Salem’s The Knittin’ Coop is a Destination for Local Knitters

When she opened her Salem yarn shop, The Knittin’ Coop, owner Robin Ferguson wanted to create a place that feels like home to her customers. It’s not a stretch for this longtime knitter, who worked in the city’s sole yarn shop 40 years ago. “My Granny taught me at a young age the love of handwork, and by sharing the knowledge of the handwork, she taught me her memory, as well as the craft, stays alive,” Ferguson says. Drawing inspiration from yarn shops that she’s visited around the country, Ferguson has stocked The Knittin’ Coop with unique fiber and yarn with a focus on Virginia farms and indie dyers. The shop also hosts regular events for local knitters along with community service projects like Project Legacy, which donates handmade shawls and comfort cloths to patients in palliative care. TheKnittinCoop.com

This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2025 issue.