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
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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