Sew-Low Discount Fabrics, 473 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02141, US

Located on a quiet residential street, Knits and Pieces has been holding classes and teaching knitting successfully for 17 years. Owner Irina Taytslin has been working with groups and individuals six days a week and has no plans to stop. The walls of the cozy shop are lined with scores of colorful skeins of wool and synthetic yarn. With a watchful eye and ready advice, Irina sits at the head of a table in the middle of the room amid a gang of avid knitters who are working on custom designs. Her slogan is "handmade, not homemade" and class members enthusiastically promote both Irina and her methods.