Local Knitters Hit the Road With Mobile Yarn Shop

There's countless L.A. food trucks nowadays serving up tacos and grilled cheese sandwiches to late night partiers, but only one will be roaming the streets catering to those with an appetite for crocheting.

The Yarnover Truck is the passion project of two North Hollywood women who became tightly knit when they met at a knitting group in 2010.

"We wanted to do something with our lives that aligned with our passion," said Barbra Pushies, who owns the business with Maridee Nelson.

They got the idea for a mobile yarn shop last July and in December, they bought an old Little Debbie truck that they coated with a layer of bright blue paint.

The Yarnover Truck is launching this weekend with an emphasis on keeping its yarn brands local.

Pushies said the business will do private parties, but there's a strategy to pull over near specific types of businesses across L.A.

"Knitters and crocheters love a good coffee shop, they love a good book store," she said.

But that doesn't mean the mobile store wants to alienate beginning and prospective knitters, Pushies said.

The Yarnover Truck will have samples of final sewn products, like sweaters and cardigans on display and classes and planned for the future.

And to add a bit more fun to the mix, Pushies said she hopes to draw in people with gag items like sewn moustaches.

"I also have an awesome crocheted afro wig," she said. "We've got multiple and other fun silly props. Even if you're not a knitter come and get a silly picture taken and learn a little about yarn."

Pushies is a production coordinator for Disney's Tinker Bell films, while Nelson works in advertising at Warner Bros. Studios. Both plan on keeping their day jobs for the time being.

As for knitting's popularity, Pushing says the Southland is the place to be at the moment.

"It's really popular, there's 32 yarn stores in L.A.," she said, adding: "It's a very social activity."