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My kid and I have been to yarn shops from Marin to San Mateo counties. Cottage Yarn has by far the best selection of yarns around.
It's not a pretty place, it's a serious yarn lovers paradise. Huge selection of every yarn imaginable. I haven't found a yarn shop yet in the West Bay that matches their selection.
They also carry wool winders and yarn swifts, which come in handy when you want to wind the yarn yourself!
This place is so cool. The owner will help you pick stuff out. She doesn't try to just take your money. She will give you good ideas and will even help you wrap your thick yarn. Also the place is so exciting to go to. The yarn is stacked high and everything is so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cottage Yarns has a dizzying array of yarns of all colors and national origins. Any type of yarn, from alpaca to qiviut, it's all here for you, just a short trek down the Peninsula. Cottage Yarns has all the fancy shmancy yarns, quality knitting supplies and knowledgeable staff of the boutique yarn stores in SF, but with better parking, fair (read: not jacked up) prices, and a more down to earth attitude. The only things this store doesn't offer are knitting classes or a cozy workspace for customers to hang out. But if you bring your questions, the owner is really helpful with tips and ideas regardless of your level of knitting skill. She was even able to direct me to a free knitting class in the area. How cool is that!
I finally walked in here yesterday because my knitting sister is having a birthday. They have beautiful yarns and i was told they keep them in the bags to add a little order. The ladies there were extremely helpful and helped me find the perfect gift.
It is a make yourself at home place and they have just beautiful things, all you need is knitting know how...
I went here on suggestion from a knitting teacher at a local community center. I was very excited when I walked in--the rainbow of colors was gorgeous. The list of different types of yarns is pretty much endless--soy, silk, wool, bamboo, sugar cane.... I can't remember any of the others off hand.
When I was approached by the worker I explained that I was a new knitter and was getting frustrated with cheaper yarn (and the way it frays if you stitch and restitch while you're learning), and would rather pay more for higher quality products. She looked annoyed. I explained that I wanted to knit a scarf for my child. She didn't even ask about my preference, and lead me to a section. My daughter grabbed a ball of yarn and we bought that one. I also selected a rather expensive yarn that made my heart skip a beat. She acted annoyed throughout my entire transaction.
Over the next few days I discovered that I didn't have enough yarn and went back. It was then that she told me that reason it had not been stored neatly in a bag was because it was the last ball. I was bummed, but moved on quickly. She stood next to the door hovering over me, making me feel that she suspected I was going to run off with her supplies.
This was when I smelled the odor of cigarette smoke. While I did not smell it in the store or on the yarn, I did find it offensive that someone who has been praised for being so helpful by others--smells so bad that I wouldn't want to get close to her.
I purchased a different yarn, and another ball of the yarn I thought was so great. I asked her about a little technique issue, which for a beginner should open up to offering me some guidance (which I read they're generous with) and she acted like I was an annoyance.
As I left I vowed to never return. They do have wonderful stuff and their selection is great. I would like to enjoy shopping, and I didn't.
This was a wonderful place to peruse through a beautiful selection of yarns. There were many lovely brands of yarn along with a fairly good selection of knitting and crocheting supplies and some reference materials.
HOWEVER, the yarns were stocked and kept in large plastic bags. I had to pull a bag and pull the skein out of the bag, which made me feel intrusive. Pricing was not readily available either. Some plastic bags had pricing information but, for the most part, there was one price list for a wall of yarn. Most importantly, the staff is not very helpful or friendly. The three stars are, strictly, for the wonderful selection.
I've been a customer of Cottage Yarns since 2001. They've always stocked an amazing selection of yarns, buttons, pattern books, and so on. And now that Kathryn has taken over, there's even more. I think the prices are well within the range of other Bay Area LYSs and the customer service is great! Don't worry that yarn is kept in plastic bags - it's fine to dig in and check it out the yarns.
Also of note - Cottage Yarns has good sales several times a year. Whether you are new to knitting or an experienced knitter, you will need to go back again and again just to take in all that Kathryn and Cottage Yarns have to offer.
I'm surprised at some of the other yelper's negative experience. I am Asian and was not treated any differently from the other customer's in the store.
Granted, the yarn in plastic bags took some getting used to but I had no problem opening up bags to touch the yarn inside. The selection is very good and Katherine couldn't be nicer.
SInce my visit last week, she has called me twice with follow up on my special order of ADDI TURBO lace needles and sock yarn and I am looking forward to my return to this yarn store.
This is a neighborhood yarn store with reasonable prices. Since the remodel the lighting has become much better and the overview has improved tremendously.
There is something for everyone, if you are serious about starting a project, you don't have to leave empty handed. Kathryn is all about returning customers, so she won't sell you anything that you don't need.
I also don't mind the yarn in bags. There is never any problem opening a bag and touching the yarn.
Having said all that, the best part I think are the buttons. I have yet to come across another store with a similarly great button selection. So the store is worth a visit, even if you are not a knitter. Cause, who doesn't need pretty buttons in their artful life once in a while?
I loved cottage yarns until the owner took advantage of me. I was making a blanket and wasn't sure how much yarn I needed.
She told me its better that I buy a whole bag (10 skeins) of each color (3 colors) so I would be guaranteed one lot. She assured me it would be no problem to return it if I purchased too much. She said as long as I return the extra yarn within 60 days I would get a full refund.
I came back in 8 days after the purchase (with about $80 of yarn to return) and she said she doesn't give refunds. She gave me store credit.
I just recently used the store credit and will never go back. Even when I told her how upset I was she didn't care.
