Arlington yarn store a tight-knit business

Chris Krauss remembers as a little girl sitting next to her grandmother learning to knit. Each of them would take turns knitting a row.

Krauss has been knitting ever since and is now opening her own shop in downtown Arlington Heights.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Yarns, at 218 W. Campbell St., offers an array of yarns, books and knitting classes. "It's a nice place to come and knit," the business owner said.

Krauss, a resident of Northbrook, says her grandmother used to call yarn "fuzzy wuzzy." The two of them would recite a poem using the fun words and a teddy bear. "My logo now has a teddy bear," Krauss added.

The shop features yarns from six major manufacturers as well as a few smaller companies. Berroco, Classic Elite, Cascade, Trend Setter, Rowan Nashua and Tahki Stacy Charles are included in the selection at the quaint shop.

"I offer fine yarns," Krauss said, adding that her merchandise is different from what shoppers would find at the big box craft stores.

Before launching Fuzzy Wuzzy Yarns, Krauss worked in her family's metal stamping company for 30 years until it recently closed. As the family discussed selling the business during the past couple of years, the idea for the knitting business originated, Krauss said. "This has been in the back of my mind for some time," she said.

The continued popularity of knitting at all age groups further prompted her to launch the business. A group of high school girls recently requested to have a "knit night" at the new business, she added.

After the holidays, Krauss said she is expanding her selection of classes. Beginning, refresher and advanced sessions are planned in addition to crochet sessions.

The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 Saturday.

For more, check out fuzzywuzzyyarns.com.

Kim Mikus covers small business and retail. She welcomes comments at (847) 427-4567 or kmikus@dailyherald.com.