Kerbside pickup
Yes
Downtown Yarns in New York
Categories
Location on the map
New York, New York County, New York, US
Service options
In-store pick-up
Yes
In-store shopping
Yes
Health and safety
Mask required
Yes
Staff wear masks
Yes
Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits
Yes
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible car park
No
Planning
Quick visit
Yes
Payments
NFC mobile payments
Yes
Phone: +1 212-995-5991
Site: https://www.instagram.com/downto...
Site: https://www.instagram.com/downto...
Opening hours
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:Closed
- Wednesday:12–7PM
- Thursday:12–7PM
- Friday:12–7PM
- Saturday:12–7PM
- Sunday:Closed
Comments (109)
Adorable shop with amazing yarns. Very nice ladies who were very attentive. Also loved the gorgeous samples on the walls.
Adorable shop, a must visit stop for any crafter into their wool. Great selection, some good pieces on display, and helpful owners/staff.
I love going yarn hoping. Going to the various yarn shops throughout NYC, seeing all of the new and vibrant colors and designs in the yarn. With that being said, Downtown Yarns is a quaint little shoppe loaded with yarn brands that you havent been aware of. The young woman that manages the establishment is warm and pleasant as she greets you in. The shoppe is limited in size, but jam packed with products. The utilization of the space is great. The service is excellent. There is a feeling of calm there (for lack of a better word Zen). When I want to get inspired or inspiration when creating a new piece, I head over to Downtown Yarns.
I came here with a friend to help her buy some yarn and just stepping into the cozy little shop made me want to plan a visit back there to stock up on some yarn and crochet needles, Even though I live in Brooklyn. Also the people who worked in the store were nothing short of welcoming and kind.
If you enjoy shopping in a store that feels like a Biosafety Level 4 laboratory, then this place is for you! The door is locked so you have to wait to be ushered in - preferably while wearing a hazmat suit. One step in and they immediately spray you with hand sanitizer. Of course you must wear a mask - but BEWARE! Even if it IS well over your nose, you will be informed that it’s not over your nose exactly they way they want it - pulled up over your forehead maybe? I don’t know. If you spend more than a few minutes shopping for yarn, you’ll be sprayed AGAIN with hand sanitizer, and yes, a little later, AGAIN. If you manage to make it to the register (reeking of hand sanitizer) without having contracted the hantavirus, there’s ANOTHER surprise in store for you! You’ve spent nearly $200 on yarn and they will charge you a nickel for a bag. I guess it’s to cover the cost of all the hand sanitizer.It’s one of those stores where you know the owners are nuts and they make you uncomfortable, but you tolerate them because you just want to get what you need and leave as fast as you can. That was me but I’ve had enough. There are plenty of places that are welcoming where I will be spending my money instead. I suggest you do the same.
Went there on a Tuesday 1pm and the shutters were down. Owner should update their opening hours so ppl dont visit there in vain especially on a freezing cold day.
Adorable little yarn store. The staff is so kind and helpful. Im new to knitting and always have a million questions and they are happy to help! They are also taking precautions to make the store very safe right now which I appreciate a lot!
I love this LYS. The yarn options are incredibly well curated with a wide range of fibers, weights, colors and price points. The store appears quite small and somehow has some of everything, even fiber for spinning. I love that I can rely on them to have a good selection of basic solids while also carrying luxury yarns that go beyond just a selection of hand dyed. I have been a customer for years and I always look forward to going in and chatting with Leti. I was impressed with the innovative steps she took to get people yarn safetly during lockdown and I really appreciate the steps she has taken to make customers feel safe shopping during the pandemic. She takes our health and the health of her and her employees seriously.
The selection was beautiful and colorful, the shop keeper has plenty of examples of functional knitted art, and customer service was excellent. I fealt like she cared that I enjoy my first time shopping for knitting goods. Im glad I perchased a book as well.
My favorite yarn store, great selection and friendly staff
Kind owners and a great store. Not a huge, overwhelming yarn store. All staff is very knowledgeable.
