What do you value in a yarn store? (opinions, please)
Posted on | August 1, 2009 | 9 Comments
I have a friend who is thinking seriously about setting up a yarn shop locally and is doing her initial research and putting out feelers to see how feasible it may be, and having had conversations with some store owners who are doing ok even in the current economy, it seems like under the right circumstances, it might work. I wonder if you wouldn’t be willing to help by weighing in with a few opinions & thoughts on the topic?
What do you/would you value most in an LYS?
How can a yarn store add value to your experience (other than having the yarn you’re seeking in stock)?
What might make you choose to buy yarn at your LYS rather than (or in addition to) online?
What would you ideally like to see offered (in broad or specific terms)?
What is important to you in terms of atmosphere?
If you have an LYS that you adore, what are it’s outstanding qualities?
Any other helpful thoughts, please feel free to share! Thanks so much!
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9 Responses to “What do you value in a yarn store? (opinions, please)”
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mel
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August 1st, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
Mel–a couple ladies with the blog ‘Enchanted Yarn and Fiber’ recently started a yarn store in KY. They did a contest about a year ago with very similar questions and got over 80 responses. Might be worth having your friend check out some of those responses in addition to what you get on this post. The store seems to be doing okay so they may be another contact to actually talk to…contact information is on the blog.
http://enchantedyarnandfiber.blogspot.com/2008/03/yarn-contest-and-giveaway.html
August 1st, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
good colors. less books. full shelves.
August 1st, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
community of welcoming knitters, enough yarn for a whole project, needles and basics fully stocked.
I guess it is more important to me to feel WELCOME than
anything else.
August 2nd, 2009 @ 8:41 am
Yes the warm and friendly atmosphere is a must…nice space to sit and knit. I personally don’t like a yarn store that is over-packed with choices but a good selection is important.
August 2nd, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
Light is crucial for me. I need to see the colours for what they are not what electric light makes it look like.
I like a friendly atmosphere, were I feel welcome, even if I just wander around and look for inspiration.
Since I’m totally into sock knitting: locally dyed sock yarns. For me, that is German yarns here in Germany. Maybe for a country the size of yours that would be by state.
I really don’t like self striping yarns but that is just me.
Other than that: a good selection of natural yarns and classes would be awesome. Maybe a knit night once a week or once every fortnight.
August 3rd, 2009 @ 10:02 am
a welcoming atmosphere and great yarns. of course the yarns would be the reason to visit the shop, the welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to come back.
August 4th, 2009 @ 5:12 am
hm… I left a huge comment on this, but somehow it seems it’s swallowed up into nirvana.
so, in short:
- advice. professional advice on yarn choice, pattern, and how pattern & yarn will work together.
- the saleswoman (or -man) should at least be able to knit so I have the feeling she knows what she talks about. nothing’s worse than someone who doesn’t know a thing about it.
- i mostly buy online as my lys doesn’t have a big variety of yarns, and when they order for me i have to take 10 skeins instead of the 1 or 2 i need.
- yarns, patterns, books. maybe add some magazines you don’t get everywhere.
- a place to sit comfortably and thumb through books/magazines is nice. a cup of tea even nicer.
- i always love it to see things on display. sweaters, cardis and scarves so I see how the yarn knits up or how a pattern turns out…
good luck to your friend!
August 11th, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
Community. If you have that and decent stock, the people will come – again and again. Interesting quirky classes, and maybe some free workshops to get people in the door and build friendships, share creative ideas.
September 11th, 2009 @ 11:45 pm
In addition to a welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff, and good yarns, one key for me in needle stock.
I prefer Addi Lace needles and they are not available everywhere (although they are more available than they used to be). It’s key to me that there be a decent selection of needles and tools so that if I need a certain size/type to start a project, I don’t have to go elsewhere or shop online. This is one of those areas that I would find easy to skip on in the beginning if I were starting out so it seems worth mentioning.