Broad Ripple Knits opened on November 17th, 2007 in the building that used to house Happy Trails Art Studio (as is evident by the neat floor coverings left behind). This knitting nook is the sister-store to the ever popular Mass Ave Knit Shop (which incidentally is located on Virginia Ave). Both locations are owned by Susan Brennan and, while the two shops are similar, both are worth stopping in.

So, stopping in is exactly what I did. I would like to learn to knit but am quite intimidated by the thought of taking it on. Store Manger Karin Lyons attempted to calm my fears by letting me know that they're around to help and that they're happy to show anyone a basic knit and purl.

Beyond the basics, you can find their class offerings in-store as well as online at www.broadrippleknits.com. Believe it or not, Lyons advises that new knitters take a sweater class. In this class you will learn how to read a pattern, knit different sizes and pick which yarn to use. When you think about it, this bit of knit knowledge makes sense. If all you know how to knit is a scarf, it is unlikely you'll be able to jump to making a sweater. The reverse is much more feasible.

The next sweater class starts January 19, 2008, from 9am 'til 11am and runs for three Saturdays. Call the store at 255-1833 to reserve your spot. For those of you who already know the knitty-gritty, they offer a color class where you can learn fair isle and intarsia. Not to worry, they'll also be offering hat and sock classes. When the classroom isn't in use, it can be reserved for groups at no charge.

Broad Ripple Knits offers a wide variety of yarn, including hemp and Julia (exclusive to the B.R. location). They also have standard items like knitting needles, stitch gauges, crochet hooks, books, magazines and even knitting calendars. Here you can find an assortment of buttons and shawl pins to adorn your newly knitted wares. My favorite find was the set of "I ♥ knitting" needles. And while I don't know yet if I heart knitting or not, I still love the needles.

They have a community table where you can sit, knit and ask questions anytime. Have them show you the design named for the Broad Ripple Art Fair. Broad Ripple Knits hopes to become a gathering place as well as a work space. Being located at 6406 Cornell Avenue makes it easy to access from the Monon trail and they'll even have a bike rack.