Shop Local: Around The Table Yarns Build Community Through Knitting
The Shaker Heights store encourages customers gather around its table to work on projects together.
“We’re the local knit shop, but we’re like the local bar for people who don’t drink. It’s that kind of feeling,” laughs Berkson. “It’s a safe place to learn and to share an idea.” Berkson and Billings work to weave new people into their tightknit circle by helping guests on a variety of projects for free. With a rainbow array of different kinds of yarn, such as alpaca wool, bamboo and yak blends, they do their best to support local makers and dyers and accommodate customers from a crossroads of different communities.
“There’s been a lot of times when people have walked in and they’re also welcomed by the fact that there’s somebody like them in the store,” says Billings. “Our welcome is wholehearted and genuine for everybody.”
An Item We Love: Destination yarn shops are an up-and-coming trend, and Around the Table Yarns leads the pack by offering a variety of locally made and dyed yarn such as Tina’s Twisted Fibers’ colorfully spun mohair skeins ($28).
20085 Chagrin Blvd., Shaker Heights, 216-230-9224, aroundthetableyarns.com
Click here to explore more than 30 local shops and boutiques as part of this month’s “Shop Local” package.
