The Great Escape: Knit and Crochet

Knitting and crocheting—they’re not just your grandmother’s hobbies anymore.

These days, knitting and crocheting are quite the rage, thanks to modern, high-fashion twists on patterns and yarns, and celebrities like Vanna White and Julia Roberts, who are making needle arts “cool” again—not to mention bestselling fiction book series like The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs and the Blossom Street books by knitter and author Debbie Macomber.

Knitting is a fun, social hobby to share with friends—check out the Stitch 'n' Bitch series of books and network of social clubs, to give you an idea—but it can also serve as a “great escape.” Many die-hard knitters say it’s not only a great creative outlet, but it’s also the perfect way to relax at the end of a long day, or when you’re stuck inside and can't enjoy the outdoors.

If knitting and crocheting are things you’ve considered trying, but you just don’t know where to start, popular yarn shop at 293 State St. in Los Altos can help get you going.

When you step into Uncommon Threads, you are greeted with a world full of colors and textures—walls of shelves that reach to the ceiling, full to the brim with wools, silks, cashmeres, cottons and alpacas. Finished projects like scarves, sweaters, baby booties and the like are on display around the store to serve as inspiration, and so your fingers can fondle the different textures, to help you pick just the right feel of yarn for you. The store features yarns from such brands as Rowan, Lana Grossa, Cascade, Nashua, Crystal Palace, Classic Elite, Dale of Norway, Berocco and Koigu.

Classes are offered year-round, for both the beginner who’s never picked up a needle or hook in her life, to workshops and knit-alongs for the seasoned veteran. A schedule is available online.

Lessons for beginners take place over two sessions on Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m., and will start soon—choose April 13 and 20, or May 11 and 18. Intermediate classes often take place on Thursday nights, 7-9 p.m. There are also several one-day, subject-focused classes such as “Tunisian Crochet” and “Yarn Substitutions,” which teaches you how to choose the right yarn for your project when you can’t find the brand the pattern suggests, or it’s too expensive for your budget.

For more information or to register for classes at Uncommon Threads, visit the store online at uncommonthreadsyarn.com or call 650-941-1815.