Just Knitting: Fine Yarns, Company & More

Aug 22, 2011 by

Just Knitting: Fine Yarns, Company & More

One Sunday night, while looking for some new scarf patterns to knit during the coming winter season, I came across a thread on Ravelry.com that listed an announcement about a new yarn shop opening in Carleton Place.

For a yarnaholic like me, a new yarn shop falls somewhere between a Mecca and a candy store on the list of “places to visit”.

I go to fabric and wool shops to gorge on the different offerings, made out of silk, cashmere,

wool, cotton and other heavenly textures. But I also go to some of these shops to connect with other knitters and craftspeople that understand my constant need to create.

When I finally got to visit Just Knitting, the yarn shop in Carleton Place, I found just that: a place to peruse beautiful yarn, talk with some genuinely nice ladies, or just exist in a craft-friendly place – which is important for someone like me who spends a lot of time working in virtual spaces.

……

Several hours later, I came out of Just Knitting with a decent-sized stash of hand-painted yarn, a great pattern, and lots of helpful tips from the shop owner, Kelly.Set in what I assume a fairly central location in Carleton Place, the shop sits on the first floor of beautiful brick building, with plenty of natural light coming in through the windows. A large table occupies most of one room that has some spinning wheels and a pattern-filled bookshelf. It opens up onto another room with shelffuls of stunning yarn that even my sister – an individual so thoroughly disinterested in knitting – couldn’t keep away from oohing and ahhing over the variety offered.

….

I’m a tactile person, so going through the yarns, cubby by cubby, was inescapable – and a real treat. I was torn between the beautiful selection of skeins before me; camel hair, cashmere, mohair, wool, bamboo, silk, more silk and even then some more! The colours were as varied as an artist’s colour wheel, and the quality was very high. It feels as though Kelly had personally picked up, touched, and liked every.single.item. in her store. The prices are also great, especially considering the make, quality and typical yardage offered.

 

…
Whilst struggling with various shades of purple that are eventually going to turn into a vest for the winter season, the helpful group of knitters at Just Knitting offered their opinions on the selection, and some insider tricks to knitting: twisting, untwisting, purling this way and the other. They were generous with their time, and it seemed like they were very much a part of the shop.
…
Since my initial visited, I’ve been back three times! And I will make a point of stopping by, anytime I find myself on that side of the Highway (or whenever Kelly announces the arrival of new products on her Ravelry group, which you know I’m watching with hawk eyes).If you’re a knitter, this shop has to be on your “to-visit” list. You can’t pass up on this place, trust me. If you’re in luck, you’ll met some of the great ladies knitting at the shop. There is a “sit’n'knit” night on Mondays from 1 p.m. onwards.
…
If you have a knitter/spinner/felter on your gift list, get them a certificate from the store. There is more than enough selection to please even the pickiest of all knitters.
When you stop by, just make sure you say hi to Kelly, Laurie, Yvonne and Sara for me.
…
Happy shopping/knitting!

Shop Information: Just Knitting

Website: http://www.justknitting.ca [under construction -> best to visit the Facebook page right now]

Address: 6 Lake Avenue West, Carleton Place – right next door to Sinders [25 - 40 minutes away from Ottawa, depending on where you're coming from]

Hours: Monday to Friday :10 am to 5 pm. Saturday: 9 am to 4 pm. Closed on Sundays

Tel: 613-256-7638

P.S. I’m sure there are many more products that I left out in this post that are of interest to spinners, crocheters, felters and such. But to be fair, I’ve only really had the chance to explore products and items that I regularly work with.

Nelly is known mostly for writing about local businesses and occasionally breaking the site (much to Natasha’s dismay). By day, she’s a social media strategist and a photographer. By night, Nelly lives in her workshop, tinkering with textiles and fabrics, working on photographs, and lately knitting. This Jill-of-all-trades/mistress of a handful occasionally writes about her own experiences as a third culture kid, and when time permits, sleeps.

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3 Comments

  1. Michelle
    August 23, 2011

    Oh, goodness gracious. I didn’t need to know about this store. Sigh. It cannot be undone, so I see a mini road trip in my future – maybe once the kids go back to school.

  2. Eva | Little Cool Toys
    August 28, 2011

    Wow!! Looks like an amazing place. Unfortunately I’m to far away to visit (Quebec) but will look forward to the website. Wish I had a store like that nearby …

  3. nelly
    August 30, 2011

    Michelle > it’s about 20 minutes from my house near Pinecrest. not even a roadtrip, you just have to pass kanata and you’re set. plus the hours are good, they’re open on saturday too (which is when i do most of my drooling).

    hey Eva. Where do you live?
    You can see some of the stuff Kelly has in the shop at the upcoming Fiberfest in Almonte (many vendors, buttons, wool, etc… ) on Sept 11 and 12. Make the trip for Fibrefest and you’ll hit two birds w/ one stone :)

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