Start Your New Year With a New Skill

The New Year is often a time of new beginnings. As the winter holidays wrap up and we reflect upon the year that has just passed, I am thinking about all the new promises that the upcoming year holds. This year, consider giving yourself the gift of a new skill. Experiential learning not only gives us a creative outlet, allowing us to engage our minds outside our nine-to-five, it also gives us a new hobby with which we can continue to engage for years to come.My hobby is knitting! Knitting is stress relieving, mentally engaging, and a great creative outlet. In addition to making both beautiful and practical things, such as scarves or hats, knitting has also rewarded me with new friends and a community. Here in Old Town, fibre space serves the important role of Local Yarn Shop (or LYS in crafter lingo), which translates to part yarn store, part education and resource center, and one hundred percent community center. If you have any interest in learning about fiber crafts such as knitting, crocheting, weaving, or spinning, this is the spot for you.These days, between the vibrant knitting community we have in Old Town and the wonders of YouTube, if you think you’d like to teach yourself how to knit, fibre space can help you hit the ground running. All you need is an intro to knit kit and a little time. We have this fun one from TOFT. For $44, this kit comes complete with beautiful yarn, an easy to follow pattern for beginners, knitting needles, and a darning needle for finishing this gorgeous white scarf. Before you know it, you’ll be asking the yarnistas what you should be making next!Our other recommended learn to knit kit is this one, which comes with a fibre space branded notion case filled with tools of the trade, bamboo needles, and a learn to knit book. The kit is $29.75 plus the cost of your choice of yarn. We would love to help you pick out the perfect skein!If classroom learning is more your speed, fibre space offers introductory courses for both knitting and crochet. Each class has a maximum of six students and features an experienced instructor who will be able to engage with you throughout the course. Intro to Knit (or crochet!) courses run for three consecutive weeks, and cost $75, not including materials. Classes begin again in January, on both weeknights and weekends. If you’d rather have one-on-one lessons, select instructors also offer private lessons for $40 for an hour of time.Take some time this new year and treat yourself to learning a new skill! I hope to see you at fibre space soon.