I would not have purchased that amount if she would have been honest and told me that all I would get is store credit. I feel that she was dishonest.
Support your local Mom-n-Pop shop!
It's a quaint place, stuffed to the brim with many varieties of yarn. I went in during my second week of knitting, and the owner took some time out of working on a sweater to show me the different kinds of wool I could choose from. The prices aren't always marked; she handwrites prices, theyre consistently on the specialty yarn and knitting hardware.
I'm always able to find exactly the yarn that inspires me, and she offers weekly knitting groups for a modest fee. She does have a family, so is not open late most weeknights.
I like having a relationship with a shop-owner I know has been knitting since before it was trendy.
I've been going to Cottage Yarn since 1997, way before the days of Imagiknit and Noe Yarn. They have a wonderful selection of yarn but presentation does leave something to be desired. Yes, this is your grandmother's yarn store. It helps a great deal if you already knew what you wanted going in. I love looking through her sale baskets. You can usually find great bargains if you dig deep enough. One time I got 5 balls of Rowan Cashmerino Aran for $4.50 each. Score! They also have a great selection of buttons and if you come in with a little one, they have an odd buttons basket that your kidlet can look through and pick out a few to take home.
There always seems to be a bunch of regulars congregated at the work table whenever I've gone in. They kind of look at you askance, but I just ignore the old biddies. The owner, Mary Lou, on the other hand, has been nothing but nice and helpful. And generous. For several years, she has donated gift certificates and knitted items for my children's school fundraiser. And she has also let me use my credit card though my purchase did not meet the minimum requirement. I wish I could shop here all the time, but couldn't possibly afford to.
Cottage Yarns is a good place to buy yummy yarn. There's isn't a lot of room, so its business only and no play. Katherine is wonderful to me every time, isn't snobby, and hasn't ever pressured me to buy more than I need. Plus she offers a group discount :) I wish there was more room to browse, and thats why it isn't 5 stars.
Worst experience ever! I've been there 3-5 times and each time I left with an uncomfortable feeling in the pit in my stomach mainly about the way the owner treated my visit. Decided to take my Mom for a recent visit and was embarrassed for her experience which is exactly the same experience I walked away with 3-5 times earlier. Owner asked before we even walked into the store if she could help, we told her we were browsing, she then decided to follow us around the store - everywhere we went she stood there not saying anything as if to say - you are not welcome. Store is so crowded, yarn is in opaque plastic bags and can't see hardly anything (probably moth problem) and pricing is somewhere on the end of the stile. Definitely a lot of stock but one must go there knowing exactly what they want and not use it as a place for inspiration, etc. I've never been so unpleasantly treated in a knitting store (actually, any store) and all the experiences my mother, who is an expert knitter, has exposed me to have been incredibly positive and I was only quite embarrassed I could not return the favor to her at Cottage Yarns. Never will go there again. Communknity San Jose - please come back!!!
It's very good to know that there's a yarn store in South City - it can save a trip into SF or further south and there's some reasonable yarns here. However the stock is crammed in and the lighting isn't great, and there's no perceivable order to the place. Definitely not a place for a casual browser or newbie. Not an overall good experience for anyone. However I think this store has been around way longer than the knitting wave of the last couple of years so at least they were flying the (knitted) flag!
I know my aunt loves to shop here so I went to get my aunt a gift certificate. Katherine was at the cash register and she told me that they do offer them. I also looked around for something small to add to the gift certificate. Katherine pointed me to a couple of suggestions. The place is filled to the brim with yarn and yarn accouterments. They have some very nice yarns. And Katherine helped me to put together a great gift for my aunt.
I've taken SO's mom here on more than one occasion and am always impressed by their vast selection. I think they're kinda expensive and agree that pricing is not transparent.
My new yarn home - I admit, the place is a bit overwhelming - yarn from floor to ceiling, but yummy, gorgeous choices and more buttons than any place I've ever seen, with more to come, the owner tells me. The yarn in the plastic bags doesn't bother me - No problem with opening the package to feel the yarn; I appreciate knowing there will be enough of the dye lot I need for me to finish my project. Good selection of patterns and books, lots of help picking out just the right pattern and yarn for my newest (of many) projects.
The owner was very cordial and welcoming - I'm sold.
I've gone to this shop twice so far. I love it! The selection is amazing. Plus the owner is so helpful and friendly. She was very attentive and eager to introduce me to the many varieties of yarn available. I would recommend this cute little shop to anyone who loves knitting or crochet. It's a definite hidden treasure. I only wish I knew about it sooner!
Prices are better than SF yarn stores, selection and quantity is better, and service is far superior. Walk in with a sweater idea and Kathryn will work out the number of skeins and needles for you. She doesn't try to upsell you and she knows her way around the wool.
I can't really say enough good things about my experiences at Cottage Yarns - while I live in the East Bay, it is truly one of my favourite yarn shops in the Bay area. I was introduced to Cottage Yarns and Kathryn by a mentor who is acutely aware of about every yarn store within a 70 mile radius, and CY rates very high on her list. They have a fantastic selection of yarns - and yes the store can appear to be stuffed to the gills, but discovery is part of the fun, and if you need to focus on something specific all you have to do is ask. What I especially like is Kathryn herself - besides being outright friendly and fun to talk with, on more than one occaision I have posed a problem, to which she has always countered with a creative, yet logical, and effective solution. I only wish I lived closer to SSF to be able to hang out there more often, but when I do make the trip, it is always worth it, and then some.
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Category: Art Supplies
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