If you’ve ever wanted to knit a scarf, crochet a blanket or complete a needlepoint to hang on your wall, the L.A. County Yarn Crawl is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
During the four-day event, taking place from Thursday, April 6 through Sunday, April 9, Westchester’s Needlepoints West will be one of 20 stores throughout L.A. County that is opening its doors for newbies, novices and experts for a day filled with yarn, crafting, giveaways and more.
“It’s a fab event,” said owner Joanne Bronson. “You really see stores at their very best. It’s a party atmosphere and a great time to think about taking up a new hobby.”
The shop, which opened in 1972, has thousands of bundles of yarn and thread lining its walls, making it a stitcher’s (or a “fiber-ista’s”) dream. Bronson, who has owned the store for the last fifteen years, says she prides herself in having an abundance of supplies to choose from in a variety of price points. The yarns are made from anything from cotton, wool, corn, silk, alpaca, milk and cashmere. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday and almost always has a group of students or yarn enthusiasts practicing their craft at the front of the store.
Bronson is encouraging the community to visit her location during the L.A. Yarn Crawl weekend to try something new in a fun, festive environment.
She says the goal of the event is to get people excited about all the different craft and art opportunities associated with yarn, meet fellow enthusiasts, and perhaps, learn a new skill.
“People want to start knitting for a wide variety of reasons, whether they want to make a gift for someone special in their lives, they want to get involved in charities that revolve around knitting or maybe they are retired, and they want to be part of a community,” said Bronson. “It’s also great for people wanting to de-stress, because working with your hands is very relaxing; there is definitely a Zen to it.”
At Needlepoints West, which has selected a Mardi Gras theme for this year’s crawl, each day will feature a trunk show and meet and greet with Alexandra of Alexandra’s Crafts Yarns and Fibers, a free gift with purchase of $50 or more for the first ten shoppers each day, daily prizes and a free knitting and crocheting pattern to take home or try in store. On Saturday, guests can also view electric spinning, drop spindle and needle felting demos.
Bronson said she is ready for the influx of guests to the store during the event, which is expected to have more than 2,000 participants.
“We can’t wait to meet everyone,” said Bronson. “This is going to be an exciting event with lots of activities, so stop on by for a weekend of fun, fiber and friends.”
For more information on the L.A. County Yarn Crawl and to print a crawl passport with a list of participating locations, please visit layarncrawl.com.
Needlepoints West is located in the Westchester Triangle at 6227 W. 87th St. in Westchester.
Posted April 2017.
