Educational Results Partnership recognizes RUSD and 11 schools for sustained achievement and progress in closing gaps.
Redlands Police Weekly Update: Oct. 16-23
City Council approves more than $3.6 million in contracts to modernize lab facilities, stabilize hillside terrain and install an ultra-low emissions flare system.
Freshly renovated and full of color, Redlands’ Hands on Knitting Center is inviting the community to celebrate the art of fiber and craft with two upcoming events.
During two busy weeks this fall, Hands On Knitting Center at 912 New York Street closed its doors for a full renovation.
Customers and class participants weren’t left behind. The store shared daily updates on social media while online classes continued. Customers and partners met in other spots around Redlands to keep up with their projects instead of gathering at the shop’s communal table.
In 2011, Hands On Knitting Center shifted from two owners to a partnership model. In 2018, the store moved from a smaller location to its current space behind Empire Bowl. What began with six partners has now grown to ten.
“It was very crowded many times,” said partner Brigid Kumler. When the team moved to the larger location, friends and family helped create the space. After seven years, they hired a construction company to update wiring, air conditioning and other systems—allowing them to move the cashier to the front of the store.
Another major improvement involved the communal table, which now has brighter lighting.
“The biggest comment has been how much brighter it is and that we can see the yarn better,” Kumler said.
“The nicest compliment I keep hearing, especially from older customers, is, ‘Your lighting is better here than at home, so I’m coming here more often,’” added Debbie Romero, another partner.
Changing the layout has also made it easier for customers to get help. Partners take turns running the store and assisting with projects—and now they’re the first people customers see when walking in.
Current co-owners and partners are Charla Rosa, Brigid Kumler, Diane Hara, Barbara Kreaseck, Roxanne Chavez, Rikki Vahovick, Lisa Teichgraeber, Debbie Romero, Gretchen Hicks and Clover Rogers.
One of the store's main goals is for customers to feel at home.
“We want to be that place where you can come and sit and knit and meet new people,” Kumler said. “It’s very unusual in the yarn industry to come in and sit down and not pay.”
“Or you have to pay for help,” Romero added. At Hands On Knitting Center, assistance is free.
People come from all over the Inland Empire and beyond. “We are a pit stop coming and going from Palm Springs,” she said.
“We want to build a really neat community,” Kumler added. That community extends online: since the pandemic, the store has continued offering virtual classes that reach customers worldwide.
A new wall system displays yarn in every color of the rainbow. New clear cubes can be moved around the store to make room for events. An old card catalog from a local university library holds knitting needles at the register.
The partners make store models of designs and use of the yarn they carry, so customers can get a feel for sizing, texture and thickness of the different yarns.
“We know that what really sells yarn is getting to see what it looks like made up,” Kumler said.
This Saturday, the store hosts its annual Artisan Faire, featuring several different fiber artists, as well as homemade pickles and salsa, jewelry and woodwork.
"Beverly Fly who does pine needle weaving is coming back,” Kumler said, mentioning her past popularity at the fair.
The main attraction will be local knitting designer, Nancy Bates, nationally know for her books on designing hats based on the National Parks and California. Bates will be signing her new release, Knitting the U.S.A., from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The store also carries yarn from Bates’ daughter’s company, Allie B Yarn, along with locally dyed Peekaboo Yarn from Rancho Cucamonga. Hands On Knitting Center is the region’s flagship retailer for Circulo Yarn and also carries cashmere, mohair and new William Morris–inspired designs.
“We do have a lot more plant-based fibers,” Kumler added, mentioning bamboo, linen and cotton that are lighter to wear in warmer climates.
Six of the partners will host a booth at the SoCal Fiber Fair in November.
“It’s so fun. People are so excited to be able to have that,” Kumler said.
The partners hope to bring in more people from Redlands.
“Once you learn how, it’s relaxing,” Kumler said of doing fiber arts.
“I do not do well if I am not creative in some form,” Romero added. “And we meet fun people.”
Artisan Faire at Hands On Knitting Center
📅 Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
📍 Hands On Knitting Center, 912 New York St., Suite A, Redlands
✍️ Knitting designer and author Nancy Bates will sign her newest book, “Knitting the U.S.A.,” from 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
SoCal Fiber Fair
📅 Nov. 22–23, 2025, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
📍 Expo Hall 9, The Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona
🌐 www.socalfiberfair.com
About Hands On Knitting Center
📍 912 New York St., Suite A, Redlands
📞 (909) 793-8712
✉️ handsonknittingcenter@gmail.com
🌐 www.handsonknittingcenter.com
🕙 Open Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Wed until 8 p.m.
🧶 Donated handmade blankets earn a 25% coupon toward your next purchase.
Beginner classes are offered on a monthly basis. Other classes and events like PJ parties, book club and knitting at the movies are scheduled throughout the year.
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