Danielle Romanetti still has the scarf she made for one of her Cabbage Patch dolls when she began knitting, at the age of seven. Quite an accomplishment, but the hobby was abandoned and Danielle didn't return to knitting until graduate school - as a means to combat stress.

In 2006, while working a full time non-profit job, Danielle started Knit-a-Gogo and began teaching knitting and crochet classes in the Washington area. It was a huge success and Danielle soon recognized that the knitting community was growing and desired more from her than instruction. They needed supplies as well. That same year Danielle began working on a business plan and developed an idea and an approach that would eventually become Fibre Space. The store opened its doors in 2009.

Located at 102 North Fayette Street in Old Town, the store is a knitter's dream! Imagine yarn in every color, fiber content and weight as well as patterns, books, needles and silk ribbon. It's a great place to head for a new project. The store has a cozy, modern and funky vibe, and offers great light during the day. In the corner of the shop is the Rocket Lounge - a perfect place to hang out, knit and meet fellow members of the community. It also offers a Ravelry work station.

According to Danielle, most of her customers are women but she has several loyal male knitters who meet on the 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of every month from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. She even has a few husband and wife customers who shop together. The majority of her customers are busy professionals looking for an outlet to relieve stress and have a need to feel productive. Some have even managed to lose weight or quit smoking since taking up the hobby. Danielle believes that the hobby offers a "back to basics feeling" that is seeing a resurgence.

Classes range by skill level. For beginners, Danielle suggests coming to one of the free "Stitch In Space" nights, offered on the third Thursday of each month from from 5 p.m. to  9 p.m. A staff member is available to answer any questions or offer advice. For individuals working on holiday projects, Fibre Space offers a class called "Holiday Lock In" on December 17, which will provide expert tips on how to get those last minute details finished, and offer ideas for easy projects that create great seasonal gifts. The web site offers a clear and easy way to search and sign up for classes. 

To crown a very successful year, Fiber Space recently celebrated winning the 2010 Business of the Year Award, selected and presented by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. When asked why they chose Fibre Space, chamber President and CEO Tina Leone, said, "Fibre Space won the award for Alexandria Business of the Year because Danielle and her business have had major impact on middle King Street in Old Town by creating such a buzz about a product that most of us might not think of as a profitable venture - Yarn! Through her brilliant marketing efforts, she brings people from far and wide into our city not only to the benefit of her business – which is now a knitting empire - but also to those businesses around her."

Danielle has knit herself a cozy place in the Old Town community, making an effort to reach out to small business owners in the area, frequenting local restaurants and calling upon small businesses to cater events.