The Purple Purl

What a terrific store! I was in Toronto for business and challenged myself to hit as many yarn stores as I could during my 24 hour business trip. I hit the Purple Purl a few hours before my flight was due to take off! I walked in and was greeted with cheerful hellos and lots of joyful laughter by a group of happy yarnsters about to head out on the TTC Knit-​along (a big yarn crawl using public transit).
The store feels like somebody’s cozy living room. Canadian yarn is easily identifiable with Canadian flag stickers on the cubbies stocking Canadian yarn. This is particularly useful for those like me who try to buy local yarn as often as possible. This is a true yarn lovers’ store. It’s gorgeous! The service is welcoming and helpful. This is going to be a regular stop whenever I visit Toronto.

I love the Purple Purl. I have never had a negative experience here. They are kind and friendly and knowledgeable. I’ve attended several special events here (the TTC Knitalong, the Yarn Tasting events that used to happen) and they’ve always been welcoming and gone out of their way to make it a great experience.
Both Miko and Jenn are really terrific. This place is well worth a visit.

The best knitting store in Riverdale (that I’ve found). They now carry Noro yarn, yeay! Expert staff who have walked me through various knitting quandaries (at least they were quandaries for me), without asking if I’m a customer, or expecting me to buy something first.

This is my new favourite place in the neighbourhood. Upon deciding it was time to broaden my horizons and become more acquainted with the neighbourhood and the people who live here, I signed up for a couple of classes at the Purple Purl. I took the Learn to Knit (Again) Course and Knitting 102. Both courses were reasonably priced, taught by very informed and talented individuals and included a delicious coffee or tea with the class.
All of the staff I’ve encountered at this store has been so friendly and helpful. Most of the time I walk in there with no clue what I’m looking for and the staff has been patient and sorted me out with all of the materials I require. Although the price of yarn is more expensive then the typical craft department store generic yarn, the quality and colours are far better. I often end up saving money by shopping here because I know that from the start I have the right wool to get the job done properly the first time.
They have a great selection and every time I go in I fantasize about the gorgeous garments I’ll be able to knit one day in their beautiful hand dyed wool. Maybe after I practice on a couple more scarfs or take a couple more knitting workshops.
There is also a very vibrant knitting circle that seems to convene here, especially on weekends. They all seem friendly but so far I’ve been way too intimidated to join myself. I wonder if you need to be invited in by an elder? That’s how these things work, right? Maybe when I become a bit more confident in my knitting abilities. In the meantime I’ll be knitting my scarfs on my couch while watching a Netflix tv marathon.

A very pleasant store with tempting yarns. Stocks mid-​to-​high-​end yarns. Friendly help, nice atmosphere – a great presence in the Leslieville neighbourhood. Not a huge store, so the selection is somewhat limited. Their notions are expensive, but that might be a Canadian thing.

I had heard about The Purple Purl on a podcast (Knit 1 Geek 2), so when my husband and I planned a trip to Toronto I said we had to check it out! The ladies were friendly and helpful. They seemed delighted we had come in to the shop. They kindly showed me some local yarns and I was able to choose some wonderful souvenirs, all yarn made locally or in Canada! At the same they were very helpful with directions and helped us plan out our route to the next place on our list. The shop is beautiful with yarn literally covering the walls and there is a cozy sitting area in the center of the store. I would love to come and just spend time knitting and talking! This is one of the best yarn shops I’ve visited!

For a couple years now I’ve been trying to get into the knitting 101 classes here but my schedule is such a mess that I’ve not been able to make it work. Finally, once I found out that I would soon be an auntie for the first time, I decided on private lessons with Denny.
I was so looking forward to the experience of being a student rather than a teacher (which is what I am). The staff is so warm, inviting and sincere. There are no airs about any of them.
Denny is a phenomenal teacher — so patient, non-​judgmental, remembers absolutely everything, and really tries to apply the knowledge in a relevant way for the student.
In a very short time, I had knit a hat for my sweet little nephew and was being encouraged to jump into the next project. Everyone there (including the folks just sitting and knitting) were just as excited about the hat (and the nephew) as I was!
The support is heart-​melting, the people are amazing, and I am totally hooked. I’m practically doing two lessons a week and just cannot get enough. I feel so confident after just a couple lessons and that is the sign of a good teacher. No. Sorry. A *GREAT* teacher.
I love these guys.

