Il Gomitolo by Francesco Joosten

A thread that tells a story

There are shops that you pass through quickly, and shops where you stop. The Yarn Ball is one of those where you stop. Perhaps for the warmth felt as soon as you enter, perhaps for the colorful yarn balls stacked everywhere, perhaps for the hands of Francesco Joosten that never stop moving, among needles, hooks, threads, and ideas.

Francesco is a craftsman and creative who has chosen Siena as his place of inspiration and life, bringing to the heart of the historic center a workshop that is at the same time a store, atelier, and creative space open to the city. His story is that of someone who has found in handicraft a universal language, capable of speaking to everyone, of all ages and backgrounds.

Yarn balls, needles, looms: the shop, the workshop, the world

Entering The Yarn Ball means immersing oneself in a warm and familiar atmosphere: yarn balls, needles, looms, sketches, ongoing work. Everything tells a living process, in continuous movement. The visitor does not find objects displayed in a cold showcase, they find a lived-in place, where everything is in the making.

The Yarn Ball specializes in knitting, crochet, and weaving, with particular attention to natural yarns, harmonious colors, and craft techniques passed down through time. Every stitch is precise, every color choice is thoughtful, every object carries with it the time and care of those who made it.

The creations

Unique, handmade objects

Francesco's production ranges from scarves, hats, bags, and gloves to stuffed animals, decorative elements, and custom objects. Everything that comes from his hands is characterized by a warm, welcome, and immediately recognizable style, that of someone who puts their soul into every stitch.

His creations are highly appreciated by those looking for an authentic memory of Siena: not a simple souvenir, but an object that carries with it time, care, and handicraft. Something that lasts, that is used, that is given as a gift with pride.

Custom personalization

An important part of Francesco's work is dedicated to personalization. He listens, proposes, interprets: colors, materials, creative solutions. He transforms a vague idea into a unique object, designed exactly for that person, for that moment, for that story.

Courses and workshops

The Yarn Ball is also a place of learning and sharing. Francesco organizes courses and workshops dedicated to knitting, crochet, and other textile techniques, open to both beginners and those who wish to improve. An opportunity to learn, but also to slow down, to rediscover the pleasure of making with hands.

A bridge between past and present

The work of Francesco Joosten represents something rare: an authentic bridge between tradition and contemporaneity. On one side, he respectfully preserves the traditional techniques of knitting, while on the other, he proposes a fresh and modern aesthetic, suitable for all ages and sensibilities.

Francesco is known for his warm welcome: anyone who enters the shop is greeted with a smile, passionately sharing materials, techniques, and inspirations. You don't feel like a customer, you feel like a guest.

For those visiting Siena, a stop at The Yarn Ball means discovering one of the most authentic faces of the city: that of the craft shops where creativity takes shape among threads, colors, and hands that work with love.