Seattle Yarn

I am pleased to write that the attitude at Seattle yarn and of the young lady who now owns it has vastly improved since my last review. My Aunt and I returned for this year’s LYS tour and were impressed with the warm reception of the staff and it seemed that their already fantastic yarn collection has gotten even better! They also had my favorite featured pattern and yarn by far! I will return to buy the yarn when my budget allows. I am giving three stars because I read some of the other reviews and it seems that the owner’s and shops environment is not consistent, fluctuating from icy to super inviting like today.
Ladies, please keep up the efforts you’re putting in to make your business a warm place where everyone feels welcome and comfortable. Growth is gradual and I can appreciate that!

Despite several 5 star ratings, I agree with those who find going to this store an unpleasant experience. My first time was similar: The reception was indeed icy. I felt like I had entered a private club and didn’t have the password. There was a group of women who were knitting at a table. All of them stopped talking, stopped knitting and turned and stared at me. Although they have some beautiful yarns, they did not have what I needed (something basic that one would expect to find in a yarn store). I left fairly soon since the environment was so uncomfortable. It reminded me of junior high when the «clique» has subtle way of definitely letting you know that you’re not cool and you’d better now try to sit at their table. What a shame to see such snobbery in my neighborhood. ..

The staff was so friendly, as well as helpful and knowledgable! Worth the drive to West Seattle.

This is my kind of yarn shop.
After visiting «the wrong yarn store» yesterday, I headed to this shop and this was the right store for me.
They are in the process of rearranging the stock and as I understand it, the long-​time owner, Virginia, is transferring the business to her daughter.
Leah (sp?) — the woman who opened the shop greeted me warmly when I opened the door. She and I chatted for a bit while I knit a few rows and considered what yarn to add to my stash… I wanted to hang out for a bit like I do at my yarn shop at home and I felt right at home here.
I watched Leah and Virginia help this «interesting» lady who had a bit of a complicated request, with kindness and patience– well done! No «mean girls» here.
When I finally decided on my skein of Tosh DK, Virginia gladly wound it up for me…
If I lived in Seattle, this would be my LYS
Note to the daughter taking over: keep it warm and friendly like your mom has it and you will succeed!
Best wishes to the new store!
Oh yea, edited to add: a little music in the store might be nice

Great selection and everything beautifully displayed! Nicely organized. I frequent this place often when I’m in West Seattle.

I am in Seattle this week on business and always try to find local yarn shops when I travel. I decided to find Seattle Yarn, and I’m glad I did. What a great store! Greeted by two wonderful ladies who made me feel really welcome. Great selection of yarns and gadgets (which I LOVE). And they helped me pick out yarn for a scarf I need to knit. THANK YOU ladies … see you on my next trip!

I am an avid knitter. I love all things yarn and have big issues keeping my yarn purchases under control. When I moved to West Seattle I was very excited to be close to a local yarn store. Unfortunately, I went to the store once and was so turned off that I never returned. I agree with other reviews that the store is beautiful, well organized, complete with a varied stock. The huge problem was the icy reception upon entering the store. One of the worker’s barely looked up. I did see a lot of items that I was interested in but the cold demeanor of the staff completely ruined the experience. I ended up leaving empty handed and traveled to a big box store instead for my knitting needs. I was really disappointed because I wanted to support a local business. I hope they are a little more welcoming if I ever decide to go back.

It’s the LYS that’s closest to me when I’m home, which is really the only reason why I go here. Lately, I’ve been going to other stores because of my experiences here. They haven’t been horrible, it’s just that they haven’t been particularly great.
I’ve been coming here for a few years now, and walking in is always awkward. I’m not a fan of small talk, so it’s nice that the workers always give me a quick hello and offer help, but on many occasions I’m one of the only ones there, and the workers are engaged in conversations that don’t seem that appropriate for a work place… especially an open one, where your customers can hear you. I understand that the days can be slow/​long, but hearing talks about the police coming to your friends’ house and awkward relationship advice is just something that I feel can be left at home, or for a phone conversation later. Or you know, at least until I leave the store.
They also don’t really have that great of a selection. I feel like for the past year, I’ve gone in and their stock of Malabrigo and madelinetosh has decreased significantly. Or rather, it just seems like they’ve sold it all and haven’t bothered to re-​stock. It leaves only 3 – 4 colorways of Malabrigo Sock to choose from at any given time, or a random skein or two of madtosh Vintage.
One thing I do like is that they let you wind the yarn yourself, and their needle stock is well organized and plentiful.
I last came here after Christmas because I had a gift certificate, but I most likely won’t be back, unless I need something small. I’d rather drive further for a better selection and a better vibe.

i love it here. it’s a big space with loads of choices. i knew what i wanted so i was in and out, but i overheard the owner with another lady giving good, knowledgable advice for a vague idea the lady had for a project, so i know where to go if i have questions.

