Those who walk into the Knitting Arts store at 14554 Big Basin Way are greeted by modern, cheerful décor, including comfortable couches, clothing displays, and tables and cubbyholes piled high with yarn of every color you can imagine. Visitors who walk farther into the store are likely to see a long table where customers often gather for what staff members call "social knitting" or to take a class on a new technique or how to knit something specific.

Jan Hurwitz is the owner of Knitting Arts, which celebrated one year of being in business in September.

"I've been a knitter for about 10 to 12 years. I had a career in the high-tech software industry for 25 years before this. Then, knitting was always my therapy. I would even take it with me on business trips," she recalls. She says she started knitting with women at work and joined different women's knitting groups. "I actually taught myself from a book, just the basics. Then I learned more techniques from other women."

Hurwitz retired from the software industry around three years ago to spend more time with her son, who is 8 years old. She says she then started working part time at a knitting store called Braid Box, which was in business on Big Basin Way for 35 years.

"I worked there part time and learned the retail side of the business." She says that Pat Ferguson, who was the owner for all 35 years, retired in June of last year, so Hurwitz decided to buy the store from her. She then moved it to a bigger space on Big Basin Way and changed the name to Knitting Arts. The rest is history.

Since then, Hurwitz and her staff of around 29 employees have worked to change the face of knitting. Not only does the store carry a variety of supplies and yarn from all over the world, which Hurwitz says is of the finest quality around, but they provide a series of more than 35 different knitting classes per week, "social knitting" gatherings, and their staff of Knitting Doctors.

Classes cover a range of topics. Some cover basic techniques such as borders and edgings, and some teach how to knit specific things such as crochet pillows, sweaters, shawls, socks, handbags, scarves and even hackysacks. Hurwitz says that Pat Ferguson still comes back to teach Beginning Knitting.

Knitting Arts also provides special classes for the employees.

"We have continuing education here all the time so we know how to do everything and can help the customers with whatever they want to know," says Leigh McRee, the general manager.

Hurwitz says "social knitting" is one of the best parts of the hobby—when a group of knitters get together to knit, share techniques and ideas, and socialize.

"It's a chance to meet other knitters and knit together. People enjoy each other's company," says Hurwitz. She explains that social knitting has long been a tradition among knitters. "Knitting is often passed down, from woman to woman, through the generations. People often get together like this at someone's home, but we like to keep the shop open for them, so they have a well-lit place with plenty of supplies." Social Knitting gatherings are held at the store every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Knitting Doctors are a unique touch for the store. If customers are having a particularly challenging time with one aspect of an item they are knitting, they can make an appointment with a Knitting Doctor, for no charge. The Knitting Doctor can then help them through the difficult step and give them pointers.

The first year of business has been very successful for Knitting Arts, Hurwitz says.

"It's been a great year. We've had great word of mouth. Knitters tell their friends, bring their friends. We've been very successful and have been well supported by our customers," she says. In fact, word of the store has spread so widely, Hurwitz says customers come from all over just to visit her store, including people from San Francisco, the East Bay, Sacramento and Modesto.

"We just had 40 women on a bus come for a field trip from Modesto," says Hurwitz.

Hurwitz says they also try and keep the store open in the evenings on weekdays for knitters who like to stop by after work. The store is open until 7 p.m. on Mondays, 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 6 p.m. on Fridays. They are also open on Saturdays until 6 p.m. and Sundays until 5 p.m.

Employees at Knitting Arts appear very happy with their jobs. In fact, some like it so much, that they take time out of their careers just to work there part time. McRee says many of their employees also have high-powered jobs, such as one staff member who is a human-resources representative at a big company, another who is a director of physical therapy at a hospital, and two who are interns from the fashion design studies program at De Anza College.

"They work here because they so enjoy the craft. It's such an artistic community," says McRee. She says she enjoys working at Knitting Arts because of the people who come in. "The people, the artistic creativity that's around. There's a lot of creative people that come in."

Knitting Doctor Maggie Wagnon says she also likes working at Knitting Arts because of the customers.

"I like the people. They're interesting, enthusiastic. They're eager to learn. You really do have the feeling you've helped people," she says.

Hurwitz loves the variety that comes with running Knitting Arts, and figuring out how to inspire people.

"Every day is different. I like being able to provide a creative, welcoming environment for knitters. I'm always trying to come up with new and different ways to inspire women to create that new project," she says. She adds that the response from customers is rewarding.

"There's this one customer that always comes in and says, 'It's always a party in here!' "

Knitting Arts is located at 14554 Big Basin Way. Call the store at 408.867.5010 or visit www.goknit.com for more information, including a complete schedule of classes.