by aineholair on Tuesday, Jun 03 2008 at 09:57AM UTC

This is the first yarn shop that I have been into in a long time where I felt a real sense of community and home. Great to see some of the new yarns!

by KnittingKnina on Saturday, Jun 07 2008 at 02:15PM UTC

A Yarn Shop?? That's a joke!!

First Impression: NOT GOOD.

Purl Knit Cafe is an ice cream/beverage shop with yarn in the back corner. If you happen to see the internet photo with bins of yarn, the photo is terribly misleading; however it does show about 90% of their yarn selection.

Yes, there is seating - but room for knitting classes?? Not really.

The day that I visited, no one in the shop knew how to knit or how to offer any help or assistance with yarn. I was in the shop for over 20 minutes -- looking at the yarn, the knitting notions, then looking at the same yarn all over again, and listening to the ice cream/beverage clerk chitter-chatter with ice cream & coffee customers. She mentioned to one coffe customer that she didn't know how to knit and that she was surprised that "the really expensive yarns were selling". Even when the stop was empty, she never spoke to or greeted me -- she certainly didn't offer to help me with any yarn or knitting questions.

The knitting pattern selection is very limited.
The knitting book selection is very limited.
There is a decent little selction of knitting needles - yes the expensive brands: Crystal Palace and Addi Turbos.

A quote from a recent internet news article states: "Lots and lots of high-end yarn...Stuff you will not find anywhere else in Boulder (a conscious effort on the part of the founder to avoid stealing business from Shuttles Spindles & Skeins". High-end?? Yes, the shelves contain high-priced yarns. Stealing business from SS&S?? Not likely. SS&Skeins is still THE ONLY YARN SHOP in Boulder.

If you like to fill little baskets with yarn to decorate your home -- or maybe knit little scarves, this might be a place to buy your yarn. I didn't see enough yarn, of the same type and color, to make a vest. If you are not a well-skilled knitter, you might want to consider other yarn shop options. There is a good chance that you won't find anyone in the shop that can provide any assistance with yarn selection or help with your knitting projects.

Nice idea, I suppose, but Purl Knit Cafe IS NOT A YARN SHOP. They need to reconsider renaming the business to something like...."Bliss Ice Cream & Beverages ... and a little bit of Yarn" .....

by Anonymous on Saturday, Jun 14 2008 at 09:12AM UTC

To Knittingknina, I'm sorry you had a bad experience at Purl. I am the owner, Kim Troy, and I take your comments very seriously. We are new, as you know. Besides myself, I do have a staff member who is an exceptional knitter. Unfortunately, the day you visited Purl, she was on vacation and I had to attend a wedding. Usually, one of us is at the shop.

As for the yarn, my goal is to carry yarn not available in the Boulder area. We carry Blue Sky Alpaca, Debbie Bliss, Noro, Louet, Tahki, Berroco, Classic Elite, Araucania and many more.

Purl is a place for the community to gather, knit, chat, and enjoy a cup of coffee. We offer classes taught by well-known, published authors and friendly, free, help.

I hope you will come back and give us another try. You may also write to me at kim.troy@blissorganic.com.

Thank you for your feedback. We'll take your comments to heart and do our best to improve.

Kim Troy

As to your comments

by Anonymous on Sunday, Jun 15 2008 at 09:39AM UTC

Something for everyone in Boulder -- I love the selection at Shuttles, but I also love the atmosphere at Purl Knit Cafe. I just completed my first project with one of the Araucania cotton yarns which I purchased at Purl, and it was always greeted by ooohs and ahs by all who encountered me mid-project--not to mention the pleasure of working with this special fiber.

by Anonymous on Wednesday, Jul 16 2008 at 03:12PM UTC

Yes, Purl Knit is not an "arena" yarn shop like SS&S but I don't believe it wants to be. The atmosphere and friendly staff (knitters and non-knitters alike) are what draw me to Purl Knit. Remeber the name of the shop is Purl Knit Cafe not Knitters 'r Us.

