by Mary Knippel

Ann Gevas of Fengari.

The Coastside has many characters who can spin colorful yarns, but if the conversation includes casting with purling and the location is Fengari Fiber Arts, the only sea creatures you’ll find will be the seaweed woven into an exotic fiber. “Kim thinks, and I agree, that knitting is grounding in these uncertain times,” said Ann Gevas, who co-owns Fengari along with her granddaughter Kim McFall. “And, also, the Hollywood girls started doing it, so that makes it fashionable.”

With celebrities such as Cameron Diaz and Hilary Swank doing it, knitting does seem to be back in vogue. The culture is steadily sprouting new knitters; a 2004 survey by the Craft Yarn Council reported that the number of women ages 25 to 34 who knit or crochet increased more than 150 percent since 2002.

“I think every human being wants to make things,” Gevas said. “It’s a very good thing for the human spirit to make something with your hands.   I learned to sew as a little girl and I learned to crochet. I’ve always liked making things. Combining that knowledge with these glorious yarns … gives you a whole new medium to work in. It’s beautiful and satisfying.”

Gevas received an art degree from Hunter College in New York, which is where she met her husband. They moved to the Coastside 25 years ago and bought the Main Street Grill. Gevas’ husband, who is of Greek heritage, is credited with naming the store Fengari, which means moon. The name seems fitting for a shop located on Half Moon Bay’s Main Street.

The shop carries yarns in a multitude of colors, textures and price points. Choose from hand-dyed yarns; from   synthetic, wool, cotton, and cashmere yarns; from sparkly glitz and durable sport yarns. Check out the eco-friendly yarns made from bamboo, kelp or seaweed, and the novelty yarn as well.

The women both relish designing patterns for the store and there are many kits available. The shop also has an extensive inventory of patterns, books and magazines about fiber arts.

Fengari also offers a variety of classes taught by accomplished teachers. “I want people to really be happy with what they make and to succeed,” Gevas said. “One of my greatest pleasures is when customers bring in a project to show me what they’ve done, when the thing is ready for buttons. I’m delighted to see it and we have an incredible assortment of buttons to choose from.”

The challenge of learning to do the dance of needles and yarn, and the sense of accomplishment that follows, is something those of almost any age (and any gender) may experience. For more information about Fengari Fiber Arts, visit the store on the Web at www.fengari.net.