DomesticMiss's Profile

Made on Sat Apr 12 00:42:21 -0700 2008 about Purl Soho

Purl is a world-wide web celebrity. Everyone that takes a trip to the Apple makes this a sure pit-stop. And they have good reasons to do so, for it does not disappoint. The staff really is as helpful as helpful can be, and the selection is also inspiring, with lots of non-usual suspects stacked high to the ceiling. It is indeed true that this is a very tiny shop and that a few a people make it feel overcrowded. The actual issue is that a few are actually very many indeed. I visited on two occasions back in February and counted more than twenty people through the door on each visit, and I only stayed half an hour each time. The selection of books is rather limited, as is the one of associated supplies such as needles, hooks or buttons, but check out their website and find more online. Go with a pattern and no clue, as I did, and come away with all the yarn you need and more. Purl is one of the few shops that sell more than items to its customers; it sells a service. Lovely throughout. For more about Purl, check out http://domestic-miss.blogspot.com/2008/02/knit-virgin.html

Made on Sat Apr 12 00:53:45 -0700 2008 about Annie & Company Needlepoint and Knitting

I visited Annie and Co. in February and was suitably impressed by their wide choice. From alpaca to cashmere, via merino, nylon, silk, cotton and every permutation in between, this is a store that really has a yarn for everyone. Far from the madding (and often maddening) crowds, Annie is relatively high up Madison Avenue, and is frequented by Upper East Side ladies who talk of the Hamptons and skillfully click away with beautifully bejeweled hands. The crowd is interesting in its own way, but may feel less welcoming than in other places. The store itself is extremely spacious, with plenty of seats and a large table. People can cast-on right away and classes and workshops are plentiful. Annie is not as well-known, at least online, as Purl is, and, really, there is no reason for this. The staff is extremely helpful and knowledgeable and you are welcome to browse on end. The selection is massive. Don't forget that all needlepoint supplies are to be found upstairs. For more on Annie and Co. see http://domestic-miss.blogspot.com/2008/02/knit-virgin.html

Made on Sat Apr 12 10:25:40 -0700 2008 about Fibre and Clay

Fibre and Clay is an outstanding yarn store with a selection that wildly supersedes the best John Lewis department store and a service that scores on all accounts. The shop is on two floors, the clay part, as well as jewellery, is downstairs, while yarns, buttons, needles, hooks, books, bags and more are all upstairs. It is luminous and spacious and even does a library service whereby, by leaving a deposit of £ 10, one book can be taken home and returned within two weeks. I keep exchanging mine! Knitting groups run on Tuesdays and Thursdays (these are free) and workshops are plentiful. From finishing techniques to Fair Isle, from knitting socks to lace knitting, the workshops are varied and informative, and for only £ 40 for the whole day, lunch at a local restaurant is also included. Yet another opportunity to hook up with like-minded people. I do not know why Fibre and Clay isn't more popular, at least on the web; I have travelled extensively and this has to be one of the very best and most original shops I have ever visited. The website doesn't do it justice. Go to Knutsford, meet the most lovely Rihanna and Nigel and see for yourself.

Made on Sat Apr 12 10:32:48 -0700 2008 about White Peak Alpacas

This shop is unique on several accounts. I had personally never come across a yarn store in the middle of the countryside, surrounded by 100+ alpacas in all colourful variations. The lady who runs it owns the animals and is an accomplished spinner of their fleece. Fleece itself can be bought in packs. The alpaca yarn on sale is in natural shades of cream, black, brown and white. Some skeins also have the finest silk thread woven through. The store also stocks finished products (all handmade) such as capes, hats, gloves and socks, as well as alpaca soles and slippers. It is only opened at the weekend; go for lunch at the lovely Plough and Flair pub directly opposite and then sink your hands into these amazing skeins of wonderfulness!

Made on Sat Apr 19 11:54:18 -0700 2008 about Sew In

Sew In is a very small shop. This alone is not an issue, for many small shops can excel in many ways. The problem here is that small does equal poor, with an abysmal selection of yarns (Opal, Regia, Debbie Bliss, Rowan, Noro), one skein at a time. This is not the place where you can find 10 skeins to knit that long cardigan you had in mind. The selection of buttons isn't bad but do not expect anything exciting or innovative. It also sells fabrics (not very many) and huge hanks of aran wool. The selection of embroidery threads is really quite good, but we are not talking anything that John Lewis doesn't have. In fact, if you do have a department store near you, then there is no need to take a trip to Sew In. Helpful as they try to be, they just don't stock very much.

Made on Tue Jun 24 09:57:23 -0700 2008 about Wool

I was not impressed with Wool, even though I heard reasonably good things about it. The selection is a bit abysmal, with lots of 100% acrylic, small choice of Rowan and Debbie Bliss, but some decent 100% merino from Spain (few colours though). They actually have a better selection online (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Aileens-Wool-Shop) than they display in the shop (but hey, of course you can always ask!). If you are also looking for small bits and pieces such as wooden bracelets for kids or wooden letters, cards and small pretty things they have these too. Personally, I found it lacked atmosphere somehow and I like both atmosphere and lots of choice. Wool does not seem to have either, but do pay them a visit and judge by yourself.

Made on Thu Jul 17 07:17:12 -0700 2008 about Singer Sewing Centre

This is a good shop for certain crafts, mainly sewing and quilting. The selection of buttons and sequins is reasonably good, but the selection of yarns is worryingly acrylic-based. Acrylic is all they stock. They have enormous skeins of 100% acrylic, as well as lots of ribbon yarn, fun fur and the like. Wendy yarns was all I could find, together with a few skeins of acrylic mohair (a bit of an oxymoron, but there you go, I suppose we could call it 'fake mohair').

The selection of purely knitting/crochet notions was a bit poor, with only some metal needles on show and other basic bits and pieces. The shop also stocks fabrics (not very many) and lots of threads for sewing and needlepoint as well as sewing patterns. Sadly, it lacks in atmosphere, unless you define old-and-tired as atmospheric. It embodies everything that is clichéd (and untrue) about knitting: old-fashioned and uninteresting tat that nobody would want to wear or make.