by Anonymous on Sunday, Jul 20 2008 at 06:13PM UTC

I just moved from Boston a week ago to the Boulder area. I grew up here, and was excited to see a new yarn shop in town! The yarn selection is small, but I thought the store had beautiful yarns and a wonderful atmosphere. I have worked at two different yarn stores in Boston and was so excited to see some of my favorite brands on the shelves. She even has some of my favorite needles. For me, this shop is just what Boulder needed - I'm excited to see the store continue to grow.

by mlw1459 on Saturday, Aug 16 2008 at 04:24PM UTC

I visit Boulder regularly and am so very pleased to find this shop! Kim, the owner, is super, super nice and she has created a very welcoming, friendly place. I stopped in to knit for a while a couple times on my last trip and had the best time. Each time there were other knitters there as well, all having a nice time. There are several tables and individual, cushy seating as well. I felt the yarn selection was of very high quality. I particularly enjoyed sipping on a cup of tea whilst I knit away. I'm going to be a regular there whenever I am in the area! There is a great fabric shop a couple doors down too if you have a bag you want to line or a tote to sew.

by mlw1459 on Tuesday, Sep 09 2008 at 08:19PM UTC

Went by again during the Labor Day holiday and really enjoyed myself! This shop is a nice addition to Boulder and I cannot say enough about how nice Kim and her patrons are. I snagged several quality yarns, a delish salad and some lovely oolong tea. I'll be back again and again!

by Anonymous on Saturday, Sep 20 2008 at 01:05PM UTC

The large political poster in the window seemed innapropriate and unwelcoming even though it's my candidate. The music was so loud that it was unpleasant to be in the shop.

by Anonymous on Tuesday, Sep 23 2008 at 10:34AM UTC

I stopped by on a Saturday around noon to check out Purl Knit Cafe. I think some of the reviews are unnecessarily harsh. The staff were very friendly and the atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming. There isn't a huge selection, but the yarns they have are very nice, and not just "little scarf" yarns - I picked up some great sock yarn. I'm looking forward to checking out their Wednesday knit night. I was slightly put off by the political posters, but that's the owner's right to expression, and after all, it is Boulder. I think it's a cool idea to combine a coffee/ice cream shop with yarn, and I hope they stay in business.

by Anonymous on Monday, Dec 01 2008 at 12:40PM UTC

I recently took an Entrelac class at Purl Knit Cafe with Kate and I loved it! The cafe atmosphere made the class very relaxed and enjoyable. Kate was an excellent teacher and the owner Kim was also in the shop while the class was going on to talk to customers not in the class. I realize that the yarn selection is not extremely large but the atmosphere for knitting and learning was so nice and welcoming that this shop is a fantastic addition to the Boulder knitting scene.

by Anonymous on Tuesday, Jan 06 2009 at 08:31AM UTC

I love Purl Knit Cafe! It's great to find a yarn store that carries more "luxury" type yarns - I never thought I'd be able to buy Blue Sky Alpacas and Malabrigo yarns in stores, they were always an online order for me. I think it's a wonderful little yarn store, and the entire staff is lovely. Plus, the drinks from the cafe part of the store are delicious - I am officially addicted to their Pearl/Purl Tea. This store is a welcome addition to Boulder. They definitely have a loyal customer in me!

by Anonymous on Friday, Jan 09 2009 at 06:25PM UTC

I love Purl Knit Cafe too! I'm actually not a knitter at all (tried it and found I sucked at it so no one will be receiving a hand-made sweater from me anytime soon), but I love their ice cream and purl teas.

by mlw1459 on Thursday, Jan 15 2009 at 03:15PM UTC

Totally my hang out when in Boulder--like two weeks ago and this week again. I snagged several good yarns at the sale two weeks ago(like I need more yarn)and I especially love the Grace hand-dyed. Tried the organic ice cream for the first time and it is delicious! Run to this cozy, welcoming shop for some knitting fun and friendship.

