Knitomatic

Good selection. Weird location. Although I needed orange yarn which they had hanging in the window and they said they were out… So a totally useless experience for me. Always call ahead people. My mistake.

I’m not a huge knitter (scarves and simple things). I was looking for cashmere to knit a wider scarf (or wrap type thing). I know cashmere is expensive but I want to treat myself as well as make it myself.
I try to support businesses in my neighbourhood and have driven by this store many times. I decided to check it out and hoped they had what I was looking for. When I went in there were two ladies at the table chatting. I was looking around the small store and decided to ask for help (as I’m not extremely knowledgeable with knitting). I stood there for a few moments and the one lady looked up and said «If you need any help let me know». I said I needed some help and she continued to talk with the other lady. I waited a bit and said I do actually need some help. She kind of sighed and got up to help me. I told her what I was looking for and she told me I couldn’t afford to buy cashmere and showed me some alpaca blend. I told her I was aware cashmere was expensive and that I was ok with it. (I don’t look homeless and I do have a job … odd thing to say I think). She then just said we don’t have any and went and sat down and just left me standing there. So I left and went to Romni on Queen W and got excellent service and exactly what I was looking for. They lost a $ 180.00 sale and any future business.

My favorite yarn store and now my regular s’n’b. Carries everything from workaday-​but-​quality (Cascade, Berroco) through hand-​dyed indie amazingness (Zen Yarn Garden, Studioloo) and everything in between so I’ve always been able to find the yarn I need, or didn’t know I needed. Great selection of books, needles (and notions. Staff are very friendly, very knowledgeable and approachable.
Short walk from St. Clair west station, which conveniently takes you past Starbucks at Bathurst/St.Clair, or the 7 Bathurst bus stops practically at the front door, get off at Nina street. Also, Gourmet Gringos just opened next door making for a fun double-​header. Do not get guacamole on your knitting, though.

So I walked in a few years ago to find a group of women knitting. I assume they had been talking, but as I moved through the door they stopped. And looked at me. I looked at them. This probably would have gone on for a while, but finally one of the knitters (Rosie, I would discover later) asked if she could help me. That was the day I signed up for the Beginner Knitting class, and that was the day I discovered two new and wonderful things.
First, knitting is amazing. Three years later I still knit and still enjoy it. Second, Knit-​O-​Matic is a great knitting store. Three years later and I still go back. Only now I am likely to be sitting around knitting when a new knitter walks through the door.
In the three years since walking in I have met a range of people, all of whom are interesting and supportive. Haley (who owns the shop) and Liane (who does most of the teaching) are an unbeatable combination. I don’t get in as often as I used to (or would like to) but when I do I feel right at home.
If you have ever wanted to knit (or crochet, or felt) this is a great place to find out what it’s all about. Drop in on one of the Stitch And Bitch sessions and you will find the friendliest people to share your afternoon with. Haley stocks some of the coolest yarns and supplies around and can help you get exactly what you need.
Knit-​O-​Matic rocks.

Reliable source of most of the Mission Falls colourways. And a well stocked shelf of tools. There’s almost no need to trek down to Romney any more (and if I’m going to travel for yarn, I’ll go to Linda’s Craftique in Port Credit).

There’s a couple things you discover once you start knitting: 1) There’s a whole sub-​culture complete with a new dialect like LYS, UFOs, frogging, tinking etc and 2) it can get expensive.
Knitomatic would be considered my local yarn store (LYS) and it’s a great place to find beautiful gift-​giving worthy yarn. You won’t find scratchy acrylic economy balls here. You can really feel the difference when working with quality yarns and of course you get what you pay for.
They do offer a variety of knitting classes. I took a hat-​making class a couple years ago led by Liane and it was great to have someone demystify knitting in a circle. That particular class was $ 60 for two sessions and included all the yarn and needles required to complete the hat. There are just some things you can’t really learn over the internet and once I knew how to knit a hat I felt like I had graduated from knitting rectangles (scarves) out of cheap acrylic and had the confidence to knit almost anything!
Great variety of books for sale too.

A nice neighbourhood yarn shop with some beautiful luxury silk and wool yarn. The baby alpaca is a steal! The owner is really nice — happy to help, but will let you browse quietly if you like.

I actually love this shop, because she used to have many Koigu and Handmaiden yarn. However, I didn’t go that so often because of the parking issue (not easy to find a spot on the street), and the location is just not very accessible for drivers. IF you live in Downtown area, it might be easier if you take bus or Street car.
The store lady is very nice and she has some toys for kids to play while the parents can shop their stuffs.
She doesn’t have a very huge collection of yarn, but most of them are pretty and with a reasonable price.
She has her own website and also an esty store to sell off her discounted stuffs. I did buy a needle case from her esty store, very fast and great communication. :)
CHeck out her website for any sale, she does have sale events once a while (and really good deal!) (For example, in APril 2009, 25% on some luxury yarn such as handmaiden 4ply cashmere… etc)
I also tried once of her ‘yarn swap’, I brought some in and happy to brought some out without paying a cent. How nice!
She will donate whatever leftover yarn to those charity groups which is very eco-​friendly and meaningful!
I really love this idea.
She does this kind of swap once a month, and you can check out the dates in her website (EVENT section).

i really like this store. the location is very weird so i rarely get to stop in, but its a very cozy shop. the prices are pretty good on what they have but the selection isn’t huge. whenever i do go over there, they have misti cotton on sale which is a huge plus.
the salespeople are nice but not pushy and they have a cute little bird :)