“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.”
George F. Burns quotes (American comedian 1896-1996)
What kind of Yarn Shop takes up 8000 square feet of space? We were curious, so we traveled to Boulder, Colorado to find out.
Surrounded by the Rockies, “Shuttles Spindles and Skeins” is a real knitting experience, a meeting place for knitters and friends, with a 15-year history. Located in the Table Mesa Center, Boulder, Colorado, it is a beautiful location.
The first interesting aspect of the shop we found was the book section. There is a short bench that seats four and a neat little wooden table with notepads and pencils, making for a comfortable inviting atmosphere. That’s where I sat, gathering my thoughts, and began to weave this story. While I was writing, Sally perused the shop, looking for that perfect knick-knack or rather, I should say knit-knack.
“I wanted to come here to look for things that my yarn shop (Filati at Rocklin, California) doesn’t carry,” said Sally.
While sitting on the bench, I heard two knitters meeting again after a long separation as well as others getting advice from Judy Steinkoenig and staff. Each member of staff is a well-qualified knitter, with their own style and specialized skills in multiple areas.
We watched while a mother, daughter and grandmother looked for just the right knitted hat in both the pattern and book sections while others found the yarn and needles they needed.
Shuttles Spindles and Skeins offers many classes for knitters, with a complete classroom at the back of the shop, larger than some entire yarn shops that we have been to in the past. “Classes include various styles of knitting, crochet, tatting, basketry and felting, plus special classes by fiber teachers from around the country,” said Steinkoenig.
“Almost all of our employees teach classes and in the course of a regular day, a lot of extra teaching is done, showing a particular stitch or explaining a pattern. Our instructors take pride in what they do because when you enjoy what you do it doesn’t feel like work,” Steinkoenig said.
Shuttles Spindles and Skeins also includes sections for weaving, basketry, buttons, spinning as well as equipment. Although Sally doesn’t weave, she liked the weaving shuttles section, which has such interesting and beautiful colored shuttles, made in Boulder by the Schacht Spindle Company.
Most of one wall contained a large range of knitting needles, including many we don’t see in California. For weavers, one area contains beautiful looms of various sizes and another area has a range of spinning wheels.
The whole shop is presided over by Jack the yarn dog. Jack loves everyone and if not all the yarn and friendly smiles can make you happy, then Jack will.
Of course, Sally wanted to stay longer, but eventually, we had to leave because lunch was calling my name.
Sally found all the things she was looking for and while Louise Bradley, staff employee was helping us check out, we discovered that she had lived in Adelaide, South Australia at the same time that we lived there.
“I lived right near the old Penfold Winery on Magill Road, a few miles away from you,” said Bradley.
It goes to show you, it’s a small world!
We loved our visit to Boulder and we hope you will too.
For More Information:
Contact J Z Steinkoenig
Shuttles Spindles and Skeins
635 S. Broadway, Unit E
Boulder, Colorado 80305
