In a bright, colorful yarn shop in Bushwick, a crowd of young Brooklynites gather with yarn and needles to discuss their favorite TikTok trends, restaurants, roommates and movies. Though a stereotypically “grandma” hobby, more Gen-Zers and millennials are knitting, crocheting and crafting.
“I think a lot of younger people shop at this store, as opposed to the older ones. A lot of them are making really cool, fun stuff,” said Cleo Malone, the owner of Cleo’s Yarn Shop. “They want to make a piece that people can tell is handmade. A lot of older knitters will go for very sleek designs, more high fashion or minimalist. But here, it’s a lot of bright colors, lots of neons, lots of pink and yellow. That’s what I’m like, and I love that kind of energy.”
Malone opened Cleo’s Yarn Shop in 2022 after building a successful yarn business with their mother in Santa Rosa, California. Cleo’s was originally located in a warehouse in East Williamsburg, about a 15-minute walk from the Montrose Ave. subway station. In July, Cleo’s reopened in Bushwick on Varet St., complete with a full cafe serving coffee, tea and pastries in vintage dishes.
“There’s so much more foot traffic in this neighborhood, which is really nice. We’re getting to know a lot of the neighbors, and people are really kind and engaged in the neighborhood over here,” said Malone. “People still considered us Bushwick over there. It’s kind of an edgy warehouse neighborhood, so I feel like we’ve always been in Bushwick. Now, we’re just more in Bushwick. That definitely has led me to purchase different types of yarn and keep different yarn in stock. I’m a bright-color person; that’s why I painted everything in bright colors. I love that, and I think that that’s definitely incorporated…
Read the full article here
