Now Reading
It’s Good to Be Baaad: Baaad Anna’s – Not Your Mama’s Knitting Store

It’s Good to Be Baaad: Baaad Anna’s – Not Your Mama’s Knitting Store

Looking for a terrific knitting store in Vancouver to help feed your yarn stash? I know I always am. So when I discovered that Baaad Anna’s was just a five minute drive from my East Van home – well, I had to find out all about it.

New mom Anna Hunter opened Baaad Anna’s a year ago in Vancouver’s up-and-coming Hastings-Sunrise, an area perfect for moms who want to take a stroll in an urban neighbourhood. Stop in at mom hot spot The Laughing Bean for a latte, browse the consignment rack at Little Green Baby, take out a book at the library, shop for fish at Wheelhouse Seafoods and pick up a few home essentials at London Drugs (which incidentally will be undergoing a huge renovation over the next couple of years). Pomegranate Midwives is even just a few doors down.

Before opening the store, Anna was a housing advocate in Vancouver’s downtown east side, representing tenancy disputes. She needed to take a break from that work to recharge her batteries and decided to pursue her second passion – knitting. Anna also planned to have a family. “I wanted to have work that I could bring my kiddo to and … had some control over.” Starting her own business gave her that freedom, while creating a job and community that she felt passionate about.

Baaad Anna’s carries a wide range of both luxury and affordable natural fiber yarns, including  wool, alpaca, cotton, silk and cashmere. The store also sells locally dyed and sourced yarn. “We have a good selection of it, especially sock and lace yarn.” You can also pick up metal, bamboo and plastic needles, along with some notions.

Despite the tongue-in-cheek tag line, Anna hopes that everyone will enjoy her store. Anna envisions knitters and crocheters from all walks of life coming to the store: young people, older people, new moms, women and men. “I really wanted to create not only a store, but a community where everyone felt welcome and encouraged whether they had tonnes of experience or no experience.” Her hopes seem to be becoming a reality. Both first-time and seasoned crafters attend the weekly Wednesday night stitch ‘n’ bitch, where everyone can learn from each other; and the store’s knitting and crochet classes, which are priced at a sliding scale, have doubled to meet the need.

And there’s plenty for moms and their kids. The store is large enough for a stroller to wheel around while you touch the yarn. Toddler and preschool-aged kids can also enjoy a kid-zone area well-stocked with paper, markers, toys and books while you chill out on the couches and knit a few rows. You can get to know other moms during the store’s free Tuesday morning mom-and-kiddo knit group. Expecting a baby and feel the maternal need to learn how to knit? Baaad Anna’s offers a beginner class that focuses on a baby project.

And it’s not just for adults. Kids aged six and older can attend a variety of classes, including felting, knitting and crocheting. The store even has a class to teach kids how to dye with kool-aid and special birthday packages for kids!

But Anna hasn’t gone to far from her first passion. “Every winter we have a large knit-a-thon to produce as many hats, scarves and mittens for the city’s homeless and we donate a large amount of food, clothing etc. to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.”

Baaad Anna’s: Not Your Mama’s Yarn Store

2667 E. Hastings St. (between Nanaimo and Renfrew), Vancouver. 604-255-2577
www.baaadannas.com
| Twitter: baaadannas | Facebook

View Comment (1)
  • Hello my name is Natasha Richter. I own and run a small hand knit clothing business, geared towards babies and toddlers. And I was wondering if your company purchases items from smaller companies. I look forward to hearing from you.
    Natasha Richter

VancouverMom.ca

Established in 2009, VancouverMom.ca is an online resource providing urban, hyperlocal information on what to do and what's new for families in Metro Vancouver. 

© 2021 Crisp Media Inc.

Scroll To Top
X
X