A Verb for Keeping Warm

You know what it is about this place that makes it so Meh? It’s that it can’t decide what it wants to be. There are some (interesting) fabrics, some yarn, some spinning fibers, some random linen clothing, some hipstery packaged tailor’s scissors and chocolates, and some dye materials. I have the sense that someone there wants to be a dyer for honest and truly but just doesn’t have the backbone to make the store about that instead of 80 other things looking as though they posed for an Instagram shoot.
The staff is polite but not knowledgeable. When I go to a store, I want to talk to someone who knows as much or more than me about the subject at hand, not look at me blankly. And despite hosting an embroidery teacher and selling samplers, the embroidery supplies were woefully lacking – there weren’t even any needles to speak of for sale and the floss was in one tiny box full of drab colors.
It’s a shame because the shop could be so much more. Even if the focus changed to only hand-​dyed yarns and textiles, that would be vastly better than this unfocused mishmash. In short, get a focus, get some knowledgeable staff, and be the store you could be rather than what you think other people want.

I love this place. The selection of yarn is luscious and varied. I also took a great class on how to make one piece sweater with fitted shoulder seams. They have a wonderful selection of shawls and sweaters for inspiration. They often have displays of work by different designers that you can handle and try on. I only wish I had more money to spend on yarn. Most of their stock is hand-​dyed from small local sources, and I like independent businesses, but I can’t afford to indulge as much as I would like. That said, the yarn here is really beautiful and the staff is helpful.

I’m currently working on the Greyhound shawl/​scarf, which was made specifically for AVFKW by BabyCocktails (see Ravelry). However, you will not find this pattern in their store and they know little to nothing about it unless you wish to purchase a kit. I bought the Bandana color (Red) but there wasn’t another neutral that went with it. I was put on the wait list for the next die lot. The price was fairly high at $ 38 a skein for 385 yards, but because I really enjoyed the feel of the yarn I decided to wait and see. I got the email about the new colors and promptly went to visit the store (I live in Downtown Oakland… not very far indeed). I found the a light dove gray (Zinc) which I purchased. I was mulling over the idea of doing a different color (Even Smaller Annapurna) I was trying to figure out if I could still do the Greyhound out of that weight, but when I asked the associates for the gauge… neither knew it. It wasn’t listed on the label. Now, I’m from the PNW and I’ve visited most LYS in Washington State (Tolt, Churchmouse and The Tea Cozy are my rec’s.) but I’ve been searching for a LYS here in CA since we’ve moved down here. I cannot find one that has even a bit of the charm that WA LYS have. I do not feel welcome to browse, sit and knit or even ask questions about the gauge/​dyeing process or anything else really. This store is no exception. Not a welcoming atmosphere and very aloof associates. The one plus is that the café next door serves really awesome coffee. Search for a LYS continues…

AVFKW is definitely one of the loveliest fiber shops I’ve visited. I especially enjoyed the selection of naturally dyed yarns (I chose a skein dyed with cochineal). You could easily spend more than an hour here. They also have lots of beautiful samples to admire.

I first encountered AVFKW at Stitches West and absolutely LOVED their booth. I bought shawl kit and have finally started knitting with Annapurna. The downside is that even though the house yarn is merino/​cashmere blend, it feels much more like cotton vs a soft merino/​cashmere blend. Yarnsubs claims that Anzula Squishy and Fiberphile are near matches and after finishing a shawl in Anzula Squishy and moving onto Annapurna, the yarns feel DRASTICALLY different. Annapurna doesn’t feel anywhere as soft as Squishy or Fiberphile.
I stopped by the store on my East Bay Yarn Store crawl and was disappointed with the service. The staff was aloof and was a complete contrast to the service they were providing at Stitches West.
Most of the AVFKW yarns were out of stock and the ones in stock were extremely limited in color selection. Plus side is that they carried a great selection of other yarns.
I think they had a majority of the Shibui, Quince and Co., and a healthy MadTosh seelction. I even saw my beloved Woolfolk yarn.
Parking was fairly easy to find on a Sunday on San Pablo.
No real place to sit and knit for community knitting. Two very adorable shop dogs!

