Art Fibers Gallery
124 Sutter St
Ste 2
(between Lick Pl & Trinity Pl)
San Francisco, CA 94104 (415) 956-6319
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sun 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Garage, Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
9 reviews
San Anselmo, CA
"I was extremely nervous about trying on wedding dresses and have been putting it off for a few months. I'm not a girly girl (see my review…" read more »
30 Reviews for Art Fibers Gallery
everything about this yarn store is great.
- staff is super helpful
- have a seat and try out samples of the yarn before purchase
- good selection
BUT good lawd its expen$$ive. do they make it in the back room or what? I love knitting and wearing/giving away my crafts, but I can't justify $100 projects. I was trying to talk myself into it...you made it, its one of a kind, you don't knit that often...but i still couldn't bring myself to do it.
I was so excited to find out there was a yarn/knitting store near my work. I grabbed my friend, and we made a lunch hour dash to find this little store tucked away in Downtown SF. My anticipation built as we climbed those steps up to the store...
Well, it's small and expensive. I didn't buy anything. :(
It was packed, which was good - because then I didn't feel guilty about not buying anything. The sales folks were kept busy - but it's not like any of them talked to me anyway.
I like the small location, but with small comes lack of selection. And what is up with the prices? I know these are some unique yarns, but geez! $150 for a sweater that I'll have to knit myself? I think not!
I do love the little seating area where you can knit swatches to see if you like the yarn you're going to buy. And I like that they offer classes.
Sad to say, this store really didn't have what I needed, and that includes the extra expense. My friend and I walked out empty handed that day. I'm sure this store is great for the advanced knitter who has need for their unique yarns, and has a bigger budget than I. Nothing wrong with that. This place just isn't for me. I'm hoping to look into a class, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
This is a hidden little place in the Financial District that has some funky hours. Check their website or call before going on the weekends. Their selection of yarns includes some really unique colors and textures. They also offer knitting classes and has a corner of the store that has a bunch of "trial" yarn so you can be sure you're buying the right yarn.
Artfibers is one of a kind...truly. All who love yarn need to experience this place at least once. The yarns they have are so unique - luscious and vibrant and lovely. You will find things here that you have never seen before. The staff is wonderful - they have this great sweater making machine that I have used a few times with great results. And the fact that you can try yarn out in the tasting bar is so neat. True, it is on the pricey side, but I think that you get what you pay for, and it's not so far off of what most fibers are costing these days. Save the cheap stuff for gifts and treat yourself to a gorgeous sweater with their yarns.
I work downtown so is convient. I do have to say that this shop generally overwhelms me because the yarns are so beautiful. Their selection of silk/mohair yarns is unbeatable and knits up wonderful.
I was chattn' with the lady who works there and she told me about this cool thing they do. They will create a customized sweater pattern designed specifically for your measurements and yarn guage for $10/$20.
Art Fibers is not your run of the mill yarn store. There selection is eclectic, inspiring and sometimes a bit weird. A really helpful staff and friendly knitster atmosphere.
There free swatching program is great. You get to test drive the yarn before plunking down some serious cash. That's a real selling point as the yarns can be pricey here. They can also be one of kinds you'll find no place else. As others have mentioned buy more than you need as it may never appear again.
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If you're searching for originality in yarn form, Art Fibers is one of those places to run and find it. As is apparently the case with all crazy sorts of yarn stores, Art Fibers is a bit hard to find. It's on the second floor of a cute little building, but the sign is quite visible, and the reward is fiber from floor to ceiling.
My first thought, upon walking in, was pure intimidation. I could not believe it -- all the rich colorways, all sorts of fiber combinations ... it's more than can ever be expressed on the website. It just has to be seen, and see it I did. They custom mix their own yarns, so what you get at Art Fibers, you're unlikely to get anywhere else. They even let you test knit swatches! It's called yarn-tasting, and it's oh-so-much fun. Also, they offer cones, which is a huge plus. Knitting off cones is great for home, because you never have to worry about a little ball rolling around. However, if you do decide to get a ball, theirs are wound onto foam rolls, which people often put onto toilet paper holders -- an interesting method of dispensing yarn.