I love the Purple Purl! I live in Leslieville and started taking lessons about a year ago. The staff is very friendly and always willing to help you if you have questions. They are all very knowledgeable about yarn which is good because I never know what kind I should get. The classes are well priced and very good. They have the best selection of yarn I have seen yet. If you like to knit/​crochet or want to learn I suggest going to the Purple Purl.

I had heard of the Purple Purl several times, but until recently, never found myself in the neighbourhood. I drove past it and decided that I’d have to stop and take a wander.
The shop isn’t huge, but every wall is covered in stuff, mostly yarn, some books, and a few accessories. In the middle of the room, you’ll find some comfy seating where you can sip a hot beverage (made at the little café section in the back of the store) while working on a project. Unfortunately I didn’t notice the price of the drinks, so I can’t comment on whether it’s reasonable.
As little more than a beginner crocheter who doesn’t usually work with anything but the standard stuff you can get at Michael’s, I was more than a little overwhelmed. But, one of the employees (perhaps one of the owners?) saw the deer-​in-​headlights look that came over me and came to my rescue. She asked what the project was, and then took the time to walk me through the different types of yarn, including what each type is best for, washing instructions, etc. She made sure I had no more questions, and then left me alone to make my choice — no pressure, no pestering.
The only reason I didn’t give the shop 5 stars is the price of the product. If you don’t really care about the quality of the yarn you get, and would rather reduce the cost of your project, go to a big box store. If you want higher end yarn and don’t mind paying a little extra, this is the place for you.

A very cute shop. Very nicely decorated. They have good quality yarn.
However, I feel that the store lady acts much more warmly and is much more attentive to old customers, or customers who are experienced knitters. I find the store lady very intimidating and I was honestly scared to ask her any questions. Since I’m new at knitting, she made me feel stupid whenever I asked her a question on yarn or her knitting products. Maybe the store lady is cold to me because I’m much younger than her regular customers. The owners at Romni Wool were much more friendly and they made me feel much more welcome.
And their yarn is very pricey. Then again, it’s difficult to find good quality yarn at cheaper prices.

Damknit (hardy har har) I wish I lived closer!
I used to go to the Purple Purl when I lived out in the East End. They’re a very welcoming and friendly bunch — owners and patrons a like, and they serve a pretty mean Latte too!
I’ve taken several classes here, all have been well priced and very well taught. The selection of yarns is excellent and the Purl really is one of the best yarn shops I’ve ever been to.

The Purl is a great shop. Jen and Miko (the owners) are lovely, and always friendly.
There is almost always a group of knitters sitting in the store, working away on their projects, drinking coffee or tea, and munching on one of the delicious treats (try the smores square!) I’ve always found this group to be friendly and welcoming — walk in, pull up a chair, and start knitting!
Their selection of yarn is extensive — they’ve got loads of sock yarn (Tanis, Malabrigo, Viola, Indigodragonfly, just as a sampling,) and that’s just when you walk in. The rest of the store is equally well-​stocked, and Jen or Miko can always help you find what you’re looking for.
Their pattern selection is excellent — the binders in the bookshelves up front are *full* of single patterns, including Anne Hanson of KnitSpot, GlennaC, Kate Atherley, Amy Swenson, and many, many others.
The class offerings are extensive — knitting, crochet, spinning, with excellent teachers. The classes are held down a flight of stairs, but everything else in the shop is accessible.

My favourite yarn shop, hands down. The owners Miko and Jennifer are super-​friendly and helpful. A wonderful place to spend an afternoon knitting, they have a great selection of well known as well as lesser-​known yarn brands. The coffee and treats are amazing.
They also offer classes, check the website for the class calendar. I attended an intro to spinning class there last year and thought it was excellent.

Oh, I love this place, not to mention the treats there, it’s a ‘café’ style knitting store. They have so many yummy sweet brownies and bakery for you to treat yourself a day! I always adore the SMORE SQUARE, it’s really mouth watering!
For the yarn, they carry lots of Malabrigo, sock yarn and eco friendly yarn. THe store lady is very very nice and serves very well. :)
This place is very cozy for knitters to stay there and knit. Every time I went there, I saw at least 4 – 5 knitters chatting and knitting over there.
They also have some toys for kids to play (my daughter loves them).
She has quite a lot of yarn, but not very much on patterns and needle selections. Sometimes, she has some sale yarn on some shelves, check them out near the cashier.
She also carries some wooden buttons which are quite unique and pretty.
Parking is not a very big issue as Queen east is not very busy, so, it’s not that hard to find a spot on the street.
I love to shop there and so does my daughter, she loves to play in Purple Purl too. :)