If you’re looking to add a personal touch to your holiday gifts this year, turn to Ewe and I in Chehalis.
Owned by Kathy Green and Meg Gregory, the spacious yarn shop serves as a community hub and classroom for crafters of all types—from old arts such as tatting, to trending arts like felting. Visitors are welcome to sit and work on projects, while enjoying the comforts of coffee and Black Sheep Creamery cheeses while they work with other crafters.
“We can find someone to teach pretty much anything that anybody can dream up related to fiber,” says Kathy.
If you’re interested in learning how to knit sweaters and scarves (among many other gifts) for your family members, then stop by Knit Nights on Mondays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. This is an excellent time to meet with other knitters and share tips, and to work on your gift projects away from home without spoiling the surprise. Check the calendar for class schedules, supplies and cost.
If you’re a skilled knitter and want to hone your craft even further, a Master Knitters support group is available on the second Monday of the month. Free help is also provided for crafters of all types on Saturday afternoons, making it an ideal time to fix a stitch, read a pattern or learn a new technique.
Speaking of new techniques, you don’t want to miss Kitchen Dyeing Magic on September 28, where instructors will lead the class through dyeing yarns and fibers with household ingredients, such as Kool-Aid and food dye. You will save money by utilizing the supplies in your cupboards, leaving a bigger budget for the holidays. All that’s needed is a ball of undyed yarn or roving.
If your holiday gift plans involve spinning and weaving, then get a head start by competing in Spinzilla. Brought to you by the Spinners and Weavers Group (SWG) and the National Needle Arts (TNNA), the October event encourages local spinners to form a group and compete alongside other teams to meet goals and win prizes. The event finale, scheduled for October 10 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., will feature awards for those who spin a mile (1,760 yards), and an award for the person who spun the most. Not only will you come away with enough yarn and prizes to work on new projects, but you will have gained experience to make your work even better. Registration for the event is open for the entire month of September and only costs $10.
If you’re feeling charitable this holiday season, join Ewe and I and its volunteers as they utilize their talents to help charities locally, nationally and internationally.
For their international project, knitters will create miniature sweaters, stockings and mitten ornaments to sell for the Mother Bear Project, helping to cover shipping for teddy bears to children in emerging countries affected by AIDS. Nationally, Ewe and I will be working with Knitted Knockers to create soft, knitted prosthetics for breast cancer survivors.
Locally, knitters will work on hats for Lewis County Homeless Connect to be used year-round.
“They’re making actual patterned hats—the kind you want your kids to wear,” says Nancie Willey, who works at Ewe and I.
If you simply need a quiet space to work in advance of the holiday hustle, then Ewe and I’s doors are open to you. The spacious layout of the store allows for multiple groups and classes to meet at once, from friends meeting for coffee, the local “knitters circle” giving advice and swapping local gossip, to quiet corners for crafters and artists to create.
Ewe and I offers more than just knitting, too. Master crafters of all different varieties can teach classes, given they are approved by Meg and Kathy and customers have expressed a desire to learn. With the holidays quickly approaching, it would be an opportune time for an expert to teach on looming stockings or creative ways to wrap a package.
Because of the new shop’s whirlwind business last year, Kathy and Meg are working full speed ahead for this year’s Black Friday event (named Black Sheep Friday, perhaps).
“We’re keeping our doors open. We’ll be here next year. And the year after that,” she says proudly.
Anyone is welcome to stop in, sample some cheese, learn a new craft, and make some lifelong friends.
Ewe and I
566 N Market Boulevard
Chehalis, WA
360-345-1506
Hours: Monday & Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Follow Ewe and I on Facebook or on Instagram at @eweandi.