I would recommend Art Fibers if you're looking for a bit of adventure, but I would also caution to buy as much yarn as you need (and probably some insurance), because you can never be sure they'll have what you need if and when you return. The yarn is a bit pricey overall, but the fibers are amazing and so is the staff. I'd say to stop by Art Fibers at least once -- however, once you've gone once, you feel the need to return over and over again. :)
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Art Fibers is the yarn store of my dreams. The yarn here is inspiring and the staff is friendly and helpful. You can also sample the yarn for free! I was short a small amount of yarn to finish up the fringe on my scarf one time and they let me have some for free from their sample section. Horrah! I also love that they have classes even though I've yet to participate. I knocked off one star b/c they're pricey but sometimes they have amazing clearances on imperfect batches of yarns.
They have quite a unique selection of different colors and as I was informed everything is made for their company so if you are trying to find something similar don't expect to find it! They could however help you match it up with something similar!! Make sure you get enough of what you need because who knows they might discontinue the line the next time you go!!!
Artfibers is a really interesting (in a good way) yarn shop. They carry mostly yarns made from luxury fibers (lots of silk), and as lots of other people have pointed out, it's all unique to the shop.
While their yarns aren't inexpensive, they also aren't outrageous compared to other yarns made with luxury fibers. 250g/ 1120 yards of 100% silk (Hana) costs 60 bucks at Artfibers, whereas 100g/ 437 yards of 70% silk/ 30% seacell (Handmaiden SeaSilk) costs around $35 at many yarn shops and online.
Artfibers also sells their yarns by the cone as well as the skein, which is nice for minimizing ends to be woven in later. I find their yarns to be perfect for knitting lace stoles and shawls.
Some of the most unusual and creative hand-dyed yarns I've ever seen are hiding out here at the Art Fibers Gallery in downtown Union Square. I never would have known about it, had it not been for good fortune and the always helpful word-of-mouth.
The yarns aren't a steal, but you will see some truly unique stuff. It's remarkable how long they've been around, and how I managed not to spend all of my life-savings there.
By the way, you're all getting hats for Christmas. Ugly, misshapen, itchy, wool hats from Hell.
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Fell into this place accidently years ago. Convinced the co-workers to make a field trip here a few months ago...we have been yarn crazy since. Staff here is wonderful, some of the most knowledgeable I've come across. Ask Kira to write a pattern for you. All yarns are custom made for this store. I'm now a yarn store ho.
Hey Anna B........Can I get a dime bag?
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This is a really unique fiber store. I ran into Art Fibers by accident today while Christmas shopping. When I walked up the stairs, I expected to see skeins and skeins of yarn, but to my surprise all I saw was cones and cones of yarn. This is a very interesting place, they have very unique and one of a kind colors here. Apparently, they buy the yarn and dye it themselves. I always wanted to try to dye my own yarn, but I was never that ambitious to try it on my own. I think that it is cool how you can just pick the yarn that you want, weigh it and wind it in a ball by yourself. It was kind of unexpected and took awhile to get use to it. Might be kind of intimidating to first time knitters though. They have nice swatches of everything, so you do not have to guess what everything will look like when knitted up. The interesting thing is that they have samples of everything so if you have your needles with, you can knit up your own swatch and take it apart and put it back in the sample drawer. I think a lot of people do not realize and are surprised with how expensive yarn can be, but luxury fibers are expensive. The staff is extremely helpful and will help with measurements and whatever else you will need. I would definitely shop here again.
The yarn selection is vast, but prohibitively expensive. I'm a beginning knitter and I didn't know how much it cost to purchase yarn. I thought all scarves cost $50 to make.
There was one employee who helped me find needles, and said that if I learn with circular needles first, I would save money (even though they cost more), because when you become more advanced you will be using circular needles. So I took her advice and skimped out on the regular needles and got the circular ones. The next day I went back during lunch break to look at yarn, and she obviously didn't remember me, because she tried to sell me regular needles again, and said that I should be using them first (???)
