I've lived in the area 20 years, and every year or so I drop in to give this closest-of-all-to-my-home yarn store another chance. Then they remind me why I patronize every other store in the area but theirs:
The atmosphere is very in-groupy - think junior high, when you're not one of the Cool Girls. The selection skews heavily to the high end - at least, last time I checked. Think Annie Blatt as the bottom end of their selections. Until about a year ago, they carried only Clover needles - and that small selection was hidden away in a drawer.
If they don't know you, they watch you like a hawk when you visit the store, as if you were likely to shoplift. But try getting help!
Also, when they ran their recent "moving sale" (they moved up the block from the old store), it wasn't a real sale, to reduce inventory (and moving costs) - it was a lot of special purchase stuff that would have embarassed Joann or Michael's.
We have a lot of very excellent LYSs in the South Bay. This isn't one of them.
PS. To top it all off, despite the snooty French name - no one there speaks French!
A good, reliable LYS. The store is nicely crammed with a large variety of merchandise; the personnel are numerous and very helpful. If you are a repeat customer, they remember you.
They have a lot of needlepoint supplies, and the folks gathered at the larger of the 2 work tables are often needlepointers. But they love us knitters, as well. Lots of classes and lessons available.
My main complaint is the somewhat limited selection of knitting needles. Not enough choices for those of us who prefer knitting "around".
A delightful store. Good selection at multiple price points. They inspire a lot of loyalty, as I've seen the same customers at the comfortable work table and easy chairs on several visits. Both personnel and guests are very friendly and welcoming to newcomers. Highly recommended.
Ditto to all of the above. As Mallallory said, Cathy will try to accommodate if you call ahead - she stayed open a bit late for me for 1 skein of sock yarn! I only wish she had space for a communal work area, as both she and her customers are friendly and interesting, and it would be a great place to hang out!
I love this shop. Patricia is most helpful, as is her daughter, who helps out from time to time. Very good selection of yarns at all price points; better representation than most of affordable yarns, including lots of washable yarns and very big selection of "baby" yarns in a riot of colors. Extensive selection of needles.
I'm astonished by the 2 anonymous comments of unfriendliness. Patricia will allow you plenty of time to browse, if that's what you want, but in my experience, is always available when you need her. The regulars are very friendly. More than once, I've just dropped in and sat down to knit. I've been welcomed whether or not I was purchasing that day.
Possibly because she's from So America, Patricia favors Continental knitting (and since I'm a "picker," too, that works for me), but she of course also demonstrates English style for those who want it.
I like this store a lot. It's also the closest to LAX, for flying knitters.
knitaround's Comments
about L'Atelier on Thu Oct 01 15:40:12 +0000 2009
I've lived in the area 20 years, and every year or so I drop in to give this closest-of-all-to-my-home yarn store another chance. Then they remind me why I patronize every other store in the area but theirs:
The atmosphere is very in-groupy - think junior high, when you're not one of the Cool Girls. The selection skews heavily to the high end - at least, last time I checked. Think Annie Blatt as the bottom end of their selections. Until about a year ago, they carried only Clover needles - and that small selection was hidden away in a drawer.
If they don't know you, they watch you like a hawk when you visit the store, as if you were likely to shoplift. But try getting help!
Also, when they ran their recent "moving sale" (they moved up the block from the old store), it wasn't a real sale, to reduce inventory (and moving costs) - it was a lot of special purchase stuff that would have embarassed Joann or Michael's.
We have a lot of very excellent LYSs in the South Bay. This isn't one of them.
PS. To top it all off, despite the snooty French name - no one there speaks French!
about Concepts In Yarn & Needlepoint on Thu Oct 01 15:43:29 +0000 2009
A good, reliable LYS. The store is nicely crammed with a large variety of merchandise; the personnel are numerous and very helpful. If you are a repeat customer, they remember you.
They have a lot of needlepoint supplies, and the folks gathered at the larger of the 2 work tables are often needlepointers. But they love us knitters, as well. Lots of classes and lessons available.
My main complaint is the somewhat limited selection of knitting needles. Not enough choices for those of us who prefer knitting "around".
about Beach Knitting on Thu Oct 01 15:46:39 +0000 2009
A delightful store. Good selection at multiple price points. They inspire a lot of loyalty, as I've seen the same customers at the comfortable work table and easy chairs on several visits. Both personnel and guests are very friendly and welcoming to newcomers. Highly recommended.
about TWIST, YARNS OF INTRIGUE on Thu Oct 01 15:49:07 +0000 2009
Ditto to all of the above. As Mallallory said, Cathy will try to accommodate if you call ahead - she stayed open a bit late for me for 1 skein of sock yarn! I only wish she had space for a communal work area, as both she and her customers are friendly and interesting, and it would be a great place to hang out!
about The Slipt Stitch on Thu Oct 01 15:54:52 +0000 2009
I love this shop. Patricia is most helpful, as is her daughter, who helps out from time to time. Very good selection of yarns at all price points; better representation than most of affordable yarns, including lots of washable yarns and very big selection of "baby" yarns in a riot of colors. Extensive selection of needles.
I'm astonished by the 2 anonymous comments of unfriendliness. Patricia will allow you plenty of time to browse, if that's what you want, but in my experience, is always available when you need her. The regulars are very friendly. More than once, I've just dropped in and sat down to knit. I've been welcomed whether or not I was purchasing that day.
Possibly because she's from So America, Patricia favors Continental knitting (and since I'm a "picker," too, that works for me), but she of course also demonstrates English style for those who want it.
I like this store a lot. It's also the closest to LAX, for flying knitters.