Got stress? Consider giving pro-knitter Danielle Romanetti a call. Owner of fibre space, a yarn store and community space located in Old Town, Danielle initially learned to knit as a child from her grandmother. She rediscovered the medium in graduate school as a form of coping with anxiety and panic attacks. From there, the craft developed into a full-fledged business.
“When I moved to D.C., I would go to these community spaces to hang out and meet other knitters, but eventually started teaching knitting for one of the shops. It kind of morphed into something much bigger than I could do on the side,” says Danielle. Initially working in fundraising for non-profits, she eventually made the switch to full-time brick-and-mortar entrepreneurship. She continues her work with non-profits, including Project Knitwell and Friends of Guest House, through sponsorships and knitting therapy programs.
'...knitting and crocheting can lower your blood pressure and heart rate and reduce anxiety.'
Danielle has made a mission of advocating for Alexandria businesses even before the pandemic. She has served on numerous committees including the Waterfront Commission, Ad Hoc Committee on A Frame Signs, Old Town Parking Study Workgroup and Government Relations Committee of Chamber of Commerce as well as serving on the boards of Old Town Business, Del Ray Business Association and Old Town Boutique District (former President). Through these and others Danielle has helped retail and restaurants achieve their joint goals with extending parking meter hours at a decreased rate, business signage, tax issues and more. She has spearheaded the creation of Plaid Friday, a shop local version of Black Friday. If you love Instagrammable murals, fibre space was one of the first in Alexandria to have two installed, leading the way for beautiful wall art across the city. fibre space was also voted ‘Business of the Year’ by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, and Danielle was named one of the Chamber’s 40 under 40.
She lives in Old Town with her boyfriend, daughter, and Italian Greyhound rescues Remi and Riley.
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