by Sam - On Hooks and Needles on Saturday, Feb 28 2009 at 07:36AM UTC

While the greeting was a friendly one (a cute dog greeted us at the door) and the owner was also very nice, I can't say that the store lived up to its name. The store was small and sorta dark inside. There were shelves along each wall but the selection of yarn was very disappointing. There were WAAAAY too many synthetics and novelty yarns for my taste. It seemed like the novelty yarns were a third of the selection. The shelves were untidy and the labeling was inconsistent. There were NO crochet hooks anywhere - not that it means the store isn't crochet friendly. And as far as the "Bead Gallery" ... very disappointing. There was a basket of beads on the floor near the back, and some shelves with strings of beads laid out. Very disorganized and nothing had prices. If you ask me, too much money was spent on the fancy little shopping bags instead of on the yarn and bead inventory.

But - the store was cute and the ladies who were felting projects in the store were having a wonderful time. The owner was very friendly and her customers were happy. Selection aside, you can't underestimate the importance of good, friendly customer service. This is still a store worth checking out.

by Anonymous on Tuesday, Mar 10 2009 at 02:41PM UTC

I visited all the yarn shops in Santa Fe. This one really made me feel welcome. The shop owner , the women knitting all were haveing a great time. I felt included. The shop is small and the yarn selection limited. But still is had a great feel and that to me is important

by judy anderson on Tuesday, Jul 28 2009 at 11:46AM UTC

Last week, I visited the store for the second time. The owner was most helpful, and friendly. We visited and talked knitting for almost an hour. I bought a pattern and have ordered a yarn I had been looking for. Another plus is that the shop is walking distance from the Plaza.

by knitgal on Thursday, Sep 17 2009 at 02:59PM UTC

Any place that has a dog greet me puts a smile on my face immediately. Also knit stores with comfy couches for my husband to sit in and wait is a big plus, which was there. Oodles is in a beautiful space and unlike others, I don't find the lighting to be an issue. There were plenty of halogens to shine light on yarn.

I will agree with "Sam" that the selection did not excite me as much as it could (and I don't necessarily have a problem with novelty yarns, and *definitely* don't have a problem with anything Trendsetter Yarns makes, yet there was a lot of it). The cubby holes the yarn was in was just a tad small to get my big hands in and see what was what - and yes, a review of price posting would be most helpful. Yarns are sorted by gauge which I thought was really cool.

The two yarn selections that were exciting were a bit out of my price point for the day: A stunning bison blend ($33 for about 124 (150?) yards), and a collection of locally hand dyed, mixed texture yarns bundled together, very beautiful at about $100. If I were doing the tourist thing, I would definitely have taken some home.

Note: If you are walking to this store from the Plaza - go through the *parking lot* of the Hilton Hotel to get to it, not through the *hotel* (as we were advised).

by Rita Gay on Saturday, Mar 13 2010 at 05:32AM UTC

Bev,
I have not heard from you in quite some time and wonder if my bag has sold. I truly hope some woman has found it and has purchased it.
Let me know.
Rita Gay
r916j@cableone.net
903-893-1955
Sherman, TX

by Virginia A. Cavalluzzo on Sunday, Jul 25 2010 at 06:22PM UTC

On Thursday afternoon, July 22, I visited your booth at the Handweavers Convergence confernce. I was very impressed by the types and quality of yarns on display. I also was delighted with the patterns for various projects.

I purchased two skeins of Ozark Opulent yarn (#2115 - Steal) to make the shawl that was on display. When I got home and sorted through my purchases from that day, I discovered that I had the original charge slip which I signed and you need for your records. I will mail it to you tomorrow, Monday, when I go to the post office. I'm sorry about the mix up.

I am interested in purchasing one more skein of the same yarn if it is still available. You can reach me at my email address noted above.

Sincerely,
Ginny Cavalluzzo

by G. Durkin on Sunday, Mar 20 2011 at 02:45PM UTC

Living in Santa Fe and having several yarn shops to choose from, each being very different, I always end up at Oodles Yarn and Bead Gallery. The owner and anyone there "hanging out" and knitting is always very friendly and welcoming. The yarn selections are varied and offer many possibilites especially after the owner gets involved and gives you her many suggestions. She also encourages you to come back in for help with your project and is eager to make sure you knit a successful project no matter what your skill level is. This is a very creative and knowledgable shop owner. She is an amzing knitter her self and designs numerous original designs which seem to inspire her regular customers as well as the many visitors to Santa Fe. Creativity seems to flow from this lovely shop.
How lucky I am to live near such an inspiring yarn shop!

by LadyHawke on Sunday, Mar 20 2011 at 04:07PM UTC

When you need tender love and care to keep you out of trouble with your knitting projects, Oodles is the place to be! In the last 8 mornths, I've rediscovered how much I love knitting (read that as almost addictive) and Oodles has become my home away from home. The owner, Bev, has the patience of an angel -- I'm speaking from first-hand experience on numerous projects. Her #1 assistant, Mary, ranks right up there with her. I find the completed garments on dispaly a great source of inspiration; they've been designed and created mostly by Bev and Mary. Plus, input and help is always gleefully provided by the many customers that sink into the comfy coaches to knit and talk, talk and knit! I've never been a groupie, but Oodles has become my exception.