By Robin Widmar
On a bright, sunny morning, multiple cars lined the long driveway of Edie Fisher’s home. In her Woolly Works Knit Shop on the lower level, women gathered around a long table to chat, enjoy Edie’s renowned made-from-scratch cake and, of course, knit.
Topics of conversation ranged from gardening to hiking to alpacas. Edie said she has three rules for these informal groups: “No politics, no gossip and the drama stays with the llama!” She pointed to a small stuffed animal on a shelf overlooking the table. “That’s the drama llama.”
The current iteration of Woolly Works is a cozy, colorful home-based shop that sells yarn and supplies, hosts classes and inspires people of all ages to take up a new hobby or complete UFPs (unfinished projects). Edie learned knitting, crocheting, sewing and needlework from her grandmother, and they became lifelong pursuits.
She started teaching knitting and crocheting in 1999 and opened her retail store in 2001. For a time, Edie operated out of a downtown storefront, where she first met some of her longtime customers. A combination of factors, including a steep rent increase and the grind of a long daily commute, prompted her to close the shop in the city just as the pandemic hit. She reopened her business in the renovated basement of her home.
Despite the word “knit” in the shop’s name, Woolly Works carries supplies for all kinds of fiber crafts, including crochet, spinning, weaving, felting, tatting and needlework. Most of the space is dedicated to yarn. A lot of yarn. Some shelves look like vivid rainbows, while others hold more muted, earth-toned skeins. The yarns are made in different weights and from a diverse assortment of natural fibers such as wool, alpaca and silk, along with more exotic fiber blends that include mohair, cashmere, angora and even yak. Edie explained that the yak fleece comes from the animal’s undercoat and produces a yarn that is soft to the touch. She is in her element as she describes the different offerings in her store, how they are made and how particular techniques are used in specific projects.
Bags of unspun fleece, ready for those who want to spin their own yarn, occupy one corner of the shop. Dyes, accessories, patterns and other goods round out the inventory, with an entire room dedicated to hardware such as standard and ergonomic crochet hooks and knitting needles, notions, fasteners and specialty tools.
For those who knit and crochet, Woolly Works fills a gap in the current supply landscape. Large yarn retailers have closed in recent years, and chain craft stores have limited selections of yarn, with few or no natural fiber options. The shop provides a variety of quality products that are available both on-site and online.
The women at the knit-along expressed concerns that younger generations are less likely to pick up the craft. However, they also observed that the pandemic lockdowns prompted many people to take up new hobbies or return to unfinished projects.
Fiber arts in general continue to gain popularity. According to the 2026 Michaels Creativity Trend Report, online searches related to activities such as embroidery, knitting and crochet rose 136% in just six months. Statistics vary by source and methodology, but the Craft Yarn Council estimates that more than 38 million Americans knit. While about 71% of knitters and crocheters are women, anyone can take up the crafts. Olympic champion diver Tom Daley gained attention during the 2020 Tokyo Games when he was spotted poolside with yarn and knitting needles in hand.
These days, people of all ages are looking to break away from the digital world, push back against mass production and support sustainability. Recent scientific studies also show that arts and crafts can have a positive effect on mental health. The repetitive motions of knitting and crocheting can be calming, meditative and therapeutic.
Edie said the knit-alongs, which typically happen on Friday and Saturday mornings, give people a chance to briefly get away from their daily lives. Attendees work on their own items, but occasionally she will challenge them with a group project. One knitter said, “It’s my favorite time of the week.” Another exclaimed, “We get a lot of projects done here!”
What started as Edie’s lifelong interest grew into a business enterprise, which evolved into a gathering place where like-minded people can discuss their love of all things fiber.
To learn more about Woolly Works Knit Shop or see the workshop and class schedule, visit woollyworksknitshop.com.
Just some of the yarn at Woolly Works.
One of Edie’s alpacas.
Edie’s wedding dress, which she made and adorned with cross-stitched floral designs.