Seattle Yarn, thou art FANNNTASTIC.
I came here to get some yarn for a blanket. It’ll be a treat for myself to use when nursing school starts in January.
Problem is… I’m such a newbie that I didn’t really know what I was looking for. Well, other than «something soft and not too expensive and that doesn’t pill.»
Enter: Rachel. She listened to my drawn out story about how I came to the idea of the blanket I want and suggested a few types of wool yarn. Highs and lows, thick and thin… And then after looking around some more, I decided on cotton yarn. She answered my questions about gauge and other noob subjects. I never once felt stupid or less welcome.
The two things that topped off my visit and crowned Seattle Yarns as my new favorite knitting destination? Rachel offered to hold extra skeins for me in the same dye lot, so I could save my money for more time-​sensitive things like Christmas presents. I thought that was amazing customer service. Also, she wound my yarn for me so it’d be less likely to be tangled. (I don’t know if that’s common practice for yarn shops, but they sure as hell don’t do that for you at Joann’s or Michaels!)
Aside from the excellent & warm customer service, they have an overwhelming (in a good way) selection of yarns and needles. Super thick, silky, beginners, cotton, tweed… It’s there. Projects just WAITING to be started.
Note: If you’re uncomfortable backing up, better to park on the street. The four spots on the left of their parking lot are back-​out-​at-​an-​angle only. (It sounds weird but you’ll understand when you see it.)

I have never left bad feedback for a business but my experience at this store was unacceptable today. The lady working was extremely rude to my three year old son. He walked by some yarn and accidentally knocked a few rolls off with his coat. I asked him to put them back and while he was putting them back the lady came over acted all annoyed at us and told him he needed to go to the play area. She kept telling him this but he’s three and wanted to stay with me. When he continued to put the three rolls back she rolled her eyes at me and told me to stop trying to fix it and just take him to the play area. I couldn’t believe her lack of patience in something so minor. Then I was told several times after this that there was a play area he should go to. He wasn’t touching anything or bothering anyone. The thing that really angered me is when I went to check out. He was touching a scarf next to the cashier. I asked him nicely to not touch it. When he didn’t stop immediately she YELLED at him by name. It made both me and my son jump and I’m pretty sure everyone else in the store. All for touching a scarf. I have never been treated with such disrespect and never in my life have I ever had someone from a store cross a boundary and try to parent my child. Warning to parents, stay clear of this store. There is definitely zero tolerance/​patience for small children. West Seattle yarn you have lost my long time business. If I had known this is how you treat children, I wouldn’t have given you two years of my business. I’ll gladly take my money else where.

came by here for three yarns (malabrigo chunky, chloe & spud sweater, and imperial columbia)… and they didn’t have any of them. when i asked, one of the ladies kept trying to convince me that i was thinking of malabrigo rasta… blah.
i did see a mom and son knitting in the back area, which was cool, but the yarns they have here just don’t compare to other stores i’ve been to in the city… just not worth the drive to WS.

Best yarn store I’ve been to. (Okay, I’ve not been to many, but all the same this one is STILL the best among those that I HAVE been to. :-p)
Plenty of yarn. Pretty much anything you could want.
And while it’s doubtful that they won’t have what you want, they do special orders too, so they probably will be able to get it!
Have any questions? They’re more than wiling to help.
Have a problem with a pattern that you’re working on? They can help with that too!
Need some personal one-​on-​one tutoring? Many of their employees are also available for hire for training sessions as well.
Need a garment/​project fixed/​repaired? They’re willing to help. Just stop by and if any of them have the time, they may be able to negotiate.
These people do their best to please.
The staff is exceedingly friendly as well, and VERY knowledgeable.
They also carry a wide variety of knitting books and patterns.
The store is a veritable library of yarn-​related information!
But it doesn’t stop there, …oh no.
They’re also friendly to those of the crocheting persuasion.
They carry books and hooks and pretty much everythin you’d need.
And although not all the employees there crochet, there are still quite a few that DO and can probably help.
But WAIT! There’s MORE!
Felting your thing? Well bucko, you’re IN LUCK! They also have a wide variety of felting related stock. From cute fun kits that also make great gifts (I’ve spent quite a while looking through their fun collection), to book, as well as raw wool (though in limited quantities).
STOP! We’re not done yet!
They also have everything you’d need for cross-​stitching!
A great supply of embroidery floss in stock, and some fun patterns.
And not just patterns that you’d expect to be popular among the wizened crowd… though they have those too.
SERIOUSLY, you’ve got to stop assuming it ends there. There’s MORE!
Need buttons, or a knitter looms? Yeah, they’ve got those too. :-]
AND…
YES AND…
They also occasionally have special events.
And weekly knitting circles!
Come on!
Come to browse, stay to knit.
They’ll rock your socks off,… if for no other reason than to give you an excuse to knit a new pair! :-D

