During the Kansas City Yarn Crawl in September, I had the pleasure to meet and talk with Shawna Stombaugh, the owner of Knit Ewe Together. Knit Ewe Together is a LYS located in Excelsior Springs, MO. My first purchase during the KCYC was at her shop and was the yarn collaboration with New Garden Yarns and Steel Floozy. Settle in, get cozy and check out our interview.
How did you first get interested in knitting/crocheting?
“Growing up, I loved watching my aunt knit. She took her knitting everywhere, always crafting sweaters for her kids or little hats for the babies at the hospital where she worked. As I got older, she began teaching me to crochet, and I quickly fell in love with the craft. I crocheted everything—hats, gloves, blankets. I even made a king-size blanket the first time my husband went on a business trip after we got married.
After my second son was born, I decided to try knitting. I went back to my aunt and asked her to teach me again. Once I got the hang of it, I dove right in, taking on any project that caught my eye—the bigger the challenge, the better.“
What inspired you to open a yarn shop?
“My passion for knitting and crochet sparked a desire to explore higher-quality yarns. It became an obsession to find the nearest local yarn store everywhere I traveled. Each shop we visited offered something unique, something special to discover and enjoy. Soon, I found myself dreaming about how amazing it would be to have a yarn store of my own—a place where I could work with beautiful fibers every day. In 2011 when we lost our daughter 36 weeks into our pregnancy, I was devastated to say the least. But with some VERY strong Christian women by my side, I knew God had a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11). Fast forward to the fall of 2019, I decided to make it happen. After many, many chats with friends that had businesses in Excelsior Springs, a wonderful friend had a building for rent and I decided to sign the lease. My friends and I picked out some beautiful & delicious fibers to get the store all stocked up & set our Grand Opening for March 14, 2020.“
What was the most challenging part of starting your business?
“We had no idea of the chaos 2020 would bring, but I held onto my vision, trusting it would lead to something good if I stayed strong. Little by little, I discovered what would make my store truly unique: local products. I love filling my store with fiber grown on nearby farms in Excelsior, yarns dyed by local artisans, soaps crafted from sheep’s milk, and beautiful, handmade creations from women in our community. Today, over half the store is filled with these wonderful local treasures, and I’m proud to say we’re still growing! The name Knit Ewe Together is inspired by two things: “Ewe,” meaning a female sheep, and the verse, “You knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13b). This community of crafters coming together at Knit Ewe Together has been a source of renewal for me, knitting me back together while weaving new friendships along the way.“
Any surprises along the way?
“We were surprised to acquire stock from a LYS that had closed a few years back. The yarn from that acquisition is listed on my website (and being added to constantly) and will occasionally make an appearance in the store.“
What can customers expect when they visit your shop?
“At the back of the store, we have a spacious sitting room where everyone is welcome, regardless of their craft or skill level. Our store is organized with local yarns displayed on the left side and major brands on the right. We arrange most yarns by weight, from bulky yarns near the front to sock-weight yarns further back. We also carry a wide variety of accessories—including plenty of bags (I love a good bag!).“
Do you offer any unique products or services?
We carry yarns from three talented dyers—New Garden Farms, Steel Floozy Yarns, and Parson’s Prairie—as well as fibers from three local farms: New Garden Farms, Parson’s Prairie, and Belle Ridge Wool. From January to October, we offer a range of classes: Crochet on the 4th Saturday and Knitting on the 2nd Saturday, both from 10 am to 12 pm. We also hold Kids’ classes on the 3rd Saturday, along with Level 2 classes every Saturday from 1–3 pm. Each fall, we typically run a stranded colorwork class, and sock classes at various levels are offered throughout the year.
How do you foster a sense of community among your customers?
We typically host two make-alongs each year: one in the spring featuring tees or cardigans, and one in the fall focused on blankets or sweaters. Right now, we’re running a “block of the month” blanket make-along, offering both knit and crochet versions. Additionally, we host a two-day retreat in March, with tickets available starting at 8 am on Black Friday.
Does social media play a part in your business?
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with social media, ha-ha! I know I should post more, but I often struggle with what to say. We have both a Facebook page (Knit Ewe Together) and an Instagram account (@knitewetogether). I also try to send out newsletters as often as I remember!
What trends are you seeing in the yarn and crafting world right now?
I think people are loving the kit idea. There is nothing better than a yarn and pattern all wrapped into one.
Do you have any tips for beginners or seasoned crafters?
Just keep crafting!! Crafting calms your mind and keeps you grounded. Even if something doesn’t make sense now, later it will all work out. Ask questions! There are no stupid questions, I guarantee someone has wondered the same thing, and you may learn a new trick in the end. Advice on selecting yarn, learning techniques, or project ideas.
What are your future plans for the shop? Any upcoming projects or collaborations?
Nothing yet, we are always looking for ideas!
How do you envision the future of the yarn community?
I believe we are all looking for a place where we belong, and I think the yarn community is fostering that sense of belonging.
Shawna, thanks so much for answering my questions. If you are looking for a great place for a getaway, I’d recommend Excelsior Springs! Be sure to stop in and shop at Knit Ewe Together she has a lot of local items available to choose from.
(Watch the video if you’d like to see all our photos at Knit Ewe Together from the KC Yarn Crawl!)
Knit Ewe Together
114 E Broadway Avenue
Excelsior Springs, MO
https://www.knitewetogether.com
Thanks for spending time with me today.
~ Belle
