex do”. Thank you for making Fiber Space your happy place. Blessings and comfort as you knit through your stash.
I did not take a class with Alex or know her personally. I am a distant fan who looked forward to seeing her happy posts. She brought a smile each time she modeled a variety of beautiful knits. Her enthusiasm was inspiring. I will send a donation to the Smith Center and send admiration and appreciation to Alex.
Alex, your consistently welcoming spirit put me at ease and helped me relax on even the toughest days. Your hospitality, encouragement, and radiant positivity are with me still. Thank you for these lasting gifts to me and others.
I will definitely miss seeing Alex around at Fibrespace. I loved the comment above describing Alex as a Knitting Angel, that’s how many will definitely remember her as.
Alex is a wonderful, patient, and skilled teacher. I greatly enjoyed learning to knit my first sweater with her. She’s touched so many lives and I wish her and her family peace and solace.
Oh Alex, I am so sad to hear this. You are such a lovely person and I enjoyed every minute I spent with you in classes. Sending you love and prayers in this difficult stage.
I have not worked with Alex face-to-face or been in one of her classes although I wish I had. Instead, I engage with her on Instagram as she models all those beautiful knitwear samples. Alex breezes into the room modeling each sample sweater or shawl with a huge smile, inviting us to try a new pattern or feel some new squishy yarn. We will miss seeing her on Instagram; she shined a light on the craft there.
Alex was one of the first people to help me understand crocheting, how to properly love yarn, and helped me troubleshoot my first projects – especially two baby blankets made for my nephew and my daughter. Her bright light will certainly be missing <3
I took two classes with Alex and she is the kindest and most patient instructor I ever had. As an example in the “fixing mistakes” class, I could not even drop a stitch correctly in order to fix it. We laughed at me choking under pressure and I learned lots that night. Also her new products and samples videos are always so fun and cheeky.
I wish Alex and her family much peace and comfort. They will be in my thoughts with every dropped stitch and TINK.
Thursday 11-1 class, I have not been in a while, and I’m heartsick to hear of your illness. You encouraged me when I thought my project was doomed. You are always patient and have a solution for the most messed-up knitting from a beginner. I continue to be bewildered by “sweater math.” Thank you for your kindness and for sharing your love of the craft. You are forever in my knitting heart.
Whenever I would come into the shop, Alex always greeted me with a big smile and I was so excited when she even knew my name! I remember the ‘Sparkle New years day cast on’ event Alex commenting on something how me and my friend were quietly working and super concentrating while at the back table Alex was talking and laughing with some other crafters. She always knows how to be personable and chatting it up with everyone! I miss seeing her friendly helpful face in the store, and I intend to contribute to the charity in DC that she first helped out with in her younger years. Love you Alex!!!
Alex taught me to knit, which is relaxation, comradery, accomplishment, and warm hats, shawls and sweaters on a cold day. I can never thank you enough for your help and encouragement, and I think of you every time I wear my German-short-row shawl.