Lancaster Yarn Shop

All the way from Brooklyn… LOVED this store. I’m surround by yarn stores in my area but of course it never hurts to find another wherever you go. This was my first choice and I’m so happy I went. Intimate, warm, beautifully small selection. Sometimes these shops feel like a hoarder’s paradise and can be SUPER overwhelming. Not only is everything laid out beautifully but there are projects next to almost every display showing the make up of the yarn (so helpful when trying to make up your mind)…let me not start on the beautiful colors and textures. I can go on and on but PLEASE if you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and pop in for a purchase.

Stopped in today and loved every bit of it. My husband and daughter relaxed on the rocking chairs on the porch while I browsed. I loved the sample projects with pattern information, very helpful since I never know what to knit!
The owner was wonderful, she gave me some details about the yarn I was considering and tips on where to find great tutorials. A great experience! Will definitely stop in if ever in the area again.

Can’t say enough about this shop! Beautifully laid out, with inspiring sample projects everywhere, a wonderful selection of quality yarns (including locally sourced/​dyed), plenty of classes, a Thursday «knit night», and more. The owner, in addition to being friendly and welcoming, is an experienced and knowledgeable knitter, whose help with projects and challenges (I’m an intermediate knitter at best, but progressing) has been invaluable on more than one occasion. Seriously, if you love knitting or crochet, the Lancaster Yarn Shop is a must-​see!

(This review is being written from a guy’s POV as my lovely wife is the knitter, not me.)
To keep it simple our visit to the LYS a few weeks ago was underwhelming.
Now in terms of the store being «cute» I would agree.
It’s fairly small but everything has a place and everything is well laid out.
The lovely wife has been a patron of another similar store in Bethlehem for years and after looking around here for five minutes she pronounced that store’s selection and especially the prices to be far better than what is offered here.
I mean I suppose being in the tourist trap area that this store is in, to a point they can charge more because the bus loads keep on coming and I guess this is a «destination shopping «type of place although to me that usually equates to getting ripped off with either inferior quality or superior prices.
Also worth noting was that the owner that other Unilocalers rave about was not there during our visit as she had apparently stepped out for a few minutes. Why this mattered to us was because the guy behind the register blew us off completely for over ten minutes as I assume that he figured there was no way that someone under 40 could possibly be a serious knitter or could need any help?
He attempted to assist one older woman and after telling her that he had no idea and that the owner would be back soon he was glued to the counter/​register area.
Normally I would assume that when a person walks into a yarn/​knitting store with/​wearing a purse-​fingerless mitts-​cowl that they made themselves you would normally want to gravitate towards them because clearly they are serious about the craft.
Not here.
Maybe if the owner were around things would have been more positive but Que Sera, Sera it was not and while we are out in the Lancaster/​Amish Country area at least once or twice a month I can’t imagine the lovely wife will want to return.

Very cute shop with friendly/​helpful owner.

The proprietress was welcoming and friendly. She greeted me and asked about my knitting. She friended me on ravelry and couldn’t have been nicer. I bought a locally dyed sock yarn. The selection was a bit thin but she had the basics and a few luxury yarns. I will definitely return for a second look.

this is a cozy shop in busy kitchen kettle village. i’m sure the proprietor gets lots of tourist drop-​ins, but she always remembers repeat customers and takes the time to make suggestions re needles/​gauge or look up patterns on ravelry so that the customer gets the right amount of yarn.
she also makes genuine offers for customers to bring in their projects if they have questions, or just to show off one’s finished work. for the joiners there’s a thursday night knit group as well as various classes throughout the year.
in addition to the standard fb page, she also has a tumblr.
in short: the owner is a true yarnie and really makes an effort.
the yarn: there’s always a nice variety of colors in a solid brand. but the real draw is: there’s always something from a local fiber artist. i’ve purchased whorled peace handpsun and crabapple hand dyed yumminess.
if you’re looking to support a local business while increasing your stash, this is the place.

Cute shop, good selection of yarns — I love that they have local handspun yarn (what a treat!). Needles and patterns available.
Tax is free if you’re going to make clothes!

i received a very nice email from the owner of this shop today. normally, i kind of shrug when proprietors message me– because for the most part they just want to offer discounts hoping to get a better online review. this wasn’t what Wendy was concerned about. instead, she explained how LYS is a new shop and how around christmas they ran pretty low on inventory. she also explained that the employee i saw was on her last days and probably not properly representing the shop. both of these explanations sound like more than excuses– i know everyone has bad days and i’d really like to give this place another try.
regardless of these details, i just find it so nice that the owner of a store would care to write a detailed, nicely worded (not scolding or angry) email, simply hoping to let me know that my visit wasn’t all that it should have been. she explained that in the regular season, the shelves aren’t quite as bare, and there is a whole section of local artisan yarns. i wish i could have seen them in person, but for now i’ll just boost my rating a bit and wait until i can return.
good luck in the new year

my favorite place to shop for yarn, needles, books, you name it. I was greeted and made to feel welcome the first time I walked in the door and the consistency of help I am offered is very important to me, as I have become an avid knitter. I really love the choices available when it comes to yarn, especially the locally produced yarns, such beautiful colors and textures.
I feel as though I am entering a friend’s home whenever I get the chance to stop in. Located in an historic home, chock full of interesting corners to investigate and lots of beautiful woodwork, it’s a real treat for the eyes.
LYS also has a Thursday Night Group, if you’re interested. Bring your knitting, crocheting, or drop spindle and prepare to feel welcomed and enriched. Cool classes as well…
.