Our Story: A Mother, a Daughter, and More Than 25 Years of Yarn

Every skein in our shop passes through the hands of a knitter who has been at it for more than fifty years. That's where The Knit Shop's story really begins — not with a website, but with Jean.

In Jean's words

I moved to Eugene because I absolutely loved the natural environment and the laid-back culture. After thirty years in the medical field, I decided to do what I love: knit. Shortly after moving, I opened The Knit Shop with my life savings.

I curated only natural fibers because I believe people deserve quality materials for the projects they pour their hearts into. I also made a space in the shop for community — a place where anyone could come sit, knit, chat, or ask questions. I enjoyed that part very much.

After many years, I closed the shop to retire. But I couldn't let my love of knitting go. So I opened my online shop, where I can still spend my days with my craft and my people.

The shop today

A lot has changed since that first storefront in Eugene. The Knit Shop is online now, shipping natural-fiber yarn, needles, patterns and tools to knitters and crocheters all over the country — but the part that matters most is exactly the same.

Jean is still the heart of it: the knitter, the expert, the one who decides whether a yarn is good enough to carry. Every fiber in the shop is still chosen the way it was in 2000 — handpicked by a master knitter who actually knits with it. Her daughter handles the other side of things — the website, the orders, the photos — so that Jean's eye for good yarn can reach far beyond Eugene.

That community Jean built in her shop hasn't gone anywhere either. If you're ever unsure which fiber to choose or which weight a pattern needs, just ask. There's still a master knitter on the other end who's happy to help.

Thank you for being part of more than twenty-five years of knitting with us. We can't wait to see what you make.

Browse our natural-fiber yarn collection, or say hello any time — we love talking yarn. Free shipping on orders over $50.