I don’t know what bad reviewers are talking about. Every time I come in the staff are extremely helpful and even endulge my chattiness. Not only that, but they have been able to answer my onslaught of questions or looked on the Internet as I learn how to weave and questions arise. Did I mention that they have every yarn you would ever need here? Because they pretty much do and what they don’t have they can point you in the direction of. Great store!

Definitely one of the best shops I have ever explored and is always a destination must when visiting the bay. They have such a top notch selection of yarns that you won’t be able to find in many shops (I’m referring to Brooklyn Tweed and Quince & Co of course). I love that from inside the shop you can see hand dyed yarn drying on the racks outside and they also sell yarns and dyes for you to try at home (I had to resist this time around but next time for sure!). I highly recommend visiting if you are looking for some quality yarn.
I also love their fabric collection, but since I’m not much of a sewer (yet) I can’t say I know what I was looking for… But it is inspiring!

My mother works with wool rovings to create very cute little characters. We were looking for some yellow and blue wool (she is making little minions), and were having the worst luck tracking some down! Ultimately, we discovered this little gem and voila! They had exactly what she needed (and so much more). There are tons of fun things in this store that very artist and creator would appreciate!
The only downside was that we had a hard time finding parking initially. It is definitely located in an unsuspecting neighborhood.

4 stars because we live SO FAR away from them!!!
We LOVE this magical store. Fabrics I cannot find in other stores… very dangerous for people like me… and my girlie… staff is very helpful…
We were very lucky to have met Gudrun Johnston there last year!

Super helpful, attentive staff helped me pick just the thing. You know that feeling of condescension you get in some yarn and fabric stores? Well, NONE of that here! Beautilful yarn, displayed in good lighting. Many knit samples of current patterns. Interesting fabrics, too– Shout out to Sarah, who quickly emailed me a response to my question.

Gorgeous hand-​dyed yarns with wonderful bases. The shop carries both its own line and several other lines, like Madelinetosh and Malabrigo. The staff is also very friendly and willing to help. However, the yarns here are definitely high-​end, and the prices reflect that. Given its prices, at least for me, it can’t be my go-​to yarn shop.

Love this place, analog heaven! My daughter is learning how to knit in first grade Waldorf School, and this is the best place to take her to get supplies. Dye garden and rabbits out back!

Inept service. I trotted in cheerfully at 5 on a Friday afternoon after fighting traffic to go 40 minutes out of my way to stop and get some summery spinning fiber… I was hoping for some cotton sliver, maybe some bamboo top, or some tussah. Clerks were clueless and clearly more interested in gossiping about the customer that had just left than in helping me.
As i stood in front of the spinning fiber display, i asked, «Hi, do you have any cotton sliver? I’m looking for some non woolen fibers to spin. ‘I don’t even know what that is,» replied the sales clerk, who had eventually mosied over to help me. Poking ineffectully at the bumps of merino, bfl, etc, she added, «This is like where, um, i guess our spinning stuff is.»
She appealed to the clerk at the register, who in a tart tone added, «Everything we have is out. I don’t even know what cotton sliver is, either.» Having thus congratulated each other on their ignorance, they returned to their primary responsibility of conversing with each other. I took a desultory look around the store, (during which I found anther display of fiber, btw), and left, without further acknowledgement. And now i shall place an online order.
This establishment has often had an arrogant tone, sometimes faint, and sometimes overt, like today. Other than their very hospitable employee Sarah, who has always been attentive and kind, they have chronically ignored or under-​served customers. They should see how helpful people are at real old-​timey yarn shops like the one in Alameda. The upshot is that we spinners and knitters have many choices and stores won’t get my custom if they can’t make the human touch outweigh higher prices, sales tax, and smaller selection.

