Fondy Famous Featured, Hobbies & Crafts

Knitty Gritty Shop // Fond du Lac, WI

The Knitty Gritty shop in downtown Fond du Lac with owners Samantha and her mother who own the shop together. They’re going to tell us a little bit about what got them into doing this and why they love it.

Samantha and her mother always wanted to have some kind of shop together. They were always crafty and did everything under the moon. Then, six years ago, they were offered the opportunity to buy a business, including the name, clientele, and some stock. They found a small space in Mayville and took off with it.

They started in Mayville but quickly outgrew the location within a year. They decided to move to Fond du Lac because they heard there was a huge knitting community there. They found a location next to Robin Shoes and made the move during COVID, which was a big and scary jump. However, it ended up boosting their business significantly, as many people turned to knitting and crocheting during the pandemic. They always wanted to be a part of the downtown area, and when their lease was ending, they found a space that fit perfectly. Their knitters love the new location because it feels more like a cozy shop.

In the back room of the shop, they offer open social knitting on Tuesdays, where the community comes together to knit. They have about 18 ladies in the morning and a dozen more throughout the afternoon and evening. They also have a basket designated for knitters who want to donate hats, mittens, and scarves, which they distribute to local grade schools. Additionally, they have organized a drive for Tachita Institute, collecting yarn donations from the community.

One of their ongoing projects is the Knitted Knockers challenge/knit-along. Knitted Knockers are prosthetic breast forms for women going through breast cancer and mastectomies. The shop encourages knitters and crocheters to participate in the challenge, and those who complete a certain number of projects by the end of the year receive a gift card and a small gift. The completed Knitted Knockers are sent to a local organization that distributes them to those in need.

The Knitty Gritty shop is actively involved in giving back to the community. They strive to create a welcoming and personable environment for their customers. When people visit the shop, they are asked about their interests and where they’re from, fostering connections and building relationships. This personalized experience sets them apart from online shopping.

The shop offers various events and classes throughout the week. In addition to the Tuesday social knitting, they are open on Saturdays from 12 to 2 for those looking to escape the winter blues. Saturday mornings are dedicated to classes, and they have a sock club on Wednesdays and a sweater club on Thursdays. Occasionally, they also teach classes on Wednesday evenings.

Samantha and her mother are passionate about getting the younger generation involved in knitting and crochet. They have noticed that crochet, specifically amigurumi (little stuffed animals), is attracting younger crafters. While they don’t currently have classes on that topic, they hope to offer them in the future.

To stay connected with their customers, theKnitty Gritty shop has a website (nittygrittyshop.com), an Instagram page (@nittygrittyshop), and a Facebook page. They also have an email list where they send out updates about classes and events.
Overall, Samantha and her mother are thrilled with their decision to move their shop to downtown Fond du Lac. They have seen an increase in foot traffic and have enjoyed getting to know the community. Their goal is to create a welcoming and personable environment where people feel comfortable and inspired to pursue their knitting and crochet projects.

If you’re in the Fond du Lac area and interested in knitting or crocheting, be sure to check out the Knitty Gritty shop. They offer a variety of classes, events, and opportunities to give back to the community. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, you’ll find a warm and supportive community at the Knitty Gritty shop.