Baaad Anna’s has been shaking up Vancouver’s knitting scene up since 2011. Originally opened by its name sake: Anna of Longway Homestead, the shop was taken over by Paula in the mid-2010s. Baaad Anna’s has long strived to fill the gaps left by traditional yarn stores, creating a space for the community-minded and renegade knitters. Whether you’re looking for local handdyed, high quality, luxury, budget-friendly, machine-washable or environmentally friendly yarn, Baaad Anna’s has something for you.

Store Address:

2667 E Hastings St E, Vancouver, BC V5K 1Z5

Phone:
(604) 255-2577

Email:
baaad.annas@gmail.com

 

OUR TEAM

Paula Lindner – owner

‘You’re amongst friends!’ has always been the aim of my yarny community hub. Paula has been at the helm of Baaad Anna’s since 2015 and with a background in community development took Anna’s vision of a yarn-store-for-all to new heights. Investing in a group of talented colleagues, Paula creates a space where people come together and learn from each other, building a community while crafting, creating and conspiring!

A renegade knitter who learned by way of a community effort, Paula consistently finds time to create; when not biking to work from the Renfrew Heights neighbourhood just up the street from the store, or coordinating a family of soccer hooligans.

 

When/why did you start crafting?

Although I’ve knit for a few years prior, I really took up knitting seriously only after my first child was born (who is now in her mid-teens!) as a way to clear my head of my to-do lists and other crazy-inducing stressors that come with juggling a career, new family dynamic and the joy of keeping a baby human alive.

What is something you’ve made that you’re the most proud of?

A head-to-toe baby jumper with bear ears and paws that knocked the socks off my other favorite FO (my, at that point, brand new baby!). In fact, I won a ‘viewers choice’ photo contest prize for it at my local yarn store that was still in its first year of existence when it was still owned by Baaad Anna herself!

What’s your go-to coffee or lunch take-out spot when you’re at work?

Sometimes I really enjoy hiding in the back with a 15 minute Netflix break. I truly love being in-store but it is often all-consuming so a bit of introvert-time along with a snack keeps the energy positive!

Talk to me about: (something you consider yourself an expert on/something you like helping customers with)

I enjoy pushing the envelope and helping people expand their horizons. Be it making their handknits stand out, or trying a new fibre content or technique, it’s all worth a try!

What’s your favourite thing about working at BAYS?

Some of the best people I have met in my life walked through the door at Baaad Anna’s. Crafters are good humans, and we always need more of those in the world. I like to think I am doing a good service keeping good humans happy.

What notions are always in your project bag?

Everything and the kitchen sink. There isn’t a tool I don’t love.

 

Sarah (she/her)

Taurus

Sarah discovered knitting in 2004 and has taken up crochet, sewing and cross stitch. She joined the BAYS team in 2015 and has brought home a lot of yarn and occasionally a pay cheque ever since. When not knitting (that was a trick, she’s always knitting) Sarah can be found on a patio at one of our local breweries or playing a board game or both.

 

 

 

Most proud of project:

With ten years at Baaad Anna’s I have made a lot of projects that I love. My favourite for me is my Cropped Swallowtail sweater and my favourite for charity is the Desert Bus 2020 blanket featuring Totoro.

Favourite lunch spot around BAYS:

My go-to lunch spot is Le Pho – their salad rolls are amazing!

What’s in your project bag?

I always carry my Baaad Anna’s notion tin from Firefly notes. It has some scissors, stitch markers, darning needle and needle tightening key.

Check out our full Spotlight on Sarah L. here.

 

Cheryl (she/her)

Virgo

A techie at heart, working at Baaad Anna’s uses my logical and creative brain. I am responsible for getting products onto our online store and making sure your online shopping experience is smooth and pleasant. I love helping you in-store to troubleshoot and find solutions if you get stuck on a project, and once a month, I run a clinic just for that. I knit, crochet, weave, and dabble in wheel spinning and garment sewing.

 

Most proud of project:

My toque, cowl, and mittens set all made from my handspun yarn.

What’s your go-to coffee or lunch take-out spot when you’re at work?

I’m super lazy when it comes to food or drink, but Laughing Bean, Casa Eatalia, and Tall Shadow Bakery keep me alive.

I can help you with:

I’m a jack of all and expert in none? But my IT background just loves to logically and systematically figure things out, troubleshoot, and try to come up with a solution, fix, or workaround.

what’s your favourite thing about working at BAYS?

Inspiration of course, but it sure feels good when I can come up with a solution that fits.

Check out our full Spotlight on Cheryl K. here.

 

Janice’s (She/her)

Libra

Janice strives to make those around her feel warm and safe. She strongly believes knitting and fibre are part of the journey of life, connecting us to one another. Out in the wild, you will find her protesting, hiking, paddling, and chilling with her family and dog.

 

 

When/why did you start crafting?

I started knitting as a child, but I’m not sure exactly when. I was surrounded by women who were knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, dyers, weavers, and sewists. I crocheted as a young traveller and tree planter; I loved the freedom. When my children were babies, knitting really took hold.

