Community and Fiber Magic: How Snake + Skein Is Weaving Connection in Lancaster
In partnership with Hempfield Technology, ASSETS is building opportunities for entrepreneurs in Central PA, brick by brick.
Step inside Snake + Skein at 106 W. Chestnut St. in Lancaster and you’ll find more than shelves lined with colorful yarn. You’ll find a gathering place where creativity and community come together.
Founded by Mary Auker-Endres in 2024 and later joined by her best friend, Meg Bourassa, Snake + Skein is a Lancaster-based yarn shop built around a simple but powerful idea: making should bring people together. After noticing that many local yarn shops didn’t carry the types of yarn she loved to knit with, Mary set out to create something different. Drawing on her background as a community organizer, she envisioned a space where creativity could bring people together and makers of all kinds could find community.
Why They Started
While finding the right yarn was the spark, the heart of Snake + Skein has always been community. When Meg joined the business in January 2025, that vision grew even stronger. Together, they embraced an ethos they describe as “community and fiber magic.”
Today, that commitment shapes every aspect of the business. Snake + Skein intentionally sources products from women-owned, queer-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses, helping customers support a broader network of entrepreneurs while discovering unique, high-quality materials.
More importantly, Mary and Meg have created a space where makers and creatives of all kinds can gather, learn and build relationships. Their goal is to create an environment where people feel safe being themselves and connected to a larger community.
ASSETS’ Role
As they continued growing their business, Mary and Meg connected with ASSETS through the Women’s Business Center. Through conversations with an advisor, they explored practical ideas that they quickly put into action.
Those changes helped strengthen the business and reinforced that they have a trusted partner in ASSETS they can turn to as new opportunities and challenges arise.
Looking Ahead
The future is full of possibilities for Snake + Skein. After recently relocating to a larger space in Lancaster City, Mary and Meg are focused on expanding their classes, workshops and community events. They are also exploring partnerships with other local businesses and continuing to host events that serve the broader community, including Narcan trainings, civil rights information sessions and other educational gatherings.
Looking even further ahead, they hope to launch their own hand-dyed yarn line inspired by Lancaster County.
Want to Support?
Whether you’re an experienced knitter, curious beginner or simply looking for a welcoming community space, Snake + Skein invites you to stop by and see what they’re building. Visit their shop in Lancaster City, explore upcoming classes and events at snakeandskein.com, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s next.
