Knitting in Massachusetts

Yarn Store Maps

I said I was going to stop blogging, but just had to write an entry on two possible alternatives to this site:

First, in case you missed Paige's comment on the previous post, she has launched an interactive map of local knitting spots. It includes not only yarn stores but also knit-friendly cafes. If you click on the places listed, you can see reviews. If you register (free), you can add your own favorite yarn stores to the map or comment on the places already written about.

I also got an email from someone named Cindy who has created a nationwide map of yarn stores. This one only shows locations — there are no reviews.

Just looking at it quickly, it's pretty spotty: It lists a store in Boston that hasn't existed in years — and that I think was only a distributor or publishing company anyway (Yarnwinder); lists The Knitting Room but leaves out some stores that have been around longer (Woolcott & Co., Mind's Eye Yarns, and Windsor Button, to name a few). But if you email Cindy you can update her.

Spark Craft Studios

I always meant to write a review of Spark Craft Studios after writing about the fact that it was going to open last year, but never got around to it. So here is a short review.

This studio is located near the Davis Square T stop in Somerville, opposite the Brooks Pharmacy parking lot. It's sort of along the lines of one of those make-your-own-pottery places: It offers a space to socialize while doing needlecrafts, paper crafts, or beadwork, and you can also get help from the staff and from other customers. The store also holds special events and offers classes and space for hosting private parties.

Spark Craft Studios is in a large, cozy space that occupies two floors. There are couches and worktables to sit at while you work, and coffee and tea is available. There are also some private work rooms where classes and private parties are held. The studio has resources available for customers' use — craft books, magazines, and tools (a yarn winder and swift, sewing machine, etc.). The studio also offers retail sales of craft materials, including yarns and notions (more on that later). If you want to actually do crafts there, you can either buy a day pass, get a 10-visit pass, or buy a three-month or one-year membership. (An initial studio tour is free.)

A selection of about 60-70 yarns is for sale on the lower floor and includes ribbon yarns and novelty yarns as well as basics like cotton and worsted-weight wool. The range is pretty good considering the relatively small selection. The stock changes, but yarn brands I've seen there or that are listed on the Spark Craft web site include Malabrigo, Red Heart, Manos del Uruguay, King Tut, Karaoke Soy Silk, Adrienne Vittadini, Tahki Stacy Charles, Cotton Classic, Filatura di Crosa, Mango Moon, and Araucania Nature Wool. There are also patterns from Stitch Diva Studios, Gedifra, Minnowknits, and Araucania Nature Wool.

Accessories are on the first floor and on previous visits have included Susan Bates notions and crochet hooks, Clover bamboo needles (both straights and double-pointed), Addi Turbo and Addi Bamboo Natura circular needes, Red Heart "Crystalites" clear plastic crochet hooks, and Skacel steel crochet hooks with rubberized handles. (See the list of brands carried.)

Spark Craft Studios
50 Grove Street
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 718-9132
hello@sparkcrafts.com

Loom 'N Shuttle in Ipswich Has Web Site

It's at www.loomnshuttle.com.

Loom 'N Shuttle
190 High Street (Rt 1A)
Ipswich, MA 01938
(978) 356-5551
info@loomnshuttle.com

One(?) Last Post: Porter Square Books Knitting Group and Book, Yarn Discounts

I meant to post this before I decided to stop this blog, so here it is.

Porter Square Books has a knitting group that meets one Sunday a month, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. It's called Knit One, Read Too, and the next one meets this coming Sunday, Dec. 11. According to the store's web site, the group is for knitters, crocheters, quilters, and "other handwork enthusiasts."

The store will offer selected craft books at 10 percent off, and Mind's Eye Yarns, which is right across the street, offers 10 percent off all yarn for session participants on days that the group meets.

I'll try to make a few updates to the yarn store list and knitting group list in the next few weeks, and post one or two reviews people sent in over the last several months, but will not be posting any new information that's sent in. I'm also considering archiving the contents of this blog (along with the store and group lists) and posting them somewhere else (on space that I won't be paying extra for, that is).

Thanks to everyone who's written or left messages about the site.

Porter Square Books
Porter Square Shopping Center
25 White Street
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 491-2220
info@portersquarebooks.com

Mind's Eye Yarns
22 White Street
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 354-7253
lucy@mindseyeyarns.com

Blue Heron Yarn Studio Moved

Blue Heron Yarn Studio has moved from Hyannis to Barnstable Village on Route 6A. The building they were in got put on the market and so they had to move. Phyllis Detwiller of Blue Heron writes:

Our new space is considerably smaller, but so far the response has been wonderful because it's light, intimate and cozy too.

Someone named Janna writes in:

MUCH easier to find and get to than their previous location.

The new address is 3261 Main St., Barnstable, Mass., next to the fire station. New phone is (508) 362-8812. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sundays 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Blue Heron Yarn Studio
3261 Main St.
Barnstable, MA 02630
(508) 362-8812
(800) 699-2497

Hub Mills Store Now Has Web Site

Thanks to Eric for his comment letting everyone know that The Hub Mills Factory Store in Lowell now has a web site. I'm posting it here for the benefit of those who didn't see the comment.

