5 Tips For The Novice Knitter

“I think anyone can learn how to knit or crochet,” says Rachel Maurer, who was taught by her grandmother and mother, and now shares various purls of wisdom at La Casita Yarn Shop, located at 253 Smith Street.

Jennifer Lopez opened the yarn shop in December 2009, after years of working in corporate environs and ogling a similar boutique in the West Village.

"My family purchased the building in the early 60s and have owned it ever since," says Lopez. "My grandfather had a bargain store here in this space, followed by my father who created his carpentry/woodworking shop. So as you can see, the shop has remained in the family for over 40 years!"

When the Carroll Gardens space again became available, La Casita—one part skein mecca, one part learning center and one part café—was born.

Offering an array of workshops that range from Adult Beginning Crochet with seven other students ($75 for a four-hour, two-part session) to Private Classes ($60 for one hour, by appointment), the shop attracts a wide range of knitters and crocheters from Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and beyond. 

But what do you do if you don't know your heathers from your tweeds? Here, Maurer offers a few rules of thumb to getting started.

Start small. Even though you may have been inspired to start knitting after seeing that gorgeous ombre throw at your aunt’s holiday party, resist the temptation to take on too much too soon. “We encourage people to start with a cowl instead of a six-foot-long scarf,” says Maurer. “Because you’re going to get discouraged.” 

Then, get creative. Once you’ve found your way around the needles a little more, the world can literally become your reverse stockinette stitched oyster. “We sell patterns and also offer project classes, where you can come in and say you want to work on something specific that we will help oversee in case you need help,” says Maurer. And it’s not just about scarves! You can make necklaces, shrugs, crocheted teacup sets, a cover for a bench, a doll, or whatever else your yarn-bombing heart desires.

Let go of knitting stereotypes and just embrace your inner crochet nerd. It’s not just for little old ladies anymore. “Ages range from 7 to 18 to the person who says ‘I learned how to knit 50 years ago but I don’t remember,’” says Maurer, who helped host a Vogue Knitting event recently complete with a runway, DJ, drinks and designer looks. “We also get a lot of men,” she adds. “Knitting is for everyone.”

Speaking of. Bring your mini crochet nerd along, too. La Casita offers kids Friday meetups, which include materials and a snack for $25 and last for an hour and a half. Kids classes are also available, and will provide children will all of the same basic tools that adults are taught. Kids love making tiny bunny dolls as a first project, says Maurer.

Be prepared to pony up. From luxurious cashmere to superfine merino, decadent silk and organic cottons, La Casita is literally a ball to shop at. But handcraft materials come with a pricetag. “[Knitting is] never going to be cheaper than buying a mass-produced item,” admits Maurer. “But you get the reward of creating and finishing something you really love.”

Plus, there's the allure of hours spent with friends, sipping wine and stitching. “It’s become very social for people to knit together,” she adds. “Instead of going to a bar to hang out with your friends, at least you’re being productive this way.”