A lot of people spending more time at home are trying out new hobbies and learning new skills. Local yarn store Jimmy Beans Wool has seen a boost in online sales and the staff is eager to help those new to the craft.

"We have about 15,000 different products on our website, so there's a lot to choose from," said Owner Laura Zander. "So that's why I encourage that you call us if you're a beginner and get some help. Ask us to put something together because that's what we really like doing, it's fun."

The online site caters to all experience levels, and shipping is free through the end of the month.

"On our site we have how-to-knit kits, so you can one-stop shop," Zander said. "You can also buy a ball of yarn, some needles, books, we have everything you need from beginner to expert. You can pretty much shop with us for the rest of your life."

The hope is, some who pick up the craft will stick with it.

"We're seeing this potentially as a resurgence of the industry," Zander said. "Our industry peaked years and years ago and has kind of been falling a little bit, with the use of the smart phone and the cell phone. Now, we're seeing it pick back up, which is really exciting. Almost all of the businesses in the knitting industry are small, family-run businesses, so it's the epitome of kind of the American Dream, the small business fiber of society."

Jimmy Beans also sponsors a scholarship program for students that knit and crochet - even those who've just begun. They're looking for more local applicants.

"We just need you to apply if you're going to college," Zander said. "It doesn't have to be a university; it can be a community college, it could be cosmetology school, it could be nursing school. It's a merit-based scholarship, so it's just based on your GPA and on whether you know how to knit or crochet - even if you're just learning. So it can be a great time to maybe learn a new craft, fill out an application and potentially get $2,500 to help you with your school tuition next year."

She says it's a way to give back to a community that's given so much.

"Every day I wake up I'm so grateful that I live in Reno, both personally and professionally," Zander said. "This community has given so much to us. We're a market leader in the yarn industry, we're one of the top shops, and i don't think we'd be there if it weren't for Reno, if it weren't for EDAWN, if it weren't for the business leaders here that have embraced us and given us so much mentorship and help. And the post office, the post office is amazing.

Scholarship applications are due at the end of April.

For more information, visit: https://www.jimmybeanswool.com or visit: https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/details/knitting/scholarshipHome.asp