Knitting by Boat: Part 3 – Knitting Needles

Next on our tour we go back to the sailing capitol of the East Coast, Newport. There are a lot of marinas in town. Bannister Wharf is my choice because it’s centrally located in the thick of things right in downtown Newport. For non-knitters there is plenty to see in town including my favorite shop, Anchor Bend Glass. You can pick up a memento of your trip in the form of a gorgeous glass wave as blue as a sapphire or something seasonal to remember all the fun you had in this little state. Before heading up Thames Street to Knitting Needles, stop in at The Black Pearl for a cup of chowder. For those who prefer not to BYOB, Newport’s transportation center is serviced by Peter Pan Bus Line.

In Newport, it’s a short walk from Bannister’s Wharf to Knitting Needles. This shop carries a great selection of Universal Yarn and a selection of all the standards you need to make special holiday gifts like Ella Rae, Louisa Harding, Berocco, KFI, and Queensland. Queensland Llama Lace Melange is particularly popular this year. While I was there I found out why; it’s the perfect twist for cables and soft as air.

Knitting Needles owner, Michelle Brennan, offers many patterns free with yarn purchase including some wonderful tank tops, baby garments and seasonal hats. The shop carries patterns from Yankee Knitter Designs and a selection of nautical theme patterns. Classes are offered in the summer and upon request.

Brennan’s most popular patterns for gift giving are those featuring a classic nautical themes such as her anchor vest and port of call boat neck sweater for children. This year, the new addition, a baby’s pirate sweater featuring some bold stripes and jaunty motif will be added to the available shop patterns. Tanks, cowls and scarves are also popular among the yachting set who make yearly stops through Knitting Needles during the Summer Season.

When I first walked into the store, I found Brennan’s approach to color and the mixing of yarns from different suppliers to be unique. She explained she does it in honor of her mother. They used to enjoy yarn shopping together and they always marveled at the way a shop would put together its wares to inspire creativity of the customers. Brennan has certainly done the same in Knitting Needles; just look how the Painted Sky dances with its neighbors on the shelf. You’ll have to come by and see it in person. Brennan summed up her shop best when she said “I love owning a yarn shop in Newport, visiting with fiber people, learning from them and helping them pick the right project. People from all over the world come to Newport. I am happy to be a part of their visit.”