Photo courtesy of The Common Thread
By Julia Ferrara
The city of St. Petersburg is a hive for every type of artist. It’s buzzing with writers, painters, ceramicists, and more. The only groups that seemed to be missing were the knitters and crocheters, but not for long.
Slated to open in August, The Common Thread is a yarn shop and café owned by crochet instructor Shannon O’Brien.
Originally from California, O’Brien moved to St. Pete in 2022 and found a staggering shortage of local fiber shops that sold quality products.
“Months went by, hurricanes came and went, and still no new yarn shop opened in the city,” said O’Brien. “Then Joann Fabrics closed, and it really felt like the fiber arts community was left with few options.”
That’s when the idea for The Common Thread was born. The shop is designed to serve as an inclusive third space and will offer a curated selection of high-quality yarns, from plant-based fibers to indie-dyed luxury skeins, as well as needles, hooks, notions and patterns.
In addition to that, the shop will also serve locally roasted coffee and drinks in a comfortable café space for people to relax and meet other creatives.
O’Brien plans to host classes, workshops, local maker markets, themed craft nights, and a social stitch circle.
“It’s a uniquely St. Pete kind of spot. Built for artists, hobbyists and anyone bold enough to craft their own clothing or home goods,” said O’Brien. “Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or a curious beginner, there’s a place for you here.”
That sense of community is what people are looking for the shop to fulfill. St. Pete resident and knitter, Corinna Cicmanec, shares that there hasn’t been a great way to meet other fiber artists, especially outside of a 9-to-5 job.
“Knitting in FL can be challenging because it’s hard to wear wool year-round, so it’s great talking to others to get ideas of projects to knit, or non-wool yarns to try,” Cicmanec said.
Cicmanec also recounts the last local yarn shop in the city, Stash St. Pete, which closed in 2022, leaving fiber artists to rely on larger chains or commuting out of town to find what they need.
For her, she’s looking forward to having a place in the city to meet people and gain more knitting knowledge.
“The making community is so welcoming, so I think it’s going to be a great place for people to learn as well,” Cicmanec said
For O’Brien, this has been a long-time dream, and to see it all come together has been a rewarding experience.
“I can’t wait to give people a tactile, in-person yarn shopping experience –- the kind where you can touch the fibers, see the colors in natural light, and get inspired,” said O’Brien.
“I’m also really excited to meet other people who love fiber arts as much as I do, introduce new folks to their next favorite hobby, and create a space where everyone feels welcome.”
To stay up to date on the shop’s timeline, follow their social media @CommonThreadStPete.
