| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
radsmum
New Pal
USA
15 Posts |
 Posted - 05/31/2005 : 6:16:01 PM
|
What makes for an ideal knitting shop? For me the answer would have to be anywhere that sells beautiful yarns AND I feel welcome to sit and knit!
What would it be for you?
Chris |
|
|
Doriknits
New Pal
USA
18 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2005 : 7:06:08 PM
|
Hi Chris!
I love the feeling that I'm welcome, a part of the community, that old Cheers saying--where everyone knows your name. Classes that excite me--and yarns that spark my imagination. I have a LYS nearby that is huge and overwhelming as far as stock goes, but the owner has never warmed up to me. Needless to say, I rarely go there.
Hugs and stitches,
Dori in Fullerton, Ca. (yup, home of the Red Hat Society!sheesh!)
Ignorance should be painful. |
 |
|
|
collieknit
Warming Up
84 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2005 : 8:19:20 PM
|
| I agree strongly. I have two stores that I frequent at least monthly. One of them is about ten minutes away, the other ninety. I always feel greeted when I am at either one, and know the names of the owners and some of their employees. Then there are the yarns. If variety is the spice of life, so does it go for yarns. Having an equal balance of budget, novelty, exotic, basic, and gauge makes everyone happy. Also, in both of these shops, all of the yarns are given respect and knowledge by the owners. They have never tried to push yarn on me, or directed me away from what I wanted. In terms of tools, again something for everyone. You don'y need fancy rosewood, ebony, or even addi turbos. Knitting is for everyone, and when we become ultra snobs over our needles, we lose a little bit of ourselves. Inox, Susan Bates, and Clover are all trusted, reliable, well made, and affordable. Books should be profuse and comprehensive. I have been into many shops full of beautiful yarns, but a paltry and un challenging selection of books. Finally, keep the space open enough for customers to roam and relax. |
|
|
|
Two Sticks and a String
Permanent Resident
USA
1453 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2005 : 1:15:33 PM
|
There are 2 yarn shops in my area. At one, I never feel welcomed and the staff comes off as snobish. At the other, I always feel like family. I can sit and try out yarns, needles and browse forever. She will allow me to knit a swatch of a yarn to experiment with. Not many shops would allow me to play to my hearts content. She carries products that you can't get at Michaels, etc. And she will teach you anything. Doesn't get any better than that..
Dorene |
|
|
|
truly violet
Permanent Resident
6397 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2005 : 6:09:03 PM
|
my local yarn store makes you feel welcome, special and they actually laugh at my jokes!
hahaha
actually we never had a local yarn store in the 19 years I have lived in this town
so even just having one is a real treat
plus I like the lady that owns it very much
she knew that 'calpurrnia' was from julius caesar, and NOT the addams family......
so what's not to like
she is a nice person, literate ( an english teacher to boot) she knits and beads.........
hahahah
vi
who can go on and on and on and ok so you get it
none of this will matter in 100 years.......except I will finally be at my goal weight...vi
http://notashyviolet.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
|
lgrabbit@yahoo.com
Chatty Knitter
170 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2005 : 04:58:11 AM
|
The ideal knitting shop for me is www.heritagespinning.com. Everyone is so nice and the shop is filled with all kinds of goodies for knitters, crocheters, spinners, and weavers. One thing that impressed me was when the owner, Joan, took the time to write out a pattern for free for me on a hat that I admired that she made up. Of course, I bought the yarn, knit it, and it is beautiful! The pattern filled a whole page! That is my ideal shop.
Laurie
"Under the fence, Catch the sheep, Back we come, Off we leap!"--Purl Rhyme |
|
|
|
knittinggal
Chatty Knitter
USA
296 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2005 : 06:05:54 AM
|
I've got two LYS that I frequent. One has bunches of yarn to choose from, the charm of antiques throughout the store, classes and I've been there enough, they recognize me when I walk through the door. The LYS closest to me may not have the largest selection, but the owner is very friendly, seems so down to earth and good. She offers the best classes and has her eye on expanding her display space. She's only been open less than a year and is working on a website plus plans for her shop to grow. I'm moving next month and one will be 50 miles away and the other 30 miles away but I will make those drives gladly!
Kay |
|
|
|
RoseM
Permanent Resident
Canada
1898 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2005 : 11:16:29 AM
|
Besides good stock and friendly helpful staff, it's got to have good lighting. If not natural light from windows, then good overhead or spot lighting. Also a chair or two is nice.
RoseM |
|
|
|
ScubaQueen
Seriously Hooked
USA
883 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2005 : 12:15:49 PM
|
Wow...it would never occur to me to ask if I could knit a swatch. In my area there are only 3 stores, JoAnn, WalMart and a lovely little store called The Yarn Garden.
