A National Film Board of Canada Production

Winters in the sparsely populated Yukon are long, cold and dark—a natural recipe for isolation. For newcomers like Alexandra Knowles, it can be hard to find friends. But anywhere there is a yarn store, there are knitters. And where there are knitters, there is a knitting circle, weaving together a circle of care, one stitch at a time—and reminding us of the simple ways that community is built on presence, storytelling and shared purpose.

Inside a knitting store during a Whitehorse winter, community grows like a sweater from a skein of yarn—through single stitches that gather and grow into something strong and warm.

What first drew you to the knitting store when you first moved to Whitehorse? 

Having moved around a lot on my own, I’d learned that yarn stores are a safe and welcoming place to visit when you’re new in town.

What inspired you to make a film about the knitting circle? 

The knitting circle has been a very meaningful part of my life for many years. It’s a colourful setting and a place of “quiet joy,” though sometimes it’s not so quiet! And I wanted to honour a dear friend, Sue Starr, who invited me to her knitting circle and showed me how open and welcoming a community can be.

Did you discover anything new about your knitting circle or the people in it making this film? 

Yes, I discovered that their yarn stashes are much bigger than mine!

How does knitting together help develop community differently than other kinds of socializing? 

Knitting gives you something to do with your hands and eyes. It can be easier to communicate while looking at something else and having a tactile sensation in your hands while in a group. And you have progress to show for your time together!

What’s your next project? Knitting and/or film? 

My next knitting project is a Petite Knit Lulu slipover vest with buttons on the side. And I have a longtime dream of making a documentary about muskox and the qiviut yarn that’s made from their underfur.