In a bright, colorful yarn shop in Bushwick, a crowd of young Brooklynites gather with yarn and needles to discuss their favorite TikTok trends, restaurants, roommates and movies. Though a stereotypically “grandma” hobby, more Gen-Zers and millennials are knitting, crocheting and crafting. 

“I think a lot of younger people shop at this store, as opposed to the older ones. A lot of them are making really cool, fun stuff,” said Cleo Malone, the owner of Cleo’s Yarn Shop. “They want to make a piece that people can tell is handmade. A lot of older knitters will go for very sleek designs, more high fashion or minimalist. But here, it’s a lot of bright colors, lots of neons, lots of pink and yellow. That’s what I’m like, and I love that kind of energy.”

Malone opened Cleo’s Yarn Shop in 2022 after building a successful yarn business with their mother in Santa Rosa, California. Cleo’s was originally located in a warehouse in East Williamsburg, about a 15-minute walk from the Montrose Ave. subway station. In July, Cleo’s reopened in Bushwick on Varet St., complete with a full cafe serving coffee, tea and pastries in vintage dishes. 

“There’s so much more foot traffic in this neighborhood, which is really nice. We’re getting to know a lot of the neighbors, and people are really kind and engaged in the neighborhood over here,” said Malone. “People still considered us Bushwick over there. It’s kind of an edgy warehouse neighborhood, so I feel like we’ve always been in Bushwick. Now, we’re just more in Bushwick. That definitely has led me to purchase different types of yarn and keep different yarn in stock. I’m a bright-color person; that’s why I painted everything in bright colors. I love that, and I think that that’s definitely incorporated itself.”

The new iteration of Cleo’s offers a variety of yarn and fiber art materials, and it hosts events to bring crafters together. Some of the events are niche like the Queer Knitting Club and Marxist Knitting Club, whereas others are general happy hours and craft circles.

“The fun energy is very much because of the customers here and what they’re making, all the yarns they choose. I didn’t know to the extent that it would be a community space, but I think that this rise in people wanting third spaces really led to it,” Malone said. “I asked people, when they first started shopping in my store, what they wanted to see more of, and most of them said craft circles. They wanted community space. They wanted to come and meet people that had similar hobbies to them.”

The shop organizes classes and workshops where makers of all levels can explore the textile arts. From beginner knitting, crochet and weaving classes to project-oriented workshops, Cleo’s gathers seasoned crafters and textile virgins in one space. For those who need more help, Cleo’s offers private lessons and open studio time.

“I found Cleo’s through Google. I was looking for a local yarn store and they had just opened a month before,” said Lexi Clark, a knitter and long-time Cleo’s patron. “The website said ‘your queer yarn store in Brooklyn.’ I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t need to know any more.’ I started doing it and then just loved it.”

Cleo’s last Saturday Morning Craft Circle was held Saturday, Aug. 3, in the new shop. Around 10 people attended and brought projects while making new friends or catching up with old ones. The theme was “summer tops.”

“I met Cleo at a craft circle two years ago. They were sitting next to me, and they were like, ‘I just opened my own yarn shop,’ and I was like, ‘Say less,’” said Bonnie Rockitt, a knitter and loyal Cleo’s patron. “Then I got on a knitting kick. I have been knitting every other day, if not more, for the last two years, even though I’ve known how forever. It’s really allowed me to get more into it. I’ve gotten a lot better at it, which has been amazing. I’ve met so many people and made new friends, which is really hard to do as an adult.”

Annika Petersen is a crocheter who visited Cleo’s for the first time to meet people and revive an old hobby. 

“My first Cleo’s experience was wonderful! I will absolutely go back,” Petersen said. “It helped me reconnect to hobbies and meet people who were kind, talented and fun to talk to. It is a beautiful shop and community.”

Cleo’s has become a community hub for knitters, crocheters, weavers and more in the past two years. Patrons flock to Cleo’s from all the boroughs, and the store also sells products online. Malone also publishes patterns and sells their creations. Despite its far reach, Cleo’s remains true to its neighborhood and in-person community. 

“I realized that in the last store, even though we had the table, it didn’t really feel like a place that people could come and hang out in because they felt like they needed to buy yarn every time or buy something every time,” said Malone. “Now, people can come, get a drink and sit for a while. I wanted to make the barrier of entry easier for people to come, hang out and feel comfortable hanging out in the space and talking to other people.”

Cleo’s new storefront has an outdoor patio with twinkle lights and multicolored chairs and tables. Inside, there’s a section of large couches and coffee tables on one side of the shop and large tables, chairs and mirrors on the other side. There’s several shelves of yarn and notions for sale. 

“We have so many more new fun things planned,” said Malone. “I’m really excited to get a projector and have movie nights here. That’s hopefully going to start in the fall or winter. We’re always doing new fun stuff over here, so if people are interested in stopping by, just know that they’re not going to miss anything. At whatever point, there’s going to be something going on for them to come to.”

Upcoming events at the spacious new shop include a group bus trip to Rhinebeck, New York, for the NY Sheep and Wool Festival, Brat Summer Happy Hour and a lingerie make-along.

 “I’m excited to be here for a very long time,” said Malone.