Knit/Crochet-Along

Our Story

After more than 26 years in the high technology business sector, as a former employee of Hewlett Packard and Quantum Corporation, and more recently a partner in a laser software technology start-up, Yarn & Thread Expressions shop owner, Carol Fuller, decided it was time for a change of career.

She’d long been interested in the retail business, especially dreaming about a boutique of some sort. It seemed a logical step for her to open a shop for knitters and crocheters since she practiced these skills from early childhood. Taught to crochet by her grandmother when she was ten or eleven, she then learned to knit in Girl Scouts in order to earn a merit badge and felt it was an area she knew well. She figured she could learn the retail business with some classes and on-the-job training.

She started Yarn & Thread Expressions in a tiny store front in Lemon Grove which officially opened for business in late November 2007. The location had recently been occupied by a previous yarn shop called the Knitting Basket run by Pat Carlson, a long time Lemon Grove resident and business woman.

Two years later Carole Edelman began teaching knitting classes at the shop.   Carole’s teaching background as an elementary school teacher serves her well in being able to teach knitting to all levels of knitters.  Her creative skills are evident everywhere you look in the shop, especially in all of our seasonal displays.

The City of Lemon Grove decided they needed to rebuild their city center, and the building the shop occupied at the time was scheduled for demolition as part of the rebuilding effort. That meant finding a new location, which ended up being where we are now in La Mesa. We moved in August 2011, with the help of wonderful friends and customers.

The move was a benefit in that it permitted us to triple the retail space which enabled the shop to carry a broader range of yarns and notions and patterns.  It also allowed for a much bigger area for five regular classes every week, in addition to our Sit & Knit night.

Our official shop greeter, Squeeky, is a very sweet and adorable Maltese-Poodle mix.  Carol got her about the time renovations on the Lemon Grove shop began.   Early customers to the shop would have seen Squeeky in a baby playpen, where she could sleep and be out of harms way – she was not even 2 pounds then!   While she is now a robust 15 pounds, Squeeky takes her job seriously and loves to nap in between greeting people while on the check out desk.

Please stop by the next time you’re in the neighborhood. There is almost always something interesting going and Carol is happy to help plan your next project or help you over the rough spots on your current one.