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Maranacook Yarns: A Local Source of Quality Yarns
"Knitting has taken off," is the observation of Gari Smith-Bayreuther, owner of Maranacook Yarns in Manchester. Surrounded by a most intriguing array of colorful yarns, accessories and finished samples of knit and felt goods, Gari, who started knitting as a child, works in a world she loves in two ways. First, Maranacook Yarns, which opened in the fall of 2004, is a home business that allows this former nurse to be an involved Mom to her two children, ten and thirteen. And, it fulfills the goal of being a local source of quality yarns for people either learning to knit or crochet or looking to tackle more complicated projects. For learners, Gari holds free weekly classes during the non-summer season which she teaches, and provides sessions at a nominal fee when outside instructors are needed. She also has started a Central Maine Chapter of "Chemocaps," in which 102 volunteers knit or crochet comfortable caps for people receiving chemotherapy. As of the end of May, 1,701 Chemo Caps have been distributed through Maranacook Yarns to fourteen hospitals, the Jason Program, Head to Toes in Winthrop, and individuals who come to the shop for them. A plus to the Chemo Cap program is its good use of leftover yarns. 
Although the Maranacook Yarns shop is compact, 16x20 feet, its inventory is extensive. Currently twenty brands occupy the shelf-lined walls; a fifth are from Maine. Gari buys locally whenever she can, featuring reasonably priced Maine-produced yarns. The largest source of imports is Germany and Austria. Under most circumstances, the store will also special order. As the summer of 2006 gets under way, Maranacook Yarns is ready. "I wasn't anticipating the amount of visitors who would find me," says Gari of her first year last summer. "A lot of people were just out driving." 
It's a beautiful drive! Maranacook Yarns is located at 138 South Road, off Route 17 in Readfield. Hours from June 1 through Labor Day are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 2-6 pm and by appointment. For more information, visit www.myarns.com or call 685-9704. | ||