by sarah on Monday, Nov 23 2009 at 07:51PM UTC

Fantastic selection and the atmosphere and owner very warm and friendly. Close to home. Definitely will be back.

by erinknits on Saturday, Nov 28 2009 at 09:47AM UTC

I was all excited to visit this new store when I was up in Ottawa for the weekend. The first time I went, they were closed for a week (a couple of weeks after their grand opening, wtf?) The next time I went they were open, but I wasn't terribly impressed. I know she's new, but the selection was slim, and seemed to lack any cohesion; Red Heart and Tilli Tomas practically side by side.

The location's a little sketchy, and it's absolutely tiny, not much room for growth at all.

I think the owner, who seems really nice, needs to take a moment to figure out what her action plan is, as it stands it just seems to be a bit of a mish-mash.

Not to be all negative though, I am really excited to see some excellent yarns finally available in Ottawa, so my boyfriend's sister can finally get some of it herself! I think the owner could have a great niche if she focused on fleshing out her yarn selection in these brands!

by lisalovesknitting on Monday, Nov 30 2009 at 05:59PM UTC

Hi,
I was visiting Ottawa a couple weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised when I found Yarns Etc. I was looking for some yarn to make a baby blanket for my sister-in-law but also some general accessories that I did not already have (yeah, I was just looking to do some good ol' fashion shopping! :) ). This store was part of the downtown core, but on a side street which was not overflowing with traffic so right from the start it helped to build the relaxed atmosphere that I was looking for before even going into the store!

Upon entering the store, I was really excited to see on my right side a great selection of yarns and just like a jewelry store, the more expensive yarns behind glass casing. I'm not sure what erinknits was talking about when she said that Red Heart and Tilli Tomas was side by side because if she knew anything about yarns she'd know that Red Heart is a generic brand and Tilli Tomas is a high end yarn and was therefore behind glass casing (someone needing glasses perhaps?...) While the store had regular brands that you would normally see in a department store, it also carried a lot more worldly selections of yarns, ranging from North and South America to Asia, that were very reasonable priced.

The owner, I believe her name is Seema (I picked up a business card so I could order yarns from her store and have it shipped to me!) was so unbelievable genuine and helpful. There are yarn stores in Toronto and I've practically been to all of them but I've never found any of the store's representatives as helpful and willing as Seema. She not only had the customer service down packed but she also knew her yarns, which is a rare combo for me to find!

When I return to Ottawa for my next visit, I'll definitely be visiting this store to stock up on my personal inventory! :)

by Kate on Friday, Jan 01 2010 at 10:53PM UTC

She had to close because there were electrical problems with the building that needed to be fixed.

by Jess on Sunday, Jan 24 2010 at 01:40AM UTC

Hey,
Does anyone know if they have re-opened? I wanted to go and check this store out but I don't want to make the trip if she is still closed

by Mirianda on Tuesday, Jan 26 2010 at 02:35PM UTC

She was opened when I went there 2 weeks ago.

by Emmy on Friday, Feb 12 2010 at 09:51PM UTC

The store is definitely open! I have been in and browsed often since discovering its existence in early January. Just this week I bought some yarn to make a cardigan-at a super great price.
I like that she carries lower (but still quality) to higher end yarns, and, as someone else pointed out, natural fibres and yarns from various geographical locations.
In speaking with her recently, she commented that she is bringing in more Canadian suppliers, too, ones with lovely silks and wools-yea! She showed me some of the samples, and they are lovely, and will be a super great price, too. She is also planning to knock a wall out and expand, eventually, but she can't do that without customers :) From the business that she has been getting from word of mouth alone, I think we should look for that expansion in the next year-yippee.
It's nice to have a choice of items that are different than those carried by other yarn stores. I look forward to seeing the store develop and grow as people learn about it and visit, and as the owner becomes more familiar with her clientele.

by Blair on Friday, Mar 05 2010 at 08:21PM UTC

I stumbled upon this store while killing time between classes and was a little shocked and appalled that there had been a yarn shop so close to me for four months without my knowing about it. The lady who runs this shop is very very nice and has good working knowledge of her yarn selection. Like other people, I would have liked to see a little more variety, but hey, she's new, it'll come in time. Meanwhile I picked up some of the beautiful wool she has at present, I suggest others do the same!

by Natalie on Saturday, May 15 2010 at 05:38PM UTC

I finally visited this store the other day (I live an hour from Ottawa) and I wish I'd gone sooner. I found some really interesting yarns and the owner was charming and helpful. I love her goal of eventually opening a knit-café!

Seema (owner) was telling me about new yarns she bringing in, and she is working on a website as well. I'll definitely go back.

by Sharon on Saturday, May 29 2010 at 06:15AM UTC

I just love going to this store. Spud and Chloe is just to die for. I bought this yarn and started my project with it and wow....amazing. The store owner was right! Thank you.

by cdavis6 on Tuesday, Jul 20 2010 at 12:38PM UTC

July 16th i was in ottawa for a wedding and looked up Yarn etc. Nice shop and friendly staff.

by sarah on Wednesday, Jul 21 2010 at 09:58PM UTC

yarns etc is a great store it has everything yet a tiny store!

by lisalovesknitting on Monday, Jul 26 2010 at 03:13AM UTC

I went back and bought some HiyaHiya knitting needles and some of the vogue knitting mags, I'm working on a shawl from one of them now. Seema just recently introduced Manos Del Uruguay to her selection, I can't wait to go back and buy some from her.

by Callunal on Tuesday, Aug 24 2010 at 04:06PM UTC

I love Yarns etc and Seema! This is my LYS and I couldn't be happier. I appreciate the fact that the variety is here and Seema isn't afraid to stock it! I can pick up Spud and Chloe, but I can also pick up some dishcloth cotton or acrylics without having to head out to a box store in the 'burbs. I've enjoyed watching how the store has evolved over the past (almost) year and I can see that Seema really listens to her customers wants and needs. Seema's prices are completely in line with the other downtown yarn shops and you get unsurpassed attention and service from her.

by zilliah on Saturday, Aug 28 2010 at 02:20AM UTC

This is a fantastic little store! It's got a wide variety of yarns, from cheaper to reeeeally gorgeous and expensive, I'm impressed with how much fits in there! The owner was super nice and friendly, I had a lovely chat with her. I wish I lived near here, this would be a great LYS!

Oh, and she had a couple bundles of roving, but they were stacked with the yarns and had gotten a little pilled. But I guess that's ok since she doesn't seem to be focussing on spinners?

Great store!

by Mandy on Monday, Oct 18 2010 at 01:43PM UTC

I have taken 1 class here so far and it was great. I had a bit of experience so I had gone in to learn how to follow a pattern. I very much enjoyed the hour of knitting and the owner was super friendly and informative. She was very welcoming. I have confidence that she will be able to teach me how to knit just about anything.

by Sherley on Saturday, Dec 11 2010 at 08:37PM UTC

Yesterday I went to the store for the second time and had my first knitting lesson with Seema and it was fantastic, she was very patient and informative and I felt very at ease. The store is very lovely and I really love the idea that she wants to open a knit-café, it would be the perfect spot to take a break from classes and relax.

by Georgette Burnside on Thursday, Apr 28 2011 at 06:16PM UTC

I have been several times to this shop and I marvel every time at how she manages to stock such a variety of yarn in a small store. I'm not sure who is the owner but I've always been greeted with a friendly hello and a big smile. I love going there and can't wait for the knit-cafe !!!