Learn to Knit in St. Louis
Knitorious: “It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Yarn Shop”
Knitorious is located at 6136 Southwest Avenue, and is easily reached by taking exit 34C (Hampton Road) from US 40. Parking can be a little difficult (often, the only available spaces are on a steep incline), but the shop’s yarn selection is worth it. Knitorious offers classes on the following topics: Basic Seaming, Intermediate Beginner, Felted Bag, Slipper Socks, Mittens, Learn To Knit Socks, and Fair Isle/Intarsia. (More detailed information is available on Knitorious’s website.)
While I continue to shop at Knitorious because of their excellent yarn selection, my feelings regarding this shop are a bit mixed. Knitorious makes a great effort to carry both novelty and more classic yarns, and to appeal to customers who desire the hipster feel that knitting currently gives. However, I personally have no problem with my grandmother’s yarn selections and find eyelash yarn rather itchy, and in my interactions with the owner, her condescenscion has been rather grating. Nevertheless, the shop’s other employees and the wide selection of high-end, good quality yarns have kept me coming back, even though the owner seems confused that a gal of my age prefers knitting lace to garter stitch eyelash scarves. If you are planning on becoming a frequent customer, the rewards card Knitorious offers is a good investment – $10 guarantees you 10% off each purchase, which makes the prices more reasonable.
Bottom line: If you’ve money to spare and don’t mind the obnoxious owner, the employees at Knitorious know their stuff and are happy to answer questions. I expect their classes are good quality, if pricey.
Web Presence:www.knitorious.com
Chris’ Needle Craft Supply
Located all the way out in Chesterfield at 13393 Olive Blvd in Woodchase Plaza, Chris’ Needle Craft Supply is one of St. Louis’s best bargains. The friendly atmosphere is apparent as soon as you enter from the knitters often ensconced at the front table. Not only are the owners incredibly sweet and helpful, they have gone out of their way to keep prices as low as possible. While their selection of high-end yarns is not large, they do carry Plymouth, Crystal Palace, Misti Alpaca, and Cascade yarns, amongst others. Chris’ Needle Craft Supply offers Beginners, Intermediate, and Open Forum knitting classes at truly bargain rates. (A crochet class is also offered.) As one might conclude from the name, Chris’ Needle Craft Supply also has supplies for crocheters, cross-stitchers, and those who do other types of embroidery.
Bottom line: Classes at Chris’ Needle Craft Supply are extremely inexpensive, and the owners are very knowledgeable. Only the remote location and less extensive yarn selection might deter you.
Web Presence:http://chrisneedlecraftsupply.com/
Myers Weaving House
A historic Florissant home on the National Register of Historic Places, the Myers Weaving House at 180 Dunn Road is also a delightful yarn and fabric depot. The yarn store is located on the second floor of the house, and consists of many rooms of high-end yarns. Myers Weaving House undeniably has the best yarn selection in St. Louis, as well as friendly and well-informed salespeople, and is a mecca for any knitter, quilter, or weaver in the area. While Myers Weaving House does not, to my knowledge, offer classes at this time, its employees are always happy to answer questions and offer helpful tips. Prices are quite reasonable.
Bottom line: Once you’ve learned to knit, Myers Weaving House is where you should go to enhance your yarn stash! Located next to I-170, this yarn store isn’t hard to reach, either.
Web Presence:St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission Fact Sheet