Favourite lunch spot around BAYS:

Tall Shadow, it’s my quiet and nourishing sanctuary

What’s your favourite thing about working at BAYS?

I love encouraging customers, and showing patience and kindness is the most important thing for me.

What notions are always in your project bag?

An assortment of markers, CocoKnits Stitch Fixer, scissors, tape measure, darningneedle, a couple of tightening pins, a single TKB Barber cord, and a mini tin of Sunflower Knits Joint Salve

Check out our full Spotlight on Janice here.

 

Jenny (she/her)

Pisces

Jenny joined the Baaadies in 2023, bringing her organizational superpowers to keep the store humming and make her coworkers’ lives easier. She loves to learn and try new things, so when she’s not knitting or re-organizing the furniture, you might find her restoring antique spinning wheels, processing the flax and indigo growing on her balcony, or foraging through forests and thrift stores for materials. 

 

What’s your go-to coffee or lunch take-out spot when you’re at work?

The Laughing Bean – they’re the nicest, and the salted caramel cookies are insane. 

⁠What’s your favourite thing about working at BAYS?

I love seeing all the customer’s excitement about their projects, new things they’re learning, yarns they love. 

⁠What notions are always in your project bag?

Measuring tape, scissors, and tapestry needle. I have so many tiny notions bags with these that migrate from project to project.

Michelle (she/her)

Aries

Michelle came to Vancouver from Ireland and joined the baaadies in 2022. A beginner knitter and crocheter, she also explores weaving, embroidery, felting, and dyeing, always curious to try something new and creative.

If she’s not helping you pair yarns for your next masterpiece, Michelle is probably planning a new project she definitely doesn’t have time for (and will almost certainly not finish). You’ll usually find her behind a camera or curating her Spotify playlist.

When/why did you start crafting?
I started knitting in primary school, but it really took hold when I began studying fibre art and textile design in college. Making things has always been how I unwind, play with colour, and express myself.

What is something you’ve made that you’re the most proud of?

Every year I felt a Christmas decoration for my son, last years was a dog wearing a sweater.

What’s your go-to coffee or lunch take-out spot when you’re at work?
Forecast for a breakfast sandwich during a morning work sesh or a cheeky viet coffee from Le Pho for an afternoon pick me up.

Talk to me about:
Please don’t ask me any hard questions but I’ll talk to you all day about colours, fibres, and why you absolutely do need that skein you’re holding.

What’s your favourite thing about working at BAYS?
The conversations. Our regulars bring so much joy into the store, and I love learning and sharing stories.

 

Bee (They/them)

Cancer

“Spinning a yarn” has two meanings, and this Nova Scotia transplant takes them both very seriously. There isn’t a day I can remember that I haven’t done some knitting, but spinning is my true favourite craft! As a maritimer, I love to chat- I’ll ask what you’re planning on making with that yarn, what your mum’s name is and actually, have you heard of that band?

What’s the thing you’ve made that you’re the most proud of?

The sweater I’m wearing in this photo, actually! It was my first fully handspun sweater, so fun to make!

Go-to coffee/takeout near BAYS:

tall shadow soft pretzel/ anything with their pickles

Talk to me about:

breed-specific fibre, pros and cons of superwash wool vs non-superwash wool, and how to incorporate more colour into your projects!

 

Emily (she/her)

Capricorn

As an island raised crafter, Emily  learned to knit when she was just a wee thing, inspired by her mothers desire to learn, and her grandparents handmade gifts. Over the years she has explored knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, mending, felting, macrame, and more! She is also a theatre performer in Vancouver!

What is something you’ve made that you’re the most proud of?

I am most proud of the fishman’s sweater I made for my father for Christmas a few years ago. It was my first time doing cables and piecing together a sweater, so there was a lot of learning through the project, but it turned out so well! It has some mistakes, as all works of art do, but that is part of the beauty of it.

What’s your favourite thing about working at BAYS?

Seeing all the beautiful things our customers make! People are so, so talented and creative, and getting a chance to celebrate that is such a blast.

What notions are always in your project bag?

A film canaster filled with stitch markers, a darning needle, and waste yarn. It’s the perfect little container to keep those pesky notions safe.

Laura W. – seasonal

Laura is a generational knitter from the North Shore, learning from her Grandmother when very young. An avid knitting podcast watcher she loves learning about new independent dyers, techniques and fun projects! She would get more WIPS done (works in progress) if she could get off Ravelry and Instagram where she dreams of her next projects. She is eager to hear about your next project, so stop by and let her help enable your knitting knowledge and your stash!

 

 

 

 

Rebecca G. – teacher

Rebecca Glazier teachers knitting, crochet and natural dyeing classes and workshops at Baaad Anna’s.  Not only is Rebecca one of our teachers, she is also the dyer behind WildWestDye yarns, a knitwear designer, the host of the Meet Up virtual knitting group Knit 1 Tea 1, a pole dancing enthusiast, and an all around awesome human being. Rebecca began teaching at Baaad Anna’s in early 2020 and teaches a broad range of beginner to intermediate classes.

Check out our full Spotlight on Rebecca here.

Check out our full Spotlight on Mel here.