I love this spot!
I found it scouring the web for knitting and crochet classes in the east bay… I had an itch to learn how to knit this particular week and they had an intro class scheduled. I signed up immediately! $ 22 for a 3-​hour knitting class of 5. Pretty great if you ask me.
Now, I’m a total noob… I knew absolutely nothing about knitting. Mckenzie was an excellent teacher. She helped everyone troubleshoot and was able to give repetitive step-​by-​step instruction! I recommend this to anyone learning how to knit. Now, I’m probably going to have to take a couple more classes in order to really get it down, but at $ 22 jeez I don’t mind if it takes 7.
Great location, great neighborhood, great selection of yarns! All of the wonderful ladies that worked there were able to give great advice on project-​related info.

I love love love the fabric corner here. They have great taste in fabric and I have been making the cutest scarves and skirts from the fabric I purchase here.
Can’t wait to go back and see what other sewing projects I come up with based on their fabric library.
And their customer services has been great every time I’ve visited so far. Have seen a different lady working at the counter each time and each one has asked if I needed help and answered any silly questions I had with a smile. :)

I think I’m in love. This carefully curated yarn shop should be on every knitters must visit list. The space is inviting. The staff is friendly. The shop dog is cute. Best of all, everything on offer, from the yarn to the fabric to the thread, is made from a natual fiber. They have enough of everything, too. Nothing is worse than falling in love with a skein of somethimg fabulous and not being able to buy it because there isn’t enough in the store to actually make that sweater/​afghan/​scarf you’ve had your eye on. The fabric section is bright and cherful. They don’t have a ton of buttons, but the ones they do have are fun. Same with the notions. I also liked the pattern selection and the knitting books on offer. The prices seemed pretty reasonable too. Highly recommended.

I have spent $$$$ at this store. Great textiles across the board.
However, I will not be returning. The customer service is a joke. It’s slowly been getting worse. If you have any questions or need help with a project, good luck. Even my husband said «is it always like that when you go in there, they kinda suck.»

Tuesday is such an odd day to close!
I came 1.8 miles out of my way walking. The store clerk was there and she would not help me.
The ladies at my knitting circle recommended this place to me but geez what a shit show and not in the best neighborhood either. I WILL NOT BE RETURNING. You lost a big sale and customer. I ended up spending $ 50 at Michaels today instead and got customer satisfaction.

I just love this place. I feel so lucky to have Verb in my area. I am an avid knitter and sewer and I always find something there to inspire me. They have an amazing selection of yarn and fabric of really high quality. The space itself is so beautiful, so rich, open and well lit. The usually have a trunk show or items they have crafted to give you plenty of ideas. They offer a variety of classes and often have a well known knitter/​designer dropping by for a book signing, a talk or a demonstration.
The staff is knowledgeable and very helpful.
If you are a sewer, knitter or wanna be crafter, support this store. This is the type of small business that really deserves our support.

If you saw my costume — the Amazonian Mardi Gras-​diator Viking Princess one — at the Unilocal Elite Prizefighter party, and thought to yourself… where does one find such stunningly unique, purple, blue and gold-​gilded skull fabric that can so easily be thrown across one’s shoulders as a DIY toga? Well, I’ll give you a hint. It’s a verb…
…For Keeping Warm. Duh!
I had peered into this shop during so many visits to Actual Café and was thrilled to have an excuse to venture in. The fabrics are gorgeous, quirky, and quality — in a completely different league than someplace like JoAnn’s. This is a shop for the truly crafty, a place you can go without a specific project in mind, but leave with loads of inspiration and all the goods you need to manifest it.
The ladies were super helpful. I told them about my strange mission to find a gold-​ish fabric to make a Gladiator costume with, and they directed me to this crazy gold skull material. Jackpot! She also suggested this really lovely green and brown died silk ribbon to use as a «leather”-looking arm wrap. Double Jackpot!
I also spied some fabric with a mustache print. I can’t wait for an event to wear that to! Ideas anyone?