I usually hit JoAnn...and they don't really help you much there. I just discovered the Yarn Garden...a tiny store with a WONDERFUL selection of yarn...of course it's more expensive then JoAnn and Wal-Mart but much better yarn. Since the store is so small the staff is right there with you. They were nice and talked and offered help....funny though...with all eyes on me I couldn't help but wonder if it was ok to "touch" the yarn..[:00].
I definitely like a store that sends you coupons (preferably in email)...I can't believe how expensive some yarn is 
Wendy
quote:
Originally posted by Meandorene
There are 2 yarn shops in my area. At one, I never feel welcomed and the staff comes off as snobish. At the other, I always feel like family. I can sit and try out yarns, needles and browse forever. She will allow me to knit a swatch of a yarn to experiment with. Not many shops would allow me to play to my hearts content. She carries products that you can't get at Michaels, etc. And she will teach you anything. Doesn't get any better than that..
Dorene
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: "WOW...WHAT A RIDE!!!"
|
|
|
|
Elisheva
New Pal
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2005 : 4:18:06 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by ScubaQueen
I definitely like a store that sends you coupons (preferably in email)...I can't believe how expensive some yarn is
Wendy
Wendy, you've brought up a problem that I deal with every week when leading a knitting group. Can knitting as an activity really be available to people who have limited resources?
I'm not questioning the value of high-priced yarns, but I am wondering about the culture of the activity called knitting. (I've heard the advice "don't waste your time knitting with cheap yarn" often enough to want to scream.) Is knitting an activity only for those persons in the upper middle class and above?
What do you all think?
Blessings!
|
|
|
|
TrueStar
Chatty Knitter
USA
199 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2005 : 4:34:50 PM
|
The owner of one of my LYS remembered my name the 2nd or 3rd time I walked in. She greeted me and engaged some small talk by asking me what I was working on now. She then asked if I needed any help and lets me look around when I don't need anything.
She put up with me when I was trying to decide between colors of the cheaper acrylic yarn for...half an hour. I was walking to the front and back of the store constantly. I spent all of $12 that day...which was REALLY hard because she had a storewide sale and I didn't even know about it until I walked in the door. The owner is still always very nice and patient with someone so indecisive as myself. :p
http://commuknits.typepad.com/
Jake: Your rap name would be 'Kid Mohair'
|
|
|
|
knitz2
Permanent Resident
USA
1800 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2005 : 5:31:14 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Elisheva
[quote]Originally posted by ScubaQueen
[font=Tahoma][size=3][purple]
Wendy, you've brought up a problem that I deal with every week when leading a knitting group. Can knitting as an activity really be available to people who have limited resources?
I'm not questioning the value of high-priced yarns, but I am wondering about the culture of the activity called knitting. (I've heard the advice "don't waste your time knitting with cheap yarn" often enough to want to scream.) Is knitting an activity only for those persons in the upper middle class and above?
What do you all think?
Blessings!
I agree about screaming with frustration over the statements about only knitting with expensive yarn. I'm lucky in that my LYSO is NOT a yarn snob. She prefers and carries quality yarns but is not offended if someone brings other yarns into her store for social knitting times (two Saturday afternoons a month & whenever you need a break from life). She will even suggest less expensive acrylic or cotton yarns for some projects. This attitude is part of what made me a regular lunchtime knitter at her store. |
|
|
|
Laura Ver
Seriously Hooked
656 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 3:04:54 PM
|
Selection! A good selection would matter to me almost more than a pleasant welcome -- or maybe it's a tie. I am lucky that there are several LYS near me. However,as knitting grows in popularity their selection of yarn seems to shrink. Glitzy,furry,ribbon, etc are everywhere. Plain wool, especially in worsted and finer gauges, is becoming an endangered species. It doesn't help that this is California, where presumably we don't ever need to wear wool or knit with it!
My favorite shops are the ones that carry both fancy *and* work-horse type yarns. However they are a rarity these days. I also like a shop that has enough inventory that I can find enough skeins of the same dyelot to knit a sweater. That is very rare around here. I'd love to keep my LYS in business but it is often a safer bet for me to order from an internet source, unfortunately.
Laura |
|
|
|
Ditzy Girl
Permanent Resident
USA
4718 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2005 : 4:41:55 PM
|
All of you have described my lys. Yarn Gallery in West Seattle. They are friendly and always willing to chat and you can stay as long as you like. The customer are also friendly and the yarn is fab in all price ranges. Then I have another fav. Hilltop at the top of Queen Ann in Seattle. There yarn is mostly top of the line, but the staff is wonderful. We are so lucky here. We have a plethora of lys, but these 2 are my fav.
Zola, Seattle, Wash.
|
|
|
|
Laura Ver
Seriously Hooked
656 Posts |
Posted - 10/15/2005 : 8:04:34 PM
|
Sounds like I really must visit Seattle one of these days! Acorn Street Yarn shop (I hope that is the accurate name) has a booth at Stitches West every year and I often buy from them as they carry an outstanding selection of patterns. Lucky Seattle knitters...
