Lofty Lou’s Yarn Shop

This is an update of several previous reviews dating back 5 or 6 years. Hard to believe, but Lou’s is better than ever in terms of its selection of yarns. Located in a small house near downtown Placerville, Lou’s is not huge but it does have a huge selection. It now carries even more cool lines, including lots of Mountain Colors and Noro and even Madeline Tosh. Best selection of yarns, needles, etc, in the area. Definitely plan your visit so you can stop in next door at Sweetie Pie’s for coffee and a cinnamon roll (make it before 3 as they’re only open thru lunch).

I have been a customer at Lofty Lou’s since Lou opened the shop 20+ years ago! I’m thrilled with the recent expansion of this business. The new team, of which Lou is a member, is enthusiastic, creative, knowledgeable, and very customer oriented. I’m impressed with the huge variety of yarns, fibers, patterns, notions, reasonable prices, and «university» knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, and felting classes that are available. The positive, creative energy is invigorating. I love all of the events such as the grand opening, trunk show, weekly evening knitting gatherings, and Knit in Public. Staff in the store have great ideas for projects and are incredibly helpful, (even over the phone!) if I get stuck. When you visit the shop, be sure to sign up to receive their e-​mails. Their e-​mails are timely, clear, fun, and announce events in advance, welcoming all to join! I love being a member of this welcoming, innovative, and enthusiastic knitting community! Come join us!
Jeannine W.

With this store’s amazing selection, I want to give it a 5, but twice I’ve gone in for a specific high end yarn and though they have plenty of the good stuff, they didn’t have what I needed either time.
This is still better in every way than buying from a big box store, and for people like me who only enjoy knitting with natural fibers, the selection is nice.

I am a yarn shop junkie so trust me when I say this is one of the best yarn stores I have ever visited! Very nice selection of yarn; as another reviewer noted it’s a bit pricy, but no more so than any other strictly yarn store, especially considering the extensive variety of yarns from around the world. I personally have found the customer service to be consistently excellent, and I wouldn’t consider myself to be a regular, so they aren’t just being friendly and helpful because they recognize me. They have a nice yarn winding service (for yarns bought in-​store), and I have found them to be especially gracious and helpful with knitting instructions even if you didn’t buy the yarn in the store.

you have to love a yarn shop, especially if you do needle work, like I do. who ever is buying their materials has a great eye for color. nice selection, and as usually for a non-​chains tore yarn shop, its pricey. but who cares… knitting is a meditation and if you want to make something, make something nice. its an indulgence, so go for it.

A few weekends ago I made a point to go here to get out of the big box craft stores and the wal-​mart. I’ve been in here before, but never have looked very seriously to purchase anything.
The selection for me was overwhelming, but a lot of that has to do with me being a little green when it comes to fibers. I walked around and petted all of the pretty things with my mouth agape and eyes wide. It’s tactile heaven.
There service was just OK. T here was a trio of people that seemed to be very experienced and regulars, and although the clerk offered help, I felt a little out of place and not entirely welcomed. But who knows, the guys she was talking to was sort of an obnoxious know it all, maybe she was politely trying to find an out. I didn’t get that feeling, but after they finally left I asked for some advice and told her I was sort of new and she helped me out. I noticed she didn’t try and upsale me, and that I very much appreciate.
I will definitely be back, but I do sort of hope to have a little more friendly clerk. Heck, maybe they should hire me for weekends…

Nice yarn shop. I was especially happy to find spinning and weaving supplies here. The yarn selection is good and they have some nice fiber for spinning as well. If you find yourself here stop in and have breakfast next door (Sweetie Pie’s).
Now I just have to spin up the fiber I bought :)