Today we’d like to introduce you to Gianna Gaizi.
Gianna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Gianna, and I am the owner of Little Red Knits. My journey into fiber arts began in 2012, when my grandmother taught me how to knit. I was instantly hooked and began selling my handmade creations to friends and family, as well as at local craft shows. A few years later, I taught myself how to crochet, expanding both my skills and the products I was able to offer.
For five years, I balanced Little Red Knits with a full-time job while continuing to sell my work at craft shows during the winter months. In November 2019, I took the leap and made Little Red Knits my full-time career. Along the way, I also had the opportunity to design patterns for Lion Brand Yarn, further growing my experience and passion within the fiber arts industry.
Despite the uncertainty brought on by COVID, I was fortunate to secure a seasonal space at the Rust Belt Market, a local artisan marketplace. This allowed me to sell my work more consistently in the community. I remained there seasonally for three years, and in April 2023, I took another exciting step forward by becoming a full-time vendor.
Today, Little Red Knits offers a variety of handmade items, including hats, scarves, mittens, shawls, and ponchos, along with a curated selection of hand dyed yarn, tools, and knit and crochet kits. I also offer classes and host a monthly Sip & Stitch, a free community gathering where people can come together to enjoy their crafts and connect with others.
The past 14 years have been an incredible journey filled with growth, challenges, and countless rewarding experiences. I am incredibly grateful for how far I have come, both as a maker and as a small business owner. Having a permanent storefront has allowed me to build a community around something I truly love while also creating a healthier work-life balance. I feel incredibly fortunate to make a living doing what I love and to continue growing Little Red Knits into something I can be proud of.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Owning a business and being your own boss comes with many rewards, but it also requires dedication, flexibility, and a significant amount of behind-the-scenes work. While my store is open only on weekends, that schedule requires many sacrifices as well as long hours during the holidays. I am incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful and dependable team of employees, which allows me to take time off when needed and maintain a healthier balance throughout the year.
As a business owner, I am constantly looking for new trends, ideas, and opportunities to keep my products fresh and give customers a reason to return. I am always thinking about ways to improve my business, whether that involves introducing new products, creating unique experiences for customers, or finding ways to better serve my community.
One aspect of my business that I take particular pride in is that I personally handcraft the majority of the wearable items sold in my store. My employees are also talented knitters and crocheters, and during the busiest times of the year, they occasionally help by creating samples or additional pieces. However, the vast majority of the handmade items are made by me. This means I am creating winter accessories throughout the entire year to ensure I have enough inventory for the busy holiday season.
Planning ahead is also an essential part of running my business. I carefully monitor my inventory and place large, bulk orders for yarn and other materials to ensure I have the supplies and products needed throughout the year. Although my storefront is open only three days a week, I spend the rest of my time working behind the scenes—from creating products and managing inventory to ordering supplies, planning classes and events, handling administrative responsibilities, and finding new ways to grow the business.
Being a small business owner means wearing many different hats, but I genuinely love the variety and challenges that come with it. I am proud of the business I have built, grateful for the people who help make it possible, and would not trade this experience for anything.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Hi, I’m Gianna, also known as “Little Red”! I am a knitter and crocheter, although the majority of my finished handmade pieces are crocheted. My favorite items to create are hats, particularly chunky, slouchy beanies finished with oversized, fluffy pom-poms. My original crochet hats have been my best-selling products year after year and have become a signature item of Little Red Knits. I also enjoy creating scarves, shawls, ponchos, & other accessories, and I offer a wide variety of colors and sizes to ensure there is something for everyone. You will rarely find me without yarn in my hands!
In addition to my handmade products, I offer knitting and crochet classes and host a monthly Sip & Stitch, a free community gathering where people can come together to work on their projects and connect with fellow makers. These events have grown in popularity over the past two years and have played an important role in helping Little Red Knits establish a strong presence within the community.
In addition to owning a store and being an entrepreneur, one of my proudest professional accomplishments was the opportunity to work with Lion Brand Yarn, creating patterns for their blogger series. This came shortly after I made Little Red Knits my full-time career, and it was a major milestone for me. I learned to knit using Lion Brand yarn, and knowing that I was now creating designs for one of the most recognizable yarn companies in the industry was an incredibly meaningful moment. It made me feel like I had truly established myself within the fiber arts community.
What sets Little Red Knits apart is the personal connection behind everything I create. The majority of my handmade pieces are made by me, with a great deal of time, care, and attention to detail. I am passionate not only about creating beautiful, high-quality handmade items, but also about sharing my love of knitting and crochet with others and creating a welcoming community around the craft.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next five to ten years, I see continued growth in the popularity of knitting and crochet, particularly as more people look for creative, hands-on hobbies and opportunities to connect with others through crafting. I believe there will also be an increased interest in learning traditional fiber arts, which is one of the reasons I am excited to continue expanding the educational side of Little Red Knits.
Last year, I began offering crochet classes, and I am excited to announce that we will be introducing knitting classes this fall as well. We have also expanded our knit and crochet kits to accommodate a wider range of skill levels, including more advanced patterns for experienced makers who are looking for a new challenge.
Looking further ahead, one of my biggest dreams would be to open a brick-and-mortar storefront of my own. I feel that I have built a strong presence within the community over the past decade, and I am excited about the possibilities that the future may bring. For now, I am incredibly grateful to have a home at the Rust Belt Market and to continue growing Little Red Knits from there. I have learned that you never know what opportunities may be just around the corner, and I am excited to see where the next five to ten years take me and my business.
Pricing:
- Classes: $60-70
- Hats: $25-$55
- Scarves: $60+
- Kits: $25-$45
- Yarn: $8-$35
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.littleredknits.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleredknits/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleRedKnits12
