Annissa is the owner of Stitch House. She taught at East Boston High School for 13 years before being elected to the Boston City Council. In 2021 she ran for Mayor of Boston.
Annissa recently served as CEO and president of the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston and now is the Partnership Advisor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts. Annissa is a mom to 4 great boys 20-year-old Douglas and 18-year-old triplets Charlie, Kayden, and Samir. Annissa and her husband Doug are both lifelong residents of Dorchester and live just up the street from the Stitch House.
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I had the opportunity to visit Stitch House in person to interview Annissa which was a total pleasure!
We talk about Annissa’s creative journey from learning to sew as a child and making her own clothes to competing in sewing contests and selling handmade scrunchies in college.
We also talk about balancing Annissa’s creativity with her passion for public service. Annissa explains how she became a Boston public school teacher and what she loved about that work. She talks about her decision to run for Boston City Council and then later, for mayor of Boston. We discuss her advocacy work for the homeless, for education, and for community development.
Then we talk about Annissa’s decision to open Stitch House, a local yarn shop in her neighborhood of Dorchester. She explains the role that local businesses like hers play in fostering community. Stitch House offers classes and social knit nights all to foster friendships through fiber. We discuss the closure of Joann and the impact of mass-market retail on local businesses.
Finally, we discuss Annissa’s family life raising four sons, including triplets, while managing multiple careers. Annissa emphasizes the importance of finding a creative escape in knitting and sewing.
And, of course, I ask Annissa to recommend great stuff she’s enjoying right now. She recommends:
- The 5 Am Club
- on her needles right now is a hippo and tiger knitting project for her neices and a colorwork sweater for St. Patrick’s Day
Keep up with Annissa on the Stitch House website and on Instagram for updates.