SCORE guides knitting enthusiast in opening Lansdale shop

Cynthia Hermann grew up drawn to teaching but spent the bulk of her working years in retail.

In March she melded her two loves with the opening of The Longest Yarn at 325 Madison St., Suite F1000, a Lansdale knitting and crocheting hub where crafters can not only buy supplies, but participate in a variety of classes and pop-up sessions. Hermann will hold a grand opening on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring a ribbon cutting, door prizes, food and beverages, as well as free patterns while supplies last.

“I’m basically self-taught with knitting. My specialty being traditional lace work,” she said. “I grew up crocheting lace doilies and always loved the intricacy of lace work. It’s very architectural, very formulaic — and that structure really appeals to the logical, methodical way I approach things.”

A former dance teacher, Hermann, of Montgomeryville, was introduced to yarn at an early age. She formally took up knitting in 2008 after college and began teaching classes in 2012 while working at A.C. Moore. At about the same time, she was showcasing her work in art shows in Lansdale and North Wales.

“I had a wonderful patron and her support allowed me to enroll in an entrepreneur certification course at Montco,” Hermann said, recalling she thought at the time, “Maybe I do want to own a store.”

A decade before opening The Longest Yarn, she sought guidance from SCORE volunteer mentors, who suggested she work in a local yarn store before making the leap to business ownership. She spent the next nine years learning all she could while working and teaching at two yarn stores.

    (Credit: Katalinas Communications)
  

    (Credit: Katalinas Communications)
  

In 2024, she began working with SCORE Bucks County mentor Steve Wolfson, who helped her formalize a business plan. He cited her “business savvy, industry knowledge and work ethic” as keys to her continued success.

“The need for a yarn store in this area is large and it proved itself with great initial results,” he said. “Her product selection from the right suppliers and her pricing strategy, plus the way the store is set up for yarn training classes and customer service will prove to be a profitable success in years to come.”

Hermann credits her mentor with keeping her accountable, in addition to helping her complete and refine her business plan.

“My store wouldn’t be open if Steve wasn’t there to keep me on track,” she said. “He made sure I stayed accountable and had something done every two weeks.”

Her determination paid off with the March 13 opening – after only getting into her space on March 1. Hermann timed the store’s opening to coincide with the Greater Philly Yarn Crawl, which drew hundreds of customers to her shop for opening weekend.

“That helped get my name out there,” she said of the event, which had more than 2,000 people registered. “It was a great weekend, and people seemed genuinely excited to have a yarn store in the area.”

Looking ahead, Hermann plans to offer classes on how to use ravelry, sock-making, intro to cables, pattern alterations for handmade sweaters, intro to granny squares, as well as an upcoming stash buster knit-a-long.

“People end up accumulating a lot of yarn because you always have leftovers,” she said. “Bring in your stash! We’re going to sort through it, get it organized, and turn those odds and ends into a beautiful shawl or wrap.”

Beginning May 2, The Longest Yarn will be participating in Lansdale’s First Friday event. Dubbed UFO Sightings (for Unfinished Objects), Hermann encourages yarn enthusiasts to bring along those projects that have been sitting “neglected and unfinished” to the monthly events.

“You’ll be in good company for moral support to get it worked on or ripped out,” she said. “Bring a chair and if it’s nice enough we’ll have the doors open.”

About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE provides small business mentoring and workshops to more than 375,000 new and growing small businesses. With more than 70 members across Bucks and Eastern Montgomery counties, SCORE Bucks County provides free mentoring services annually to local small business owners through one-on-one counseling and small business seminars. Learn more at www.score.org/buckscounty.