Lost Art’s history

Lost Art Yarn & Rug Hooking was founded by Lois Brakeman in October 1979 in the front of her quaint house on Front Street in Traverse City, Michigan. She focused mainly on Rowan yarns and designs. Offering classes and workshops with some of the best know designers of the time. Her 2 dogs were always there to meet and greet you as you entered her home.

Then, Gerhild Uhl and Lois became partners and moved the shop to Front Street in downtown Traverse City, right across from Golden Shoes. They expanded the shop to offer a larger variety of yarns and Gerhild added the needlepoint to the shop. Lois passed away during the time the shop was on Front Street. And after years of dealing with downtown parking, Gerhild decided to move the shop to Woodmere Commons Plaza on Woodmere Avenue, just south of the Library. It offered better parking, a larger classroom area and a larger showroom.

Then, in 2018, Gerhild decided it was time for retirement, so Katie Axtell purchased the shop from her and moved it down the sidewalk into a larger unit in the same Woodmere Commons Plaza. The move brought a much larger and brighter space that Katie has filled up with so many different options of yarn, needles, hooks, punch needle, needle felting and cross stitch. The shop no longer offers needlepoint as a new shop opened up in the same plaza in May 2026.

Classes are offered for beginners to advanced crafters. Workshops and open knit times are also offered to bring crafters together to enjoy making together.

Katie strives to provide nice quality yarns at a more affordable price point, making it easier for beginners to get started. She looks forward to seeing your smiling faces and seeing the many different projects that you are working on.

So, come in and make Lost Art your happy place as so many have done.

We’ll see you soon!