Laura |
|
|
|
emilyn
Chatty Knitter
Singapore
126 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2005 : 02:15:53 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by knitz2
quote:
Originally posted by Elisheva
[quote]Originally posted by ScubaQueen
[font=Tahoma][size=3][purple]
Wendy, you've brought up a problem that I deal with every week when leading a knitting group. Can knitting as an activity really be available to people who have limited resources?
I'm not questioning the value of high-priced yarns, but I am wondering about the culture of the activity called knitting. (I've heard the advice "don't waste your time knitting with cheap yarn" often enough to want to scream.) Is knitting an activity only for those persons in the upper middle class and above?
What do you all think?
Blessings!
I agree about screaming with frustration over the statements about only knitting with expensive yarn. I'm lucky in that my LYSO is NOT a yarn snob. She prefers and carries quality yarns but is not offended if someone brings other yarns into her store for social knitting times (two Saturday afternoons a month & whenever you need a break from life). She will even suggest less expensive acrylic or cotton yarns for some projects. This attitude is part of what made me a regular lunchtime knitter at her store.
I don't think LYSOs are being yarn snobs. Sometimes the way they look at knitting is, if you are gonna spend that much time and effort on one project, you might as well try to use the best quality yarn possible so as to make the project truly lasting.
For me, it's never been a problem to use acrylic when I make toys or baby items if the moms request for them. It's made for easier maintenance.
Em
http://vintagefusionhandcrafts.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Square Knitter
New Pal
USA
41 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2005 : 07:48:06 AM
|
My LYS is nearly ideal. The owner makes you feel welcome, she helps out tremendously in choosing yarns, needles, calculating how much yarn etc. I am a beginner and desparately need this help. The LYSO told me she will help fix any mistake I make, just bring my project into the shop. When she first taught me to knit (I actaully learned as a kid but only made a crooked purple potholder in meltable acrylic)I spent hours sitting in the shop working on my garter stitch scarf, which I wore yesterday. The only thing I would change about my LYS are the hours. She is closed on sunday and I wish she were open on sundays (and closed on Mondays). I can only get to the shop on Saturday and if she is having a workshop I am sh*t out of luck. My wonderful LYS is The Knitting Basket in Denville, NJ and I highly recommend it.
Square Knitter |
|
|
|
eclair
Chatty Knitter
New Zealand
320 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2005 : 3:28:44 PM
|
My LYS is also a haberdashers and they don't have a huge selection of wool - mostly washable merino and baby stuff (we are in NZ!) but not a great range and the colours are a little dull. But she does have a fenced in toy area for the children which means I can look at the knitting stuff and the quilting supplies while my children are quiet, happy and safe while I shop.
My other LYS has much more interesting yarns, more choice, knows about knitting and has swatches all over the place (and clothes she has knitted from the yarns so she knows about how it knits up) and also has beading and a table for beading and projects. There is embroidery stuff, magazines and enough lovely stuff to keep me happy for hours. Unfortunately, there is nothing for children (which I understand is not her problem, it's mine) and that means I can only over do shop, grab and run type shopping here while my little girls try and escape from the pushchair. If I could browse properly then Oh, the things I would buy!
Eclair |
|
|
|
lauriec
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
424 Posts |
Posted - 11/20/2005 : 08:05:42 AM
|
For the ideal knitting shop would be close by (the closest LYS here is 30 min away but we do have AC Moore, Michaels, Hobby Lobby & Hancock Fabrics for more basic items), friendly staff, no snobbery, welcoming atmosphere, selection & value.
I went to our LYS yesterday (Darlene's in Opelika, AL) & I swear, had the baby been asleep I would have sat & knitted & chatted w/ Darlene all afternoon. I picked up 2 prs of Crystal Palace needles & a hank of tahki cotton classic yarn & you would have thought I purchased 400$ worth of product. Darlene makes everyone feel good about their purchase & is just wonderful! I'm so glad I finally found her store!!
Now if only she'd put a 2nd location here in Columbus!!!! |
|
|
|
donnawatk
Seriously Hooked
673 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2005 : 08:46:50 AM
|
I have been to two shops in the Chicago area where the owners were wonderful. One was Keep you in stitches on Oak street and the Other was Stitch by stiches in Highland park. Both women were helpful and talk to me as if I had been coming to their store for years.I have been in stores where I have had to ask do you work here. Thoses stores I didn't buy from and will not go back.
Donna Watkins |
|
|
|
m11721
New Pal
47 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2005 : 4:54:34 PM
|
| I like a variety of yarns with well-marked prices. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Knitter's Review Forums |
© 2001-2013 Knitter's Review |
|
|
|
|
Topic Locked