I’ve been going to downtown yarns since i was in the 1st grade - I’m 26 now. So happy they made it through this pandemic. Amazing staff since 2000. Every time i step into the store as an adult i feel like a kid again. Beautiful nostalgic feeling!
Great little shop!! First time going in and what a great experience! The ladies in the shop were extremely helpful and kind. Was able to find what I was looking for. They had a variety great yarns!!
They have almost everything you need for knitting. The selections of the yarns are abundant. And the ladies working here are very nice and helpful. Once you step in the store, you will be attracted to the amazing knitting projects-the sweater, cap, dress, gloves and so many other things you can’t believe they are handmade. For me, it is a yarns wonderland. My mom is traveling from China and she bearly speaking English. And she wants to get some great quality yarns to knit a sweater for my son. I have no idea about yarns and knitting. I just found the store by chance after our lunch nearby. My mom is excited. One of the ladies helped us to find all the things my mom need by understanding my moms body language! Knitting experts world! This store made my day! Love it.
I loved the sound of the wooden screen door closing. This store is an oasis in a busy city. Excellent customer service, great selection of yarn. Well worth a stop.
Im just a hobbyist and amateur when it comes to knitting/crocheting so I always feel a bit nervous visiting a new yarn place, but this shop is so wonderful! I felt at home and with friends almost instantly. Plus theres a cute dog so I REALLY felt at home. Theres a great variety of yarn there. I left feeling completely confident with my choice of yarn and that Id definitely come back for all my future yarn purchases!
Downtown Yarns is a must stop for anyone looking for beautiful yarns. They carry a wide range of lines, from affordable to indie, and everything in between. The staff are all super helpful and kind. The owner is the best. I feel good shopping here because I always get the type of yarns I want to work with, and I know I am supporting a local, community-based business. Thanks, DTY!
A bit pricey, but her stuff is all natural, no synthetics, so it makes sense. Very calm atmosphere. Shes got excellent Covid-19 protocols.
Best kept secret. This is a great store. I live in the nabe now and this is my go to yarn store for fiber goodness. Lots of basics and a great stock of independent dyers and spinners. They also have classes for knitting and spinning. One of the great garment designers whose stuff you see in every knitting magazine also works here part time. You can be sure to get no pressure help and original patterns by Irina with purchase for cute baby gifts and accessories. A full library of regular patterns and books are also available for purchase. This neighborhood also has great places to eat for rounding out your East Village visit.
The yarn shop that I love going to. They have natural fibers and my mom is allergic to wool, but she was able to find 100% cotton yarn that she loves. I was able to find the cotton marine blend that helped me make a rabbit for a friend. Everyone is always willing to help and its the best place to get advise. I got my knitting and crocheting classes here.
Ive been shopping there for years and love going into the store. Theyve helped me create some unique projects with lovely yarns and accessories. Always torn between running my fingers over the yarns and petting the very friendly dog. Worth the extra money for the friendly & fun human touch.
Buy local! Very cute yarn store, next door to the Essex Card shop that suffered a terrible fire January 10, 2022.
This store is very cozy!! That isnt a thinly veiled way to say small either - its just a really nice, welcoming, cozy place! There is lots of yarn stacked up along the walls and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful!
This is my happy place!! Such a great selection of all types of yarns and amazing workers who are so nice and helpful
I wanted to help her small business the shop has small selection of yarn thou colorful; i went there cause and bought yarn 3 times all 3 times I was appalled by her behavior. the owner is incredibly Rude and passive aggressive, she is a mole. now she wont have my money. I was so disturbed by her ways. I move my business in soho yarn place were I was greeted and helped all the way thought my purchase
Staff was attentive and helpful. I gave it 4 stars because I wanted a book on crochet and they said they dont carry things to crochet.
Its cheaper to buy yarn online, however if you desire the human touch when shopping then this store is where you need to go. The owner is the sweetest person, and her store actually feels like youve walked into her living room. I adore this store and everything thats inside.
