All About Yarn in Coon Rapids is a new shop for the 2013 hop!

“All About Yarn” is in it’s eighth year of business and my name is Roxanne, the proud owner of our Coon Rapids-based shoppe. Most people call me Rox at the shop and when you visit and check us out as part of the 2013 Shop Hop, I think you’ll find an exceptionally friendly, warm and helpful environment. We have a beautiful fireplace setting in the center of the shop where classes are held nightly and fiber enthusiasts likeyourself can sit and enjoy. My staff and I love new knitters as it just seems like yesterday we were just beginning as well.

In the beginning there were four of us, who opened the shop, each of whom brought something different to the table and to our customers. But after six years together change was in the air and with the support of my family and friends I decided to keep “All About Yarn” going.

As a new owner one of my goals was to bring in new yarns to enhance our selection ofspecialty yarns and I think the shop’s selection of Madelinetosh and Malibrigo is second to none. Another highlight of the shop are the classes we offer, specifically our very unique “Pick your own Project” classes which take place each day (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) as well as Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. Each class is a mini social group in which many long term friendships have been developed. Whether you become a new member or have been coming for years, teaching help is provided on as many projects as you desire.

I am very excited to be part of the 2013 Minnesota Shop Hop in April for the first time and I look forward to meeting you! If you have never been to All About Yarn I know you will enjoy your visit. Each shop has something new and different to offer our and we are always changing by adding new yarns, patterns, accessories and samples!

It is definitely “ALL ABOUT YARN” up here in Coon Rapids. I welcome you and hope you become a shop regular!

Unwind

Unwind is a new addition to the yarn shop hop this year.  Welcome Unwind! Here is her story...

Like many of you, I was taught to knit by my Oma. I must have been about 7 years old when she came to visit from Germany one summer. At first my stitches were not very square. But in the morning my stitches sure looked much better. I’m sure there had to be a knitting elf working through the night.

My Oma and mom were also very good stitchers and needlepointers, so the needle arts were a way of life for me growing up. This lifestyle followed me all the way to college. I put off studying for more than one final in college by working on my stitching.

I was bitten by the knitting bug once again when my older daughter was in middle school. Remember those fuzzy scarves? “Mom, can you make these instead of buying them?” and out came my old knitting needles and away I went and went and went….

Knitting by myself or with a class were both such great ways for me to unwind. I often tell people I will never be a “type B” person. As a “type A” person, I am always working or thinking about the next thing that I should be doing. By knitting I can calm down to at least an “A-“ personality type.

A while back, some of my friends suggested to me that I should open a yarn shop. At the time I hadn’t even thought about. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do it. And as the saying goes “the rest is history.” With the support of my family and all the gals at the shop, we have created a wonderful place to play with yarn all day. My store is a place where people come to unwind while we help them to unwind their yarn.