More than a yarn shop, Unwind Yarn House is a community of makers. We are fresh, fun and a little bit dorky.
We specialise in beautiful natural-fibre yarn from all over the globe. There is a special place in our heart for Canadian yarn. The happy place of many; they stop in for a new project, colour therapy, to dream, to be inspired, or for advice.
Our main focus is knitting and crochet. Though we enjoy many fibre arts, including embroidery, punch needle and macrame.
Founded in 2005 by Wendy Russell, Unwind has always made a home on Main Street, Newmarket. Unwind sits on the traditional territories of the Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe peoples.
We celebrate the heritage and cultural diversity of Canada, believing that Together, We Bloom. We continue working towards an equitable future for all.
All are welcome here!
Like many knitters, my Grandmother taught me to knit when I was young. As time passed I forgot that I knew how to do it. Until one day I saw a skein of Manos del Uruguay hanging in the window of Unwind. It was love at first sight. I walked into the store and Wendy charmed me into signing up for a Learn to Knit class. I remembered how to knit as soon as the needles were in my hands and Unwind became my knitting home.
After a varied career, doing everything from wine tasting to leadership development, I began looking for my next challenge. I spent some time with a brilliant career coach. We sorted through my skills, experience and desires. One of my requirements for the next challenge was that I wanted to wear handknit socks to work every day. I purchased Unwind in 2019 and wear handknit socks every day. So I guess this has worked out perfectly.
My name is Allana, and I LOVE crochet! I’m so excited to be joining the Unwind Yarn House team and look forward to meeting you all. Growing up, I spent every Sunday with my Grandma and Great Grandma, who were knit and crochet enthusiasts.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve reconnected with crochet, and I’m hooked (pun intended!). I truly enjoy learning anything new and sharing any helpful tips or tricks I come across.
April is our Crochet & Tunisian Crochet guru. She teaches our classes, designs fun pieces and participates in holidays markets selling her handmade wares.
April has a passion for designing textured items with interesting stitch combinations. She also loves creating pieces to showcase Canadian yarn and yarn dyers.
I’ve been knitting for just over six years now, and I have just begun designing patterns and dying yarn to share with the fibre community. Something I love about working at Unwind Yarn House is getting to meet so many amazing people from within the yarn community!
Some fun facts about me.. I’m currently in school getting my Bachelors Degree in Behavioural Psychology, and have hopes to continue on to get my Masters to become a Forensic Psychologist. I’ve worked the last several years of my life in the field of Disability Support work in a group home setting supporting the individuals who live there. I also have a true crime podcast that I host alongside my best friend Hailey, called How To Not Get Killed! So if you have dark comedy, a potty mouth, and love learning about different true crime cases definitely check us out!
Can’t wait to meet you all in the shop, talk yarn, and hopefully do some knitting/crocheting together!