Small shop in downtown but full of beautiful yarns. The staff is really nice and big dog is wonderful! I bought some nice yarns and colorful circular needles. recommend it to everyone, in my next trip in new york ill definitely return!
Although a smaller store they manage to pack a lot of great yarns on the shelves. Beautiful colors and textures in many different weights. The owners are very helpful & friendly offering suggestions for projects & house patterns. The store mascot Zachy is too adorable & made a great diversion for my dtr:) Highly recommend stopping by if your are ever in NY.
I absolutely adore this lovely shop. The best yarns - in both color and variety - are offered, and the service is impeccable. This shop is warm, inviting, cozy and curious; the stockists have curated a stunning selection of offerings - hedgehog, noro, malabrigo, tosh and ito to name a few. I was attended to at every turn yet never felt rushed. My selections were held while I fed the meter and the shop runners offered advice and color opinion enthusiastically. If i resided in town, I’d live here. Definitely worth the patronage, if an NYC resident (beautiful slice of Alphabet City), and truly worth the trip if you’re not. Excellent selection of yarn and needles, and the people were just plain awesome. Love this place, and will be back. Nearby parking is ample. L-O-V-E downtown yarns!!
My FAVORITE yarn store in all of NYC. Quaint but with a superb selection. Even better are the staff who are extremely personal and will really help you find what youre looking for. I dont even live nearby anymore but continue to come back for the people and the vibes (way better than Purl!).
Lovely local yarn shop. Discovered it through the NYC Yarn Crawl event. Staff was super friendly and helpful. Be aware that they may have a dog in shop if you have allergies. Hes very calm and friendly.
Came in to get a couple of skeins for finishing a sweater. The place is very cozy, the staff very friendly, and they rolled my purchase into balls for me! Will be returning to start my next project. I’m particularly happy by the breadth of the selection and the way it’s organized.
They were so helpful and the shop was so cute! I needed help trying to hand knit my wedding dress and they helped steer me in the right track. Definitely recommend!
I visited this shop in November as a tourist from the UK I would have loved to bring it home to Yorkshire with me but alas didnt. Beautiful yarns even though many from the Uk. Lovely staff. If I am lucky enough to return to NYC i will hopefully return.
Two employees were in the store. A friendly, mellow older woman and a snippy younger woman. Luckily the older woman helped me with finishing my purchase. I don’t plan to go back.
Love this place. They are so helpful and nice. I dont know of a better yarn shop in NY. Great selection. They have also been able to get me things on special order!
Cute small shop. Friendly staffs. Prices are also lower than other yarns shops I went in NYC before.
Super cute, colorful and fun place to find fibers of dreams!! love downtown yarns
Really lovely yarn store. Carries Madelinetosh, Shibui Knits and Jade Sapphire yarns. Has a larger lace selection than Purl Soho. The store dog is super sweet, fluffy and calm. I’ll come back again!
Downtown Yarns have a great range of yarns and accessories. The ladies working there are very knowledgeable and are more than happy to help you. They also offer a range of classes from beginners to advanced.
Extremely helpful staff...I stumbled in as a beginner looking for advice on the type of yarn and needle I would need, and they helped me without any judgement of my lack of knowledge. Cant comment on prices because I dont have much experience with knitting supplies
This shop has an amazing selection, great location, with an incredibley friendly, but not overbearing, staff! Leti seems super sweet and helpful! Definitely give it a visit if you’re a knitting/ textile enthusiast.
Rita and the lady with the cool clothes and hairstyles are the best! I stopped going to my LYS in Brooklyn (Argyle ) because of her horrible energy and attitude. I will shop nowhere else but Downtown Yarns. They have lovely yams and will even repair damaged knit garnets. Love them.
This place got so many stars I figured I would try it. The one staff member with bunny ears was terrifying everyone & I’m not being funny. She was awful. If one is that worried about the virus they need to stay home. She started barking orders the minute you walk in. She is like a small barking dog.
