Comments on: What do you value in a yarn store? (opinions, please)

By: NisuAndKnitting

NisuAndKnitting — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:32:34 +0000

I think it’s most important that the owner have a kind and helpful attitude towards customers, no one wants to feel unwelcome when they are shopping for yarn.

By: GinkgoKnits

GinkgoKnits — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:45:16 +0000

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.

By: Julia

Julia — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:10:10 +0000

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.

By: katrin

katrin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:12:52 +0000

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!

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:02:19 +0000

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.

By: tini

tini — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:18:48 +0000

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.

By: Gudrun

Gudrun — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:41:10 +0000

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.

By: greta

greta — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:26:26 +0000

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.

By: aw

aw — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:33:51 +0000

good colors. less books. full shelves.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 18:46:49 +0000

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