Fed up with driving hours to find the yarn she loves, Shelly Brauser took matters into her own hands and opened a knit shop. Located in Hudson’s First and Main, Miss Chickpea’s Funky Fibers offers hand-dyed and hand-spun yarns sold by the skein (the yarn is loosely coiled on a reel). Plus, you’ll find books, patterns, kits, tools and in-store classes that promise to put novices on the road to knitting like pros.
When did you first start knitting? It was about 2 1/2 to three years ago. I started during the scarf craze with everyone else.
What made you want to open your own shop? I started my purse line last year, and I started complaining to my husband that I couldn’t get the kinds of yarns I wanted. I would even drive down to Cincinnati or Columbus to find different yarn shops. One day I said to my husband jokingly, “This is really annoying. I wish I could open my own store.” And my husband goes, “Well, why don’t you?” I don’t think he thought I was serious.
What makes Funky Fibers different? There’s opportunity for creativity. There’s a lot more hand-spun and hand-dyed yarn. You’re not going to find any of that [at chain stores]. They carry things that they get in massive bulk. I don’t necessarily have that.
46 Park Lane, Hudson, (330) 342-9276, www.misschickpea.com
Sweet Threads
style makers
12:00 AM EST
August 28, 2007