Here we go with another round of the Salem Business Spotlight!! This time I am happy to bring you info and pictures of Circle of Stitches. The store is full of bright colors and lovely window light, so shooting there was a breeze. If you’re interested in any sort of yarn arts (or are curious about giving it a try) definitely stop in. In addition to craft supplies, there are also tons of little gifts and charming items to be found. Check out the interview with Ana and see what her shop looks like below. 🙂

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your shop.

“I was an architect in my previous career, and have been a lifelong artist and crafter. I am super passionate about handmade and the slow fashion movement. In early 2015, I opened Circle of Stitches. I think the easiest way to describe us is, purveyors of squishy yarns and cozy gifts. We have a large selection of fine yarns for knitting, crochet, and weaving, and a collection of creative gifts made by local and indie artists and artisans.”

What was the inspiration for opening the shop?

“I was very involved in the fiber arts community for a few years before opening my shop. I’ve had my own line of hand-dyed yarns since 2011 and had been teaching knitting for a few years. The fiber arts community is wonderful: it brings together so many different people! My life started shifting in 2013, and I knew I wanted to have my own knit shop eventually. By fall of 2014, things lined up and it just became the perfect time to build my shop. In early 2015, we opened our doors! Since then, Circle of Stitches has evolved. I am super passionate about creativity and supporting small artists, so we expanded to include a collection of creative, small-production gifts and homewares.”

What made you choose the name?

“Circle of Stitches is a play on words. Being in Salem, I wanted something with a Salem vibe without being too obvious. Since my shop focuses primarily on fiber arts (stitching), circle of witches became Circle of Stitches.”

What made you choose Salem for the location of your shop?

“I live in Salem and I love the culture and energy of this town. I didn’t grow up in Salem, but I couldn’t imagine living or running my business anywhere else!”

What has the biggest challenge been for you as a business owner in the witch city? What advice would you give to someone considering opening a shop in Salem?

“Owning a business in Salem is both amazing and challenging. Salem is very vibrant for a small town, and we are lucky to have so many visitors. On the other hand, it can be frustrating for people who live in Salem, especially during the busy tourist seasons. I think the most important thing to remember is that if you are opening a business in Salem, you have to accept and embrace what it means to be here.”

What’s one thing you’d want people to know about your business that may not be inherently obvious?

“We have lots of things for non-knitters! I am really passionate about handmade and indie products, so I’ve been working hard on developing a selection of crafty and creative gifts suitable for everyone. Also, we want to dispel the myth that fiber arts are only for older generations! The fiber industry has changed so much, and it has so much to offer to anyone interested in working with their hands.”

Is running a business in Salem in October as chaotic as it sounds?

“Circle of Stitches is not a witch-centric business, so we don’t experience October the same way a lot of other businesses do. But it’s still hectic navigating the huge crowds!”

Do you have any future or upcoming events you’re excited about or want to share?

“We offer a changing selection of workshops and classes all year round! Intro to knitting and intro to crochet happen monthly, but we have a huge array of classes, including book binding, tapestry weaving, lotion making, tarot workshops, and more! The best way to see what we’re up to is to visit our website.”

Do you have a product or service that is your specialty? Is there something specific you are known for?

“We definitely specialize in knitting. We are a very-hands on full service knit shop, so if you’ve ever thoughts about knitting, or know a little bit but wish you knew more, come see us! We work hard to make sure each of our customers is successful in their projects.”

Do you do anything specific or special during certain times of the year? October or non.

“Every March, we are part of the Knit North Yarn Crawl. This year, we are working on some special crafty workshops with a witchy spin for October, keep an eye out!”

Circle of Stitches is located at 66 Wharf Street Salem, MA 01970.
(978) 745-9276 | www.circleofstitches.com

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