Anyway, she was a nice lady, and I don't take offense to it, because she helped me fix my nasty scarf. I also took a beginner's knitting class there, with Amy Backos. It was decent. Amy was really helpful. The class went by really fast though, and I missed out on a few things because she went too fast (e.g. how to bind new yarn). I would recommend this store if you're looking to make a FANCY gift and if you're a very good knitter. Otherwise, it's not worth $50 to practice.
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This is my preferred yarn store in the city. They make their own one-of-a-kind yarns...this means you will not buy a ball of yarn from them and then see it at another store 2 days later for $5 cheaper.
They do have some basic yarns, but their specialty is colorful luxury fiber blends such as silk/mohair, silk/pima cotton, merino/silk...etc. Prices are on the high side, but the yarn is pretty high-end. You are allowed to make test swatches of any yarn, and they are generous with the free samples and patterns.
I also like the classes offered at ArtFibers. Prices for classes used to be a bit cheaper, but even now at $30 for 3 hours, it's still one of the best deals in the city. Just as a comparison, a "Beginning Knitting" class is $80 for 2 ours at both Atelier Yarn and Imagiknit.
I love this place! I came here to take a class on Knitting 101 with Amy Backos! She is awesome and a great teacher! Very calm and doesn't make you feel stupid when you do something wrong. She actually helps you understand what you did wrong and how you can fix it. I made my first scarf. This is a great place to take classes for all your creative needs and a place to pick up different yarns for your projects. Definitely coming back for more!!!
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I was crafting a long time ago and just got back in the groove. I used to dislike this place but gave it a second chance recently and now am addicted. It's like a crack den for crafters. Seriously, I go there and just rack up the CC. Really nice silks, wools, etc. Great for the tactile fetishist. Excellente.
This place is crap.
You have to go up an oh-mother-of-god-this-is-how-I-die elevator to a cramped. musty hallway of a shop filled with cold metal racks packed with only what they have specially spun and dyed. It's all about the color of mold, afrizz with mohair and tinsel, and $40 for a crab apple sized ball. And they don't stock books or patterns, rather they have a shop-written computer program that helps you churn out your own garterstitch tent. The color of tinsel-y mold. For $600. Oy.
The yarns are super nice, but when all the knitting you do is for the under-10 set, there is absolutely nothing for you.
Still, the employee was very nice and helpful, pointing out their more "durable" yarns (read: not made of silk and cashmere and magical fairy dust or whatever makes one freaking skein worth 25 bucks), and the ladies knitting seemed to be enjoying themselves. If I weren't so antisocial I might come here during my lunch breaks (it being so close to my office does appeal to my laziness) to look down on Sutter and knit. Well, antisocial and cheap, I guess, as I haven't ever made anything justifiably worth yarn that expensive.
Then again, it's been a while since I've made anything for people who don't regularly spill juice down their fronts or outgrow their clothes in four months, so maybe when I move on to adult sizes (and a bigger paycheck), I'll come back.
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Artfibers is one of the yummiest yarn shops I've seen to date. Amazing yarns -- the gourmet of LYSs (local yarn shop)! Ooooh the textures! YUM! I love that they have samples of all their yarns out in the lounge where you can pick up the sticks and test it out before you buy. I need to get back there with a few hours on my hands along with a list of projects. Don't pass this place by if you're in SF!
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I feel winter on the horizon, and it deeply saddens me! The flip-flops will go into hibernation mode, and the tan will fade...but the scarves and hats will flourish. Which means I'll be reconnecting w/ my knitting habit soon!
Art Fibers, a downtown knitting shop/gallery/lounge has a great selection of imported fine yarns (not cheap) and an exceptionally helpful staff. The various weekend workshops (for knitters of all levels) are fairly priced and a lot of fun. This is where I learned to knit (not well, but still....)
Oh, and if Indian Summer is valid this yr, feel free to knit yourself a bikini. Now that is HOT & WARM!
http://www.yarndesign....
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Things I love about Artfibers: really helpful staff, you can get free patterns with a yarn purchase, the sit n' swatch area, some of the unique yarns.
Things I don't love so much about artfibers: needles are really marked up in price, the yarn although totally worth it is really darn expensive, the mill valley-ish vibe a little dredlocked miss like myself gets from some of the other customers.
