Candice DeWitt finds the right creative hook for downtown small businesses

He likes work – and people.

“As a child, I was definitely drawn to more creative pursuits,” Candice DeWitt said. “I was always digging into my mom’s sewing box to steal fabric for random projects or to find a new art project to get into. As I got older, the creative stuff moved more to computers because I wanted to learn how to build websites instead of being stuck with templates.

“I absolutely dreamed of being my own boss and running my own business,” she added. “I fully intended, as a teenager, to run my own marketing company, helping others market their businesses. We didn’t plan for it to be in a niche market like a yarn store.”

Today, DeWitt owns and operates Stitch & Skein, an independent yarn store “with a focus on community.”

“I’ve always been interested in textile projects like quilting, embroidery, crochet and the like,” she said. “I think my interest in yarn took off when my family was out shopping one summer morning and I saw someone crocheting a teddy bear. I was instantly fascinated by how he used this little metal hook and some yarn to make this three-dimensional stuffed animal. The next thing I knew she gave me a hook and some scrap yarn and taught me how to chain and single crochet.

The knitting kit and some really bad yarn lead to a new career

Fast forward to 2007, when DeWitt said he felt the need for something different and more productive “than all the reading I was doing in my spare time.” She ended up getting a learn-to-knit kit and some “absolutely terrible yarn for beginners to learn”.

With a lot of trial and error as she taught herself the craft, she gave it up in less than a week and became “absolutely hooked from there on out.”

DeWitt grew up in Marion, graduated from Pleasant High School in 2002, then earned a degree in business administration from Marion Technical College. She has been marketing and designing professional and freelance websites since the age of 16. And he spent 16 years working in the county administration.

Then came Stitch & Skein.

Dreaming of a yarn shop “years ago”

“My husband and I bounced the idea of ​​a yarn shop back and forth for a few years, mostly just dreaming,” she said. “It wasn’t that bad. I thought opening a yarn store would be for my retirement years down the road.

“In October 2020,” she said, “my husband noticed that a downtown storefront would be available for rent. Next thing I knew, I was giving a tour of the building and the discussions went from “one day” to “how can we make this work now?” Stitch & Skein officially opened on February 13, 2021.”

Louise Chell is a friend and a client.

“Candice has provided a showcase for fiber art and a place that encourages community building,” said Chell. “I connected with people through classes, open sewing and just going into the store for advice.”

“I think what keeps me coming every day is the community that has formed around it,” DeWitt said. “There are hours of laughter at the weekly open sewing sessions and one-on-one interactions as we help customers with pattern instructions or fix mistakes. I’m so happy to see the store full of creators of all backgrounds coming together and having the privilege of being that space for the community.”

Stitch & Skein is located at 144 W. Center St. in Marion. For more information, visit stitchandskein.com.

Aces of Trades is a weekly series that focuses on people and their jobs – whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs, or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on the Marion Star: Candice DeWitt turns garage sale find into Marion business