Photo: Alex Schwerdt Wheeler.

PARK CITY, Utah — In June, after 11 years, two storefronts, and a pandemic, Wasatch and Wool Yarns owner Margaux Kelleher asked the knitting community to pick up the yarn.

In a blog post she wrote, “Now is the time for me to take a step back, take better care of myself and create new adventures and experiences outside the store…I am hoping to pass Wasatch and Wool on to a new owner (or owners). If this turn-key yarn store is something that interests you, please contact me.”

Alex Schwerdt Wheeler answered. “I answered her right away,” she said. “It felt like it was meant to be. When I saw the newsletter, I just got this feeling in my bones that it was calling me to do this.”

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Born and raised in Utah, Wheeler began to knit when she was 12. Without a local yarn store as a resource, let alone YouTube or TikTok, she felt as though she was figuring it all out on her own.

“Local yarn shops are very important to the community,” said Wheeler. “It’s our space to connect with others who share our interests. It’s our place to learn and understand the fiber arts—spinning, knitting, crocheting, and weaving. The thought of having a local yarn shop close and losing that community, the place to gather, just wasn’t an option for me.”

Wheeler has no plans to shake up the legacy and community that Kelleher has knit together by keeping employees who have served Wasatch and Wool Yarns over the years, connecting with customers and fellow knitters.

“I am really just excited to continue the relationship with the employees and to get to know the community better, just to help support,” she said. “I’ve just felt such support from the community. People are very excited that [the store] is continuing. A lot of people were so sad to hear that it might close, so I feel like the whole community and employees, everyone just wants this to be a successful shop.”

There are no stupid questions in the yarn shop. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned fabric artist, Wheeler emphasizes that the shop is a judgement free zone, ready to answer help and give guidance.

Kelleher always offered classes, as will Wheeler. Upcoming classes include, learn to knit a pillow, urban adventure sweater, and perky little hat.

She has extended hours unitl 8 p.m. on Tuesdays for locals night. Wednesdays Sit and Stitch at 11 a.m. remain for the community to come and work on projects together. Annabel Jamail joins on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. if you need a friendly person to look over your knitting or have a question about a particular stitch. ($25 fee per session or free if your yarn was purchased from Wasatch and Wool.)

Beyond knitting, look out for crochet and spinning opportunities. Wheeler took some spinning classes in 2017 (think “Sleeping Beauty” not Peloton) and purchased her own wheel, which will be housed in the shop.

During the transition Kelleher and Wheeler spent a lot of quality time together, reflecting on the community and business, meeting distributors and employees. “We sat down and talked, and we both cried. We both cried like every time we met. It was just meant to be,” said Wheeler.

“I really want to make sure that we give Margaux her appreciation and recognize the community she has built, along with the history she has made in the Park City area. Being able to take what she’s grown and bring it into this new life is important to me. I want to make sure I’m bringing an open and welcoming atmosphere to crocheters and knitters who are learning, so this feels like an inviting and non-intimidating place.”

For more information on classes, resources, and all things Wasatch and Wool Yarns, visit its website, or just pop in and meet the new owner at 1200A Iron Horse Drive in Park City. Wheeler will host the grand reopening on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.