I love this place. The yarn is priced the lowest in NYC and it is pretty spacious. I enjoy the owner and young lady with the colorful hats. If you deal with anyone else, you might be stalked or spoken down to.
I love this yarn store! Then selection is amazing and the owner and staff are friendly and helpful. They get as excited about my projects as I do!
I love this store! Always come here first--a real neighborhood store. Small space with a well curated selection of yarns. Always seem to have what I need.
A great, small yarn shop with friendly employees and a wide variety of yarns and knitting/crocheting items. They offer knitting/crocheting classes, and offer any and all assistance needed.
This yarn store is my favorite place ,it is truly wonderful , full of beautiful yarns and the ladies are so knowledgeable and helpful you always wanna go back !! or not leave !! plain and simple.. a True Gem in the East Village!! I love you guys!! Thank You for everything ,Thank You!!
I visited from the UK and found the staff really lovely and I loved all the yarns they had. The best experience and vibe form those I visited in my 2 weeks in NYC!
Good yarn selection with everything a knitter would need--and the nicest, friendliest, super helpful staff!
I love the eclectic variety of yarn, notions and knitting supplies. The staff is friendly and helpful and the sweet dog Zacky is irrestiable!
The best high end yarns in the neighborhood. I love this store. A NYC gem!
A great store! Small, sweet and friendly atmosphere. It is a true LYS! The owners neighborhood friends drop in and visit. The owner has BINDERS full of original patterns that are free with a purchase!! A must visit when you are in Alphabet City!!! xoxo
The yarns are beautiful as are the colors. The sales person was low key and helpful. I visit every time Im in the city.
This yarn store is so unique and in an accessible place in the village. It has a comfy vibe and the people there are so nice!
I Love this place. The ladies working there are very knowledgable and patient. ❤❤❤❤❤love that they offer patterns as well as samples for the patterns. Must visit for anyone that knits.
They were very welcoming and pleasant. Overall great experience and they have great yarn.
My first visit to this store, love the vibe and great selection of yarn.
Super friendly without being overbearing... great yarn selection. Great needle selection too!
A very pleasant surprise at Downtown Yarns, wasnt able to get the adorable pin as part of the NYC yarn crawl, staff is extremely friendly!!
This is my favorite yarn shop in NYC! They have a wonderful selection of yarns in a beautiful space.
Gorgeous yarn and really nice employees.
They are sweet and kind people who help you to use their gorgeous yarns.
Excellent place to find good yarns. The ladies were truly helpful with the information I required
Know leg able and very helpful. Wide array of colors and soft yarns.
This shop is a GEM with a beautiful selection of yarns and friendly and helpful staff. Number one in my book.
My favorite go to yarn store. A beautifully curated store.
I loved this place. Great yarns, excellent service and a pooch to boot! Ill be going back.
Very helpful, professional and friendly staff. Knowledge about their yarns!
Nice to have a nearby fabric store
Very pleasant atmosphere and helpful staff. Good variety of weights and colors: natural fibers.
Cozy store with helpful people, lots of samples, and a huge furry dog lying on the floor. What more can you ask for?
Great service and good selection of yarns.
Great petite local yarn spot. Very helpful staff!
Great selection of yarns and helpful staff!
Beautiful yarns and great customer service.
Friendly knowledgeable staff, rich and varied selection, very affectionate dog (Zack)
I like it because its not over priced like Knitty City
Friendly and helpful. Beautiful yarns.
Even though I live 49 blocks away, this is my neighborhood yarn shop!
Broad selection of yarns in all colors and fabrics.
Wonderful variety, and theres some space to sit too!
Selection was ok but the staff was very friendly and helpful.
Cozy store, friendly staff, and fun classes.
Excellent products and service!! The shop feels like home.
Nice helpful and quality yarns
Very homey feel to it and the workers are nice
Excellent selection and great service!
