Moki Stitches Launches in West Duluth, Blending Art and Community

Moki Stitches, a new arts and crafts store, has officially opened its doors in West Duluth at 217 59th Ave. W.. The store, which launched in early November 2023, is the brainchild of owner Brenna del Junco, who drew inspiration from her childhood nickname, “Moki,” and her passion for video games.

Del Junco, 32, has intertwined her love for gaming and knitting in her business. Her recent enthusiasm for Galaga and fond memories of playing Mario Kart have shaped the unique atmosphere of Moki Stitches. “I wanted to infuse the business with my personality a little bit,” del Junco explained, emphasizing the personal touch throughout her offerings.

Unique Offerings and Community Focus

Specializing in regional yarns and natural fibers, Moki Stitches provides customers with a variety of unique products. Del Junco highlighted a vibrant Stardew Valley-themed yarn sourced from Nerdy Knits, which is made from 100% Merino wool that has been hand-dyed just outside the Twin Cities. “All of her colors are inspired by video games, which was so my jam,” she said.

The store also features hand-dyed yarn from Kimber’s Cozy Creations of Iron River, Wisconsin, and Icelandic sheep wool from Golden Hour Acres Farm in Carlton. Del Junco prioritizes partnerships with local suppliers, stating, “It bolsters the community. It’s really important to support smaller artists.” Her vision is to create a thriving community that supports local artisans.

Del Junco believes that the tactile experience of visiting a brick-and-mortar store is essential for customers. “If you go into a store, the staff are knowledgeable about what they carry, and they’re able to help you fine-tune your search,” she noted. This personalized interaction helps customers find the perfect yarn for their projects.

Building a Welcoming Crafting Community

Beyond selling yarn, Moki Stitches aims to foster a welcoming environment for crafters of all ages and skill levels. Del Junco designed the layout of the store to resemble a cozy living room, encouraging customers to relax and spend time in the space. “People have been hanging out, which I love,” she added.

The store plans to host a range of workshops, classes, and social gatherings. Upcoming events include queer stitch nights, weekly all-social nights for various crafting mediums, and multi-generational gatherings. Moki Stitches operates within the What We Saw Collaborative building, which houses other women-owned businesses, including Michaela Rai’s photography studio.

Del Junco hopes to attract neighbors for the two vacant rooms available for lease, aiming for complementary businesses that enhance the community spirit.

Before establishing Moki Stitches, del Junco was a part-owner of Yarns Untangled in Toronto, Ontario, for four years. After selling her shares, she moved to Duluth to be closer to family and worked at Yarn Harbor in Lakeside. “The knitting community here is really active. I’m kind of surprised that there are only two stores,” she remarked, reflecting on Minnesota’s rich heritage in knitting and crochet.

The local knitting culture is influenced by European immigrants, with Scandinavian styles prominently featured in Duluth. This differs from the Japanese-inspired styles of Toronto, where del Junco spent much of her life.

Del Junco has been passionate about crafting since childhood. Her early project involved creating dolls of the first 150 Pokémon, a task she later deemed ambitious, as she only completed 50. “That taught me how to do design work, make irregular shapes, and work with multiple colors,” she said.

Among her favorite projects are sweaters, and many of her patterns are available on Ravelry.com. While she currently focuses on personal projects for herself and her loved ones, she acknowledges the challenges of commission work. “People generally are not willing to pay for anything unless it’s knit with really thick yarn,” del Junco explained.

Her journey into the world of knitting began with volunteering at the now-closed Purple Purl, where she gained invaluable knowledge. “They were really instrumental in teaching me how to read patterns,” she noted, expressing gratitude to her mentors, Miko Schechter and Jennifer Campbell, who owned the store at the time.

At just 18 years old, del Junco became the manager of Lettuce Knit in Toronto, a position she describes as a bold move given her limited experience. “If she had not trusted me, I would not be where I am today,” she reflected.

Del Junco’s portfolio includes notable projects, such as creating a sweater for a Tim Horton’s food truck and the famous Gay Hair Sweater, which was worn by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The sweater is now part of the collection at the Museum of Human History in Ottawa.

With the opening of Moki Stitches, del Junco is poised to make a significant impact on the local crafting community, blending her passions and expertise into a space that welcomes all. As she continues to inspire creativity and connection, Moki Stitches is positioned to become a cherished hub for crafters in Duluth.