by Anonymous on Wednesday, Jan 21 2009 at 10:00PM UTC

I haven't been to the store, yet... Reading comments like that "knittingKnina" makes me wish the store more luck and success, especially to keep away people with that nasty energy. She may need something more than yarn...

by Anonymous on Monday, Jan 26 2009 at 01:15PM UTC

I visited the store recently, and there were two clerks there who both seemed very knowlegeable - although they didn't know what toasties were, even after I described them (fingerless gloves). The yarn selection didn't seem extensive, but I'm still a novice and prefer to buy inexpensive yarns from Michaels for now. I will try the Wednesday night knit and look into classes there. I live in North Boulder, so it's nice to have another option that closer than SS&S in S. Boulder.

by Anonymous on Sunday, Feb 01 2009 at 05:20AM UTC

Regarding:

"By anonymous on Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 01:05PM PDT

The large political poster in the window seemed innapropriate and unwelcoming even though it's my candidate. The music was so loud that it was unpleasant to be in the shop."

This is the People's Republic of Boulder for crying out loud. That's what we *do* here. The dog boutique where I buy my dog treats has not only a campaign sign in their window, but collars, t-shirts, even treats with their favorite political candidate's image. I'm fine with it because it is my candidate too, but if it wasn't I would probably leave. That's just the way it goes around here. :)

Love Purl!!! I like being able to find the some of the yarns not available at Shuttles locally. I'm just absolutely thrilled that we have something like this in Boulder. Great concept and I wish them much success.

by Anonymous on Monday, Feb 02 2009 at 10:26AM UTC

I loved the yarns at Purl. They DO offer yarns that you can't find and Shuttles. Although the selection is small I will continue to go there because the yarns are beautiful.

by Anonymous on Saturday, Feb 14 2009 at 10:06AM UTC

I love their purl teas!!

by jengldr on Saturday, Mar 07 2009 at 10:26AM UTC

Cute little shop & cafe. Great tea. Some nice yarns that LYS don't carry. Not too much on the book selection, but not a big deal.

by Heather on Wednesday, Jul 29 2009 at 02:11PM UTC

I am an amateur and nervous knitter who recently started practicing knitting while visiting my college roommate in New Orleans for spring break. We stopped at Purl Knit while my roomate visited Colorado earlier this month. She grew up in Boulder so we had the pleasure of meeting Kim. Thoroughly enjoyed our impromptu visit and I was delighted to learn Purl Knit offers 'private' lessons! Perfect for me, a busy mom/full time teacher. I'll be calling for my private lesson very soon so I can improve my knitting skills and get to know other knitters. My roomate called yesterday to ;o) scold me for not attending my lesson yet as she knows I'm more inclined to give up at this point and blame it on my schedule. Thanks Kim!

by Heather on Wednesday, Jul 29 2009 at 02:11PM UTC

I am an amateur and nervous knitter who recently started practicing knitting while visiting my college roommate in New Orleans for spring break. We stopped at Purl Knit while my roomate visited Colorado earlier this month. She grew up in Boulder so we had the pleasure of meeting Kim. Thoroughly enjoyed our impromptu visit and I was delighted to learn Purl Knit offers 'private' lessons! Perfect for me, a busy mom/full time teacher. I'll be calling for my private lesson very soon so I can improve my knitting skills and get to know other knitters. My roomate called yesterday to ;o) scold me for not attending my lesson yet as she knows I'm more inclined to give up at this point and blame it on my schedule. Thanks Kim!

by someone very sad on Thursday, Oct 01 2009 at 04:25AM UTC

The Cafe closed! I got used to their yarn selection, and want it back! I love the hand dyed silk yarn!

by Serendipity on Tuesday, Nov 16 2010 at 01:13PM UTC

Now closed. Has been for a while, just in case anyone is trying to find it.