The people at Hub Mills also emailed me about this, but since I've been more lax than usual about posting, I didn't get around to it until now. Apologies. Here's what they say about the site:

The visitor is able to browse through some of Classic Elite's closeout yarns and purchase them at a discounted price. We also offer many of Classic Elite's pattern booklets and leaflets at regular price.

There is also information about the store, including a downloadable PDF of directions to our new location.

Hub Mills Factory Store
122 Western Ave.
Lowell, MA 01851
(978) 937-0320

Two Yarn Stores New to List: Nantucket, Sturbridge

There's a yarn store on Nantucket that's been around for about three years called Sheep to Shore. It's at 14 Sparks Avenue, and brands they carry include Koigu, Noro, Debbie Bliss, Cherry Tree Hill, Cape Cod Fibers, Colinette, and Lorna's Laces. (I haven't been there in person — found out about them on the Internet and called them up.)

Sheep to Shore
14 Sparks Avenue
Nantucket, MA 02554
(508) 228-0038

Also, Nicole wrote on the Stitch 'n' Bitch-Boston board:

Just wanted to share a yarn store I discovered in Sturbridge, Mass., today. I visited the Mt. Laurel Yarn Boutique, and had a lovely experience.

I knew I was in good hands when the shopkeeper noticed my bored husband, and offered him a comfortable seat on a couch :-)

The store was laid out nicely, with a lot of open area for walking in the store — in the front area, near the door, was a discounted area. There was also a table with novelty yarn kits to make scarves. On the shelves, neatly stacked were a variety of yarns — from Lion Brand Homespun to Manos. I also spotted yarns from Noro, Cascade, Sirdar, Plymouth, Great Adirondack, Regia, among others. She had a decent stock of knitting magazines & books.

I was greatly impressed by the service — I inquired about a scarf on display, and the shopkeeper spent a great deal of time looking for the pattern. She found it, and we started talking about the yarns in her store. She them proceeded to show me a couple of the new cotton yarns and the projects she was using them in. I love it when the people tending the stores are excited about the products they sell!

So if any of you are in nearby Brimfield, Mass., [right next to the northern part of Sturbridge, to the west], for this week's antique show, this is a nice break!

When I called, the person who answered the phone mentioned that they carry Mango Moon recycled silk yarn too. She also explained that the address is on Arnold Road in Sturbridge, but the store is in a building complex that fronts on Route 20, and you can see a big sign for the store on 20. Mount Laurel Yarn Boutique is in the second building in the complex, behind the main building.

Mount Laurel Yarn Boutique
Three Arnold Road
Sturbridge, MA 01518-1145
(508) 347-0130

Another Hub Mills Review

Carrie from the Stitch 'n' Bitch-Boston discussion board had a different view of the Hub Mills Factory Outlet from Bethe's. She wrote on July 1:

A friend and I went to Hub Mills today and spent over an hour looking at everything. Yes, they have a lot of the same stock as before, but I did find some beautiful yarns and a couple of magazines I haven't seen at my local bookstore. I walked out with enough yarn to make a cotton top and a alpaca/wool sweater for myself, along with a couple of skeins of Sirdar to make sock for my grandson, due this fall.

Overall I liked the atmosphere better [compared to the old location], it's very sunny and they now have a table with some chairs near the bookshelves (30% off during the sale) so you can sit and go thru the books easier.

I suggest giving the place a shot again, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Hub Mills Factory Outlet
122 Western Ave.
Lowell, MA 01851
(978) 937-0320

See the entire list of yarn stores in Massachusetts.

Hub Mills Mini-Review

Someone from Stitch 'n' Bitch Boston went to the Hub Mills Outlet and this was the impression they got:

I went yesterday during lunch … unfortunately, I wasn't all that impressed. While the store is much nicer (much cleaner and brighter) it is smaller. I was also expecting them to have a lot of Classic Elite stock to sell off since they had been closed for so long. Not so, with the exception of a few stray items, it looks like the CE stock that's there is what was left over from when they closed the old store. What they did have a ton of was irregular Star (cotton/elastic) for $1 each. Sale items were few and far between from what I saw. I did see some cashmerino (Debbie Bliss and KFI) for $4.50, very limited supply from what was on the shelf, not sure if they had more hiding in back.

Hopefully they are being frugal with the stock and will put some goodies out soon.

Update, 7/5/05: Another knitter, Carrie, visited and had a different impression of the store.

Hub Mills Factory Outlet
122 Western Ave.
Lowell, MA 01851
(978) 937-0320

See the entire list of yarn stores in Massachusetts.

Hub Mills Store Finally Open!

6/29/05 update:

The sale at the Hub Mills store is for the first two weeks that the store is open. It opened yesterday, June 28, so that means it goes through Saturday, July 9. The sale is only on certain items.

Original post:

The Hub Mills Factory Store, which is the Classic Elite brand yarn outlet, has finally opened after much delay, and they're having a reopening sale to celebrate.

Oddly, the postcard I got in the mail doesn't mention the date of the sale, nor does it give details about what's on sale or percentage discounts, but it does say that there will be door prizes, including a grand prize of a $100 gift certificate. (No purchase is necessary to win.)

I'll try to find out a bit more and post about it here.

Here is the store information:

Hub Mills Factory Store
122 Western Ave.
Lowell, MA 01851
(978) 937-0320

The store is closed Sundays and Mondays.