Not as friendly after Rita left.
Best yarn in the city
Super friendly and helpful staffs
Nice customer services
Wonderful selection!
Always great!
Nice place. Ok selection of yarn, used to far larger selections elsewhere especially the hand dyed variety, lots was name brand yarns and I prefer the local and independent obes. Very small shop. They are VERY insistent on not only masks but hand sanitizer at door before will let you in, and that is fine but... My sons mask slipped a bit and they yelled across the store to put it back up before I could even say anything to him. He was watching my phone and sitting quietly in a corner. Not your job to say anything to my child, and frankly it was rude the tone you had. You should have said something to me and I would have taken care of it. Your job is sell yarn. Nothing else.
One of the most varied stocks Ive come across❣️Wires worldwide✔️
Thank you for the attention that the store attendants gave me. I went there, there was no product, but they made it possible and impossible for me to bring to Brazil, my so dreamed KNITTER SPOOL. They located in another store, put me inside the taxi. .... finally, I left there very happy !!!! Thank you all.Leda
Total reviews rating 4.7
109 Reviews for Downtown Yarns 2023:
Review №1
2022-05-24Lovely yarn and great inspiration. The yarn selection was really good and I love the local yarns! The ladies were helpful and they had a pattern book that I had not seen before from Japan - I am excited to start knitting from the book. I really enjoyed visiting the yarn store and I will be back soon! Great store! lovely selection and very friendly!
Review №2
2022-06-23I was looking for a yarn shop with locally made or died yarn. Was so happy to find this one with the sweetest most helpful customer service and beautiful hand died yarn. Definitely would recommend!
Review №3
2022-04-28Very relieved to know that I will NOT ever be coming into contact with Walter Kurtz when I shop at Downtown Yarns ( please shop places that dont care about their customers and staffs health). NYC law requires all stores to charge a nickel for paper bags to cut back on the massive single use waste on our streets and shipped to other states to deal with at a tremendous expense. I love Downtown Yarns! Its one of my favorite stores. Beautiful yarn, helpful and supportive staff, cute homey feel and the only place that has all the types and sizes of knitting needles in the face of supply chain disruption.
Review №4
2022-06-26Downtown Yarns has an amazing selection and incredibly helpful staff! I came in with a photo of what I was looking to make and they helped me pick out a gorgeous yarn that I am so excited to work with. They’ll even ball the yarn for you, free of charge! I’d recommend Downtown Yarns for anyone looking for high quality yarns and/or may need advice on starting their next project!
Review №5
2021-03-11I spent a lot of time in this place. The lady that works here was very helpful and patient. They have good knowledge about the different types of yarns they sell. They also roll the yarns for you. This place felt like an attraction. There are so many projects in this store. I live far away from this place but it was worth traveling to.
Review №6
2022-05-22Great selection of fairly priced, nice quality yarns. Huge colour and material range! Will definitely be coming back next time I am in the area!
Review №7
2019-11-13I love their yarns! Some are very colorful, different materials. Lots of yarn options. Good quality with good price! The attendat is very accomodating with all my questions and willing to assist me look for the specific yarn i was looking for.They have some displays of finished yarn products you can get inspired.As i know nothing about yarn, she explains to me the types of yarn and their use. I was here to shop for a friend who is into knitting. Very accesible, theres metered parking right in front of the store, bus stops are close by, F train is few blocks away.
Review №8
2022-03-07Cutest little yarn shop in nyc! the employees are really cool and super helpful. prices are also good especially for a store in Manhattan. definitely coming back soon!
Review №9
2018-09-30Cute little shop, might be hard to miss if youre not looking for it. Good prices and a good selection of wool yarn. They also have roving and buttons. Staff are super friendly.
Review №10
2020-12-05Excellent customer service. Beautiful colors and Natural yarn to choose from. I brought two colors of yarn, 4.5mm crochet hook and a tape measurer. Am gonna make a hat yall.