Strands Knitting Studio

Beautiful shop with very friendly and helpful owner. Enjoyed my visit so much. I wish I lived closer!

What a welcoming place. I really enjoyed my short visit. I brought a project with me on vacation but failed to bring the right length of needles. The shop did not carry the knit picks screw on needles but the owner was able to get me set up with a longer length to get me through this project.
I strolled around and lusted after many of the yarns… I may even have to make a trip down from north Orange County to visit this shop. This was a place I would love to sit and knit.

Best little knit shop in So Cal. Christine is a gem. You will be treated like a human and not get the usual knit shop attitude. Thank you. I will be back many times.

Such a lovely store and wonderful people. I took 2 classes over Christmas break & even though I was a total beginner, everyone was so nice to me. I learned a ton about yarn and knitting — it was a blast. I give this shop a 10 out of 10. Absolutely lovely people.

I have been coming here for many years. Christine always has wonderful yarns, and knowledgeable help for both knitting and crochet. The workshops are very helpful. Love this store. Highly recommend.

I stopped in here on a short yarn hop.
When I walked in, I was surprised at how tiny the store is. I didn’t have much hope for finding anything interesting. I was wrong.
The owner is fun, enthusiastic, and gracious. I felt more like I was being welcomed into her home rather than just being a customer.
She was chatting with a hippy-​ish couple about processing raw yarn. I mentioned that I was a spinner and was welcomed into the conversation. I was able to give them some advice for processing the wool. Christine was genuinely charmed at having made a useful connection between two customers. That was the most cherished experience of my yarn hop.
The other surprising thing about this store is that, in spite of it’s small size, it has a table for knitters, a good variety of yarn, and sample projects. I love it when I can see how a yarn knits up.
The other cool thing is its location. It’s in downtown San Clemente so you can go for a walk on the beach, grab breakfast or lunch at a cool café and KNIT!
I didn’t buy anything when I visited, but I know I’ll be back. My LYS is closing and Strands has the positive feeling I want from a yarn store.
RECOMMEND

As a new knitter who has needed guidance and support on first projects, I am thankful for Strands being the wonderful studio that it is! Christine and Monica have helped me finish my second project — a scarf of course — and start a new project that I am thrilled to say is a challenge and joy at the same time. Christine displays some darling knitted items that were lovingly created by her, and used by her granddaughters, and she motivated me to start a baby blanket (like the one she knitted) for my new grandson. Although I wasn’t sure I was ready, she wrote the pattern for me, and helped me picked a soft and cozy blue cotton yarn. She got me started, and I did just fine, but needed some help with flipping back and forth on circular needles. When I became confused, I sat in on one of Monica’s classes — and I was on my way again! Monica is calm and patient and helped me correct my error in just a few moments. Christine gave me some additional help and I love watching the blanket become a real blanket. The studio is welcoming in a great location, the knitters who sit and talk while knitting are also friendly and supportive, the yarns and supplies are in great supply, and the endless opportunities for new projects will keep me going back over and over. If you are thinking about knitting as a new or experienced knitter — Strands is the place to go!

Strands is a veritable candy store of yarns for both the die hard as well as the casual knitter/​crocheter. Christine Chesley owns the cozy little store and is the master of the exquisite array of yarns, constantly changing, moving, adding and even special ordering any yarn one’s heart or pattern desires. The shelves are filled to overflowing with a vibrant rainbow of yarn.
Strands offers classes and workshops in a friendly, supportive environment. I find that spending a few hours around the store table with a diverse group of women is a comforting, engaging way to spend part of a day. Not to mention the many tips and lessons I’ve picked up!
I dropped by a couple of years ago to learn how to knit a hat similar to one that I had purchased and my kids had fallen in love with. I was hooked and have never looked back!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE! Strands! I went there when I first became a knitter about 2 years ago. And Boy was I bad at it. not so anymore and that is in no small part because of the ladies at strands. I can not count the number of times they have helped me correct mistakes and taught me little tricks on the fly.
I love the warm cozy feeling and the super nice staff. I have always looked forward to visiting this store.
I have moved to Ventura county and probably the thing I miss most about the OC aside from my friends and great apartment is Strands. I have heard that they moved to San Clemente and am excited about a trip down there next week mostly because I get to see the new Location think it’s on Granada, just a block from Del Mar.
They have everything a knitter could need and the environment has always been so friendly that it is totally inspiring.
I agree that it is a little pricey BUT in this instance you really DO get what you pay for!
If you are knitting something really special for someone or want to make something nice for yourself, this is the place! Their selection is amazing and thanks to them, I discovered Rowan Bamboo tape, my favorite!
Oh, and if you need something they don’t have or are out of they will do everything to find it for you.
** I just got the new Location** 111 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92 672. Hours W-​S 11 – 5.
www​.strands​-stu​dio​.com**
She JUST reopened last week! Whoopee!

There was a sign in the window about 2 weeks ago that they were moving to a different location (I walk by here every morning picking up mail for work). As of about a week ago, Strands is no longer at this location and there is not a sign indicating the new address. (I’m only posting this for my fellow yarn enthusiasts, the one time I went in here I wasn’t impressed with the yarn selection or the service, but yarn shops are few and far between in south Orange County so I figured fellow knitters/​crocheters would like to know…)

This is an excellent yarn/​knitting store. It is inviting, and there are always a few people knitting around the table when I have gone in. The rumor is that the owner can knit a sweater a single afternoon! I am not sure that this is true, but I have found yarns there that I have not found elsewhere (look for some nice angora!) and also a good selection of the usuals (which for me often means Rowan felted tweed and Debbie Bliss Baby Cashermerino.)
My only complaint would be that Strands is a little pricey.