This is by far my favorite yarn store…
of all time!!!
Every employee is as sweet as can be. They know their product and the crafts they support. No question is silly and they can talk you through any trouble you might be happening (knitting or not)
I don’t live near there store, but that doesn’t stop me.

I absolutely love Seattle Yarn. The employees are always helpful and friendly and give honest, knowledgeable opinions about project and yarn ideas. They have a beautiful and well organized store — I especially love the good selection of books and buttons!

They have all the classics in stock, with some interesting curveballs, too (Malabrigo in fun colors). The staff is awesome, too. Sweet, helpful people aplenty to steer you in the right direction.

I don’t knit, though goodness knows I’ve tried to learn over the years. But I love visting this shop just to BROWSE all the pretty yarns and other various sundry items, and dream of a day when I’ll be able to create something ½ as pretty as my friends who DO knit.

I like visiting this shop every time I am in West Seattle. I love heading to Husky Deli to grab an ice-​cream cone then traveling to this yarn shop. Most of the time when i’m in this shop i just spend a long time browsing around but I only buy a few things because I feel very overwhelmed. They have a HUGE selection of yarn but it doesn’t mean that all the yarns they well are great. They have a whole selection of cheap acrylic yarn and scratchy wool yarn that i’m not a huge fan of. Their yarns are all crammed together and its somewhat unorganized but that doesnt bother me much.
They have a very large selection of books, needles, buttons, and plenty of pattern magazines. I’m not a fan of their sock yarns though. Nothing interesting to it.
The ladies here are nice and can be helpful when you need help. They have never been pushy to me. They usually greet you when you enter and then leave you alone unless you ask them questions. The times i’ve been there, there are always at least 2 or more ladies working and knitting together next to the register.

The selection of yarns meet my needs but I am marking down stars for the unhelpful staff in the store, I have never had a welcome feeling there. The staff is usually working on their own projects at the ‘table’ with others and seem dis-​interested in anything else. I know others who have experienced the same, too bad it could be a wonderful store.

I waffle between 3 and 4 stars.
Decent yarn store but not GREAT. I am spoiled living in Seattle with so many yarn stores to choose from. :-)
Fairly large selection, but honestly I find it a bit ho-​hum.
Enormous selection of «staples» such as Cascade 220, Lamb’s Pride, Lopi, etc. so it’s great for felting projects.
Sock yarn selection is rather large but not particularly interesting. Haven’t seen anything very «artsy» except maybe the Koigu.
There is a gentleman on the staff that is simply WONDERFUL. Honestly, he is the most superbly helpful person I have EVER interacted with at a yarn store. On the flip side there is one person who works there who is flippant and obnoxious — I just cringe when I walk in and see this person.
I work in West Seattle so I do stop by on my lunch breaks from time to time but most of the time I leave without buying anything. They just don’t seem to stock the types of things that tempt me.
They don’t stock Crystal Palace needles either. :-(
One thing I really like about this store — and what makes it a bit different from other Seattle yarn stores, is the largeness of the space. There are at least three different seating areas for browsing patterns, knitting, asking for help, etc. I can’t stand walking into a tiny yarn store packed with people knitting who stare at you when you walk in the door making you, the person trying to BUY something, feel like an intruder. I’ve never felt this way at Seattle Yarn. It really is a nice atmosphere.
If I’m honest though, I’d trade the seating area for more interesting yarn and lower prices. I gotta say it’s why I love the OTHER West Seattle yarn store: Little Knits.