WWW.SHAKER .LIFE | WINTER 2020 49
AROUND
THE TABLE
WAS CONCEIVED
NO T JUST
AS A SHOPPING
DESTIN ATION
FOR KNITTERS
AND CROCHETERS,
BUT ALSO AS
A PLACE TO FIN D
COMMUNI TY.
WHENEVER THE
SHOP IS OPEN,
SO IS THE TABLE.
“Once your kids are of a certain age and you don’t have the
mommy groups, or you’re working full time and you can’t
volunteer at the school, you kind of lose those community
connections with other adults,” says Pam, talking about the period in her
own past when knitting helped her find friendship.
At Around the Table it’s not just young moms (though there are
those). Customers span every age group and “every socioeconomic level,
every color, every race, every culture. That was a goal of ours,” says Pam.
The yarns in the shop are as varied as the customers, ranging from
machine-washable to hand-wash-only, cashmere to acrylic, and $2 to
$80. What you choose all depends on your price point and what you’re
making, whether it’s a baby sweater that might get spit up on or a
luxurious scarf that may become an heirloom.
Regardless of price, the focus is on quality and uniqueness. “We’re
definitely a specialty yarn store, because we carry more than just sort of
the big box types of yarns,” says Beth. “We carry hand-spun, hand-dyed,
kettle-dyed, locally produced, and locally dyed small batch yarns.”
Around the Table also creates and sells its own project kits. A
project might call for expensive yarn in several colors, but instead of the
customer having to purchase all those full skeins at great cost, the shop
breaks down skeins and creates a kit that provides the customer with the
right amount of each color at a more reasonable total cost.
For new customers, or those new to knitting and crocheting,
Pam and Beth recommend stopping in, looking around, and picking
up a schedule of events, which include movie nights, beginner
classes, and more. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram
(@aroundthetableyarns), or sign up for their email newsletter at
aroundthetableyarns.com. Any way you reach out, you’re sure to get a
warm welcome. SL
/aroundthetableyarns.com
/WWW.SHAKERlife.com