Credit: EWEnited Stitches/Facebook
Darn it! – A new small business is spinning great success in a cherished hobby in the heart of North Wales Borough.
Amid the bustling area of Little’s Ice Cream, Creative Edge Center for the Arts, Brelsford Insulation, and the North Penn Vol. Fire Co., lies a haven for crafters of all stripes.
Nestled in a cozy corner at 217 E. Montgomery Ave. with two parking lots, yarn store EWEnited Stitches (get it?) beckons with its promise of creativity and camaraderie.
However, there is something else to the business: It is neither just the carefully-curated selection of yarns and tools, nor the focus on affordability without compromising quality.
It is the ethos of inclusivity and collaboration that permeates every stitch.
EWEnited Stitches is a vibrant yarn store that is not just about fibers and needles — it is about weaving together a vibrant community of makers.
Lauren Searle, owner, fiber enthusiast, and teacher extraordinaire, is the beating heart and creative force of EWEnited Stitches.
“EWEnited Stitches … concentrates its services on bringing education and new fibers to crafters in the area,” Searle said. “My store focuses its inventory on women-owned and Pennsylvania-sourced vendors for yard, notions (tools), and gift options.”
With a passion for both crafting and community building, she's cultivated a space where seasoned crafters and newcomers alike can come together, learn, and create.
People knitting bonds, one stitch at a time.
“My intent is to encourage an inclusive environment where new crafters can work with veteran crafters like myself to recognize that they are part of a community in our own neighborhood,” Searle said. “Any crafter can find something that entices them to work up a hat, scarf, bag, sweater or socks.”
Diversity is key at Searle’s hobby shop. From fine wools to silky blends to budget-friendly acrylics, there is something for everyone on the shelves.
“Keeping fiber crafts affordable for new crafters was important for me when establishing the inventory selection. While being fiscally responsible you don’t have to miss out on great fiber options,” she said. “I keep my inventory varied in fiber type: fine wools and silk options as well as acrylic mixes and 100% acrylic options.”
If you cannot find exactly what you are looking for, Searle's special ordering service ensures that every crafter's needs are met, whether it is a specific color or a bulk quantity for that ambitious sweater project.
“Because I work with local and smaller vendors,” she said, “I have the ability to place special orders. If you are looking for sweater quantities of a yarn I don’t have enough of, or a color that I may not have in the store, I can typically get them within a week.”
But EWEnited Stitches is more than just a retail space — it is a hub of activity. With regular Fiber Group meetups and a calendar packed with classes, there is always something exciting happening there. Whether you are a novice knitter or a seasoned pro, you will find inspiration and instruction aplenty.
Fiber Group day meets are Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and evening meets are the fourth Monday of each month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Speaking of classes, EWEnited Stitches offers a range of workshops led by none other than Searle herself in knitting, crochet, and Tunisian crochet.
“Class schedules are being established for single session technical classes like chart reading and colorwork. Most of my classes run in two sessions, costing $90. Each class is 90 minutes and we work on a project to complete,” Searle said.
With her certification in knitting from the Craft Yarn Council and a knack for teaching, she guides her students through everything from basic stitches to intricate techniques. And with class sizes capped at six, you are guaranteed personalized attention and guidance every step of the way.
Supplies purchased for the class are discounted 10%, she said.
Come for the yarn, stay for the camaraderie, leave with belonging.
Join EWEnited Stitches’ email list and rewards program at www.EWEnitedstitches.com.
