fibre space is offering our space for furloughed civil servants to gather, connect and stitch or craft together during the 2025 government shutdown. Join us to pick up a new skill, or just come and hang out in our lounge space for some stash-busting time. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to teach, help with dropped stitches, and all your other needs.

Want to help? You can donate a Learn to Knit Kit for a furloughed federal worker.

Donating Yarn & Needles to Look Again Resale Shop

I’ve had lots of people asking about donating yarn and needles for our furloughed knitting classes. While we can’t accept donated supplies from your stash, we are partnering with Look Again Resale Shop at 900 King Street, who can! Donate your worsted-weight yarns and needles, and we’ll send our furloughed students there to snag great deals on discounted supplies while also supporting a local charity!

Our planned schedule:

11/6 Update: Schedule of Classes for next week

See more details on individual registration pages, or see all of our classes for furloughed workers on our calendar.

Free learn to knit classes:

fibre space will once again offer free learn to knit classes for all furloughed government employees and federal contractors during the shutdown. These classes will open for registration on Monday. We are aware of the current administration’s actions to end contracts and employment. Proof of recent employment will be accepted. Any currently furloughed or recently terminated federal workers are welcome for these classes. Pick up a new stress-relieving skill and find a new community at fibre space.

At this time, we would love for you to take your donations to our friends at ALIVE! Founded in 1969, ALIVE! is the oldest and largest nonprofit serving Alexandrians facing food insecurity and housing instability. Together, we’re neighbors helping neighbors, and building a more compassionate and connected Alexandria—where no one has to face crisis alone.

If you want to help:

• Donate to ALIVE! by clicking here.
• Find out about other ways to volunteer or get involved with ALIVE! here.
• We’ve had lots of people asking about donating yarn & needles for our furloughed knitting classes. While we can’t accept donated supplies from your stash, we are partnering with Look Again Resale Shop at 900 King St, who can! Donate your worsted-weight yarns and needles, and we’ll send our furloughed students there to snag great deals on discounted supplies while also supporting a local charity.

If you need help:

The Capital Area Food Bank’s annual Hunger Report, released last Thursday (pre-shutdown), found that 41% of households impacted by recent cuts to federal jobs and spending are experiencing food insecurity. That number is expected to increase due to the federal shutdown’s impacts. In Alexandria, if you need assistance with food, housing, or finances right now, please check out ALIVE!’s services and food hub locations here.

10/2 Update:

The fibre space community is truly amazing. Within a few hours, you all donated all the learn to knit kits for shutdown-affected workers we needed for upcoming classes! Thank you for showing up for your friends and neighbors.