I am thinking that it's only fair to return the favor and start calling this fair state 'Kennsylvania'--why should Kentucky always be the butt of the joke? I am pleased to report that once again I am back in the border town of Louisville for an entire week as the AP Exam reading has rolled into town once again, bringing with it legions of academics and high school teacher who all have one thing on their minds:
On my mind as well is one of my favorite LYSs ever: The Knit Nook. Now I would love this store even without the name, as my love of the word 'nook' is well-documented. But The Knit Nook has so much to recommend it: cool owners (Kristin and Cindy, a mother/daughter team), an ultra-friendly clientele, which includes a group of women who welcome you and make you feel like one of the gang (thanks for humoring me, ladies!), and of course, the yarn.
I can't tell you how nice it felt after a series of early morning planes, trains and automobiles to sit down and knit a spell with these ladies at the big table. Now I am usually not a fan of the big table. In some less welcoming stores it spells pure treachery: you walk in, everyone at the big table in the center of the room gives you the stink eye while the owner issues a lukewarm "...can I help you with anything?", and you feel so uncomfortable that you leave after a few moments, convinced that they are all talking about you, of which you can in fact be certain, because you yourself have been at the big table before and know The Drill.
None of that at the Knit Nook, it's not that kind of place. And I love that.
Are there LYSs on your circuit that have the same hospitable vibe going for it? Let's compare notes...
22 comments:
oh, i HATE that feeling!!
i hate stores, yarn or not, that make you feel that way. and actually i will not make a return visit.
so glad you are in the 'ville! went to school not far from there, so am i big fan of kentucky! have a wonderful time!
I know exactly what you mean! I have been to many stores that are like that. Luckily, I have been fortunate to find one where they welcome you in. Love them!
Sounds like you're having a great time!
You know, my LYS felt like that the first time I went in. I've come to figure out that there's one employee in particular who gives off an icy vibe; it was just my bad luck that I was "helped" by her the first time I went in. Since then (almost a year ago), I've gotten to know all of the women who work there and it turns out that this particular woman is just like that. She means well, but her tone can be off-putting.
I still maintain that the friendliest LYS I've ever been to is the Knitting Studio in downtown Montpelier, Vermont. Just FYI. ;)
Yay the Knit Nook - I was just there yesterday!
There is a good one and it's on your way home!
The Kanawha City Yarn Store on the outskirts of Charleston WV. Google it and I think you will find it may be relatively easy access from the interstate.
They taught me to do socks while I was hanging around and I was invited to The Table immediately!
Oooohhh, that LYS sounds wonderful. I will admit, as much as I love my favorite LYS's - I don't think I've ever felt comfortable enough to sit down and knit in them.
If you're ever in York (PA that is), stop by to see the Yarn Girls at Uncommon Threads. Wednesday night is S&B night and though I'm usually not "the joiner", the group was very sweet and friendly. And quite the assortment. From elderly newbee knitters, to a teenager who resisted all help for kitchener stitch (there's a shock), it was a nice gathering. Lots of very nice yarn too.
Knit Wits in Greensburg, too,has the nicest owner, Pudge (not descriptive) and instructor, Eileen you'd ever hope to meet. And more Cascade 220 than I've ever seen in one place. (They also carry Autumn House yarns-verra, verra, nice.)
Love that sign! And it reminds me of New Orleans, or N'awlins, oh I can't spell that crazy creole accent...
I'm far enough out to not really have a yarn shop to call 'local'- but Shepherd's Choice is my favorite one to get to. The owner, Kathy, converted an old barn on her hobby farm into the cutest little yarn shop this side of the Mississippi. It doesn't hurt that she is just one of the sweetest women alive today.
Maybe being north of 'the cities' we have a lesser concentration of stressed out and crabby ladies, or maybe she just draws a good crowd, but I've never had a bad experience there yet.
Sheepy is fun, because I know the owner and her daughter, and it's in such a cute little town, a short walk from the fabulous Avalon Tea Room...
Yarn Cafe? Contemporary, and 'cool' in that respect, but less homey and inviting.
I'm eager to get to the newer Bella Lana- it looks absolutely lovely, I hope the vibe is as nice as the pictures look!
Enjoy the buffet...
Happy knitting-
ali
What adorable shirts! Glad you found a nice place to sit and knit on your trip.
BTW, your Chevron scarf in the last post is stunning!
My LYS has such sh*tty hours that I've never caught it open.
As a Pennsyltuckian, I love the state name exchange program ;)
Thanks for the great write up! From Kennsylvania to Pennsyltucky, we enjoy knitters from all over podunk!
Thanks for pointing out that store to me, since I'll ve moving into that area soon and knowing there is a welcoming yarn place waiting for me is very comforting.
I love the knit nook - I have one of their shirts I got a few years back when I got to visit there... I was with my sister or I would have sat down and joined the group knitting there... it seemed very welcoming! :)
Sounds like a great store! I had thought, prior to being a knitter that ALL knitting stores would be so homey and welcoming - ah, but "stink eye" you gave it a name for me - there is some really crummy service out there - this place sounds like heaven!
I love the Knit Nook tshirts! Sounds like a great store. I think we're pretty welcoming when we're sitting around the table at my LYS. I'll be more conscious of it now though. I went to a store in Indy one time where everyone was around the table including staff and they didn't eve look up when someone came in. I had no idea who was staff and ended up leaving without buying anything.
I've visited the Knit Nook and thought it was such a sweet shop and the owners incredible. Glad you found the little oasis.
You crack me up..."the buffet line."
I've encountered that store - the one with the big table that gives you the stink eye. I will never go back!
Are there *really* that many pronunciations? I didn't see any of them as "lewisville" or "looeeveeluh". I wonder....
Now, as for LYS, it's strange but the only one that truly has a table for you to plonk down at is Stash in Berkeley. I love everyone there and they have a KILLER location. Right on the strip in North Berkeley (read: ultra shi-shi).
But, I can't forget my first true love: Article Pract. They have a secret table in the back, but you're a bit cut-off from the action of the front of the store. If there were a cafe/knitting store (like Knit Cafe or Abundant Yarns and Dyeworks), I'd run away from home.
If you ever make it down to TN. try Threaded Bliss, it has the same open feeling. The "table" seems to grow no matter how many sit down. Glad you're around the corner in KY. Ya'll come visit, ya hear!!
T
I was one of the knitters the day you were in the Knit Nook. We were glad to have you and glad you enjoyed yourself. Your socks are gorgeous. Be sure to stop in next year. Colleen
Gourmet Yarn Company in Oklahoma City. True Heartland hospitality - no one leaves there as a stranger.
Comfy couches, and I swear some people HAVE run away from home to stay there. I go every chance I get (darn that pesky day job!) and there is always someone there to knit and visit with.
Monthly knit-ins with fun, food, and prizes!
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