Photo by María Helena Carey
Aside from the eye-catching colors, the I-wish-I’d-made-that crafts and the I-gotta-have-it yarns and fabrics, the thing that will grab you first when you step inside Stitch DC is just how nice owner Marie Connolly is.
The day I went into her store to chat a little and take some pictures, she was taking a phone call and proceeded to amiably chat for a few minutes about where to shop in DC; where to eat; and how best to get around. I assumed incorrectly that the interlocutor was a friend of Marie’s. However, once she explained the woman was a stranger, it became clear to me why Stitch DC has been not just a Barracks Row fixture for six years, but also a destination shopping experience that has a cult-like following in Capitol Hill and beyond. “It’s all about customer service. [A person coming into the store] is a guest first, and a customer second.”
Photo by María Helena Carey
Her store, with its cozy interior and helpful staff is a testament to that: there is a comfortable, living room-like area overlooking a pretty interior garden; also, many of the classes Marie offers build on this guest/friend notion. Her workshops are thoughtfully put together to encourage collaboration– no newbie is too awkward! From beginner workshops that teach small and relatively unambitious projects (Don’t be offended! It’s ambitious enough to decide you want to start knitting!), to classes that focus on finishing projects and finishing mistakes, Stitch DC covers everyone who ever wanted to do something beautiful with fiber. The store has even started carrying fabric since December of 2009 and, accordingly, offering quilting and sewing classes –again, anything from knowing your way around your own sewing machine to more complex endeavors, such as making a shift. On Wednesday nights, you can drop in for an independent study of sorts, where you can get help and/or motivation with your project(s) and make friends with whom to knit, crochet, or kvetch. Incidentally, if you are interested in signing up for any of the workshops, please check out Stitch DC’s blog at http://stitchdcblog.blogspot.com, and you can sign up right online!
Photo by María Helena Carey
But back to Marie. In 2004 she longed to have a job that was more a reflection of her artistic side but wanted to keep those aspects of her old job that appealed to her, such as being able to walk or bike to work. At the time, she worked for Prudential as a real estate agent. While it was enjoyable –she still holds a real estate license– she wanted to do something that involved her crafty side. Her husband, also a realtor, suggested the current space at 731 8th Street, SE, for a store and that was that! From then on, Marie has been hard at work creating a wonderful space for Capitol Hill crafters, where you know all the stock has been lovingly chosen, tried out, and tested to make your projects look great. She is so accomplished at what she does, she’s even written the book (or, well, a book) about it! The Expectant Knitter is a lovely book of designs for baby clothes– which incidentally can make excellent projects for newbie knitters, as they are easier to finish due to their size and because “everyone is always having a baby anyway!”
Whether you are an expert, novice or aspiring knitter or crocheter, or you know someone who fits into any of these categories, pay a visit to Marie at Stitch DC and enjoy a wonderful time exploring beautiful things while you’re treated warmly. And just in time for Mother’s Day, they have awesome Stitch DC logo bags so, if you can’t even cast one on, you can still support DC’s one and only yarn store in style!
Stitch DC is located at 731 8th Street, SE. and they are open every day, but hours vary. Give them a call ahead at 202-487-4337 or 202-544-8900 and if you’re nice, I’m sure Marie can recommend where to have lunch.