My first love note is to the most OG of the fibre alumni - Kel. If you`ve been a customer since the day we opened our doors, you`ve likely met Kel many times. She was my first shop manager and the first employee of the business back in 2009. She was an enormous part of the creation of my business plan, my brand, and the shop`s evolution to a nationally known LYS. This post could be a multi-page dissertation on all the ways/stories/times Kel impacted this shop, but I`ll share just a small selection of the moments that stand out most to me.
In 2009 while doing the buildout for the shop, my brother died in an accident, and Kel built our fixtures and set up our systems while I was in Pittsburgh, burying him. I came back to a shop ready to open. She was the kind of employee who would happily pick out a fun bold paint color and then join you in painting the incredibly tiny disgusting old shop bathroom. Kel took "other duties as assigned" to a whole new level. She created so many incredible and creative displays, and is also the reason we no longer allow glitter inside the store...and why I know how to dissolve super glue from human skin.
After helping to launch Brooklyn Tweed yarn in our shop, Jared Flood recruited her to manage the wholesale arm of his new company, and Kel moved across the country to Portland, Oregon. But even from Portland, she continued to be my yarn and fibre expert, writing website content, contributing to our inventory choices, and generally just being there for me as someone with all of the historical memory of this business. Kel provided that soft landing I needed upon returning from Pittsburgh at one of the worst moments in my life. She was right by my side all those months, physically and emotionally building this community space. She may have moved far away but she never really left fibre space. Today Kel is still behind the scenes of much of the content you read in our newsletter or on our website, and I am grateful to still have her in my (our) orbit.
Ready for warmer weather? This yarn was a huge hit when it dropped last spring, and we are so excited to have new colors and new fresh inventory just in time for your spring stitching plans. Pascuali Arctic Pearl is made from eco-friendly SeaCell fibre, derived from a blend of Icelandic kelp and eucalyptus cellulose. It is machine washable, biodegradable, breathable, moisture-wicking, and hypoallergenic - perfect for warm weather wear. Swipe to see the summer stitching we`re dreaming about!
#pascualiarcticpearl #summerstitching #shopalxva #otboutiques
Y’all know and love our team of amazing yarnistas but have you met the fibre alumni? We wanted to share a few love notes to the former yarnistas who have stuck around behind the scenes & help keep our little fibre family running. Over the next few weeks we’ll be posting some love notes so you can learn about them and say hi if you ever see them in space! #lovenotesfromspace
You know we love a multipurpose tool, especially if it means always having what you need in your project bag. For #toolstuesday today, we are featuring the amazingly well designed Akerworks Knitting and Crocheting Tool Kit. This genius little notion caddy packs in a swatch gauge, mini scissors, tape measure, stitch markers, and 2 darning needles. The notions pockets are magnetized to keep everything in its place, and there’s a hole for a lanyard if you’d prefer to anchor it to your project bag. This kit is ideal for taking your projects on the go. Grab one in our shop or online capsule! #akerworks #knittingtools #crochettools #shopalxva
Join us next month for another amazing raffia workshop with our very own @olgajazzyknits!
Book your tickets at the link in our profile!
It’s #scholarlysunday and time to check in on the amazing titles in our book library. Reversible Crochet Sweaters by @crochethighway features wearables made with the interlocking crochet technique to create stunning, durable, double-sided fabric. Every design can be worn in two ways! Grab your copy in space.
#crochethighway #reversiblecrochetsweaters #interlockingcrochet #shopalxva
Monday – Wednesday, Friday – Saturday:
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday
10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Dec 29-30: 10am-7pm Dec 31 & Jan 1: 10am-4 pm