Prices are a bit high, but aren't they always now a days. What is so special about Art Fibers is that a) they create all of their own unique yarns to offer even the most seasoned knitter something new and b) the yarn is pre-spun around a tube...so there are never knots!
I recommend the Kyoto yarn. It's super soft and when I made a yarn out of it, I couldn't stop petting it :)
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Like many of my friends, I jumped on the knitting wagon last year. I have to say that it's a relaxing activity. This is where I learned to knit. The instructor Amy was the most patient person whenever I messed up. She would unravel my mistakes and correct it for me.. This a great place to learn to knit. The workshops are great.. Nice selection of yarns but rather expensive.
I had heard that this was a neat knitting shop that creates their own yarn. While, the yarn was very nice, it was a bit on the spendy side. Since I am not on the lookout for new yarn (I am totally stocked for the next three years), I didn't buy anything. Although they have a nice website, so I may be back once my personal stash runs out.
I learned to knit with classes here, and they were extremely nice and helpful. You get a discount on your purchase after class, so I splurged and got some nice yarn. I call this the Neiman Marcus of yarn stores. I look alot, but don't buy much. I made a scarf that cost about $50 in yarn - what was I thinking! I would shop here if I were 1) knitting my wedding dress 2) making a treasured object for someone special 3) a wealthy middle-aged SF lady with money to burn and nothing to do but shop for yarn
The yarn at this shop is incredibly beautiful (seriously stunning fibers and colors). It's extremely expensive, but worth it to find yarn you can't buy anywhere else. However, I ended up being mad at myself for buying it since every single time I've been in there since purchasing it, the staff has been extraordinarily rude.
Amy is the only nice and helpful person there. Everyone else you must have to tip to pay attention to you. Honestly, if you're going to shell out a few hundred for a sweater, the least they can do is answer your pattern questions. My advice is to call ahead and see when Amy is working.
their yarns remind me of marin county ... this is where the past-middle-aged, hippy-turned-yuppy women shop for yarns. you know - the ones who wear magnetic jewelry and are into crystals and go to drum circles to dance naked on the beach during full moons. don't get me wrong - the store is chock full of beauuuuutiful yarns. but it didn't see many choices for say, a man's scarf or anything you'd knit for a baby.
that being said, i spent $100 there buying yarn for 2 scarves. one for me and one for my bf (i bought the sumo yarn which is turning out quite nicely - it's a little soft since it's mostly silk but i think manly enough too).
what i like best is their website. they have lovely pictures of their yarn and i find myself visiting often to browse.
art fibers is often a quick fix at lunchtime for me. beautiful yarns. helpful staff. a great place for inspiration. granted, the yarn is a bit pricey, but for what you're getting (unique. beautiful. just a joy to knit with) ... i suppose it's worth it.
they're having a GREAT sale right now, btw.
The gourmet of local yarn shops is right - Artfibers is for when you're feeling rich and chic. Since I rarely feel that way, Artfibers is more of a look don't touch kind of store for me, but I enjoy getting a couple of yarn-tasting samples every now and then, and seeing how the other half lives/knits. It's also good for lunch break yarn ogling or getting a pair of needles when you're downtown and just HAVETOSTARTAPROJECTRIGHTNOW! And the yarn? Yes, the yarn is gorgeous. It's unique and well-made, and perfect if you want to knit a lacy scarf for a middle-aged friend (and with Christmas around the corner, this may be more applicable than normal). I did once make two toddler sweaters from Artfibers yarn (washable too!), but they don't carry it anymore, and I think those "younger" yarns are few and far between at Artfibers. That being said, these women love yarn and you can't fault anyone for that.
Oh I almost forgot - their sweater-making computer program is just about the neatest application of technology into crafting that I've ever seen. You can buy a copy of it for home use, or just use it in the store (for free!). They take all the variables: size/measurements (you can just guess if you don't have exact numbers), yarn type, tension (you can knit up a little swatch in the store to figure out your tension), and style (design the sweater you want right there: turtleneck? cardigan? turtleneck-cardigan?) and it will spit you back out an exact knitting pattern in Microsoft Word, and tell you how much yarn you need. I'm sorry, but that's just brilliant.
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