'Losing a Talent,' Customers Bemoan Closing of Katonah Yarn

More than a store to buy patterns, needles and skeins, is a knitting desintation and place for locals to gather for open knit nights, classes and private lessons in the art of crocheting and knitting.

After a six-year run, the shop is closing its doors for good, owner Jennifer Ceisler told Patch.

"No one wants it to go away, but I have a new opportunity to work from home and that's right for me and my family," she said while helping a customer decide on a particular shade of purple yarn.

While Ceisler was talking about her new job in apparel and technical design, her customers were snapping up discounted merchandise and bemoaning the loss of a place where a community of knitters

"I'll miss the camraderie," said Bobbie Walkley of Bedford Hills, a weekly customer who stopped in Wednesday to pick up some supplies and say her goodbyes to Ceisler. "I'll miss Jennifer's talent and the atmosphere of this place."

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The pair embraced as Walkley left. Ceisler, obviously emotional as she bade farewell, said she had hoped someone would buy the business. "Everyone wants the store—even I'd like there to be a yarn store in my town I could go to—and I've talked to a lot of people."

So far, there haven't been any takers to purchase the business, which is apparently a labor of love for Ceisler, who has spent six days a week for the last six years at the store. She planned on meeting a wholesaler Wednesday night who was considering purchasing her remaining inventory, possibly  clearing out the store by the end of this week.

Ceisler has been an active part of the Katonah retail community and recently joined owner, Jennifer Cook, to collect 200 hand-knitted items and over 1,000 balls of yarn for a national contest sponsored by the writers of the children's book Extra Yarn. and donated the yarn to the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, where women in prison who will knit for their children, make layettes for new babies and hats to give away at the annual

After the closing, she will take some time to regroup and work toward new professional certifications, Ceisler said, hoping her new schedule will afford her more time to spend with her family, including three children who attend Katonah Elementary School, John Jay Middle School and John Jay High School, respectively.

Customers can check her blog for details on the store's last day.