Atelier Yarns

I signed up for the Beginner Knitting class three months in advance because I wanted to attend over four Tuesdays, as it was the best day of the week for my schedule, pre-​paying for the class and materials at the time. I was really looking forward to it, so when I received a call a couple days before what was to be the first class, asking me if I could attend on Mondays instead, I grudgingly accepted. I was camping at the time, so decided hastily, and I have an overly-​accommodating personality. My mistake. Unfortunately, I returned from the camping trip sick, truly, so called Monday to tell I couldn’t go after all. They decided I would attend the next three sessions, when they could catch me up. When I couldn’t attend the next Monday class, either, I asked if I could have a credit to attend the next time there were Tuesday offerings. They said ‘no.’ Essentially, from my perspective, they were unaccommodating throughout and wouldn’t extend me the same courtesy I had tried to extend them; neither would they refund me the class fee. I was disappointed. At least I was able to collect the materials for which I had pre-​paid at the store, which I remembered to do on my own after the back and forth over whether all this was fair or not. Otherwise, it seems like a charming store with knowledgable staff.

Cute store, lots of great yarns, amazing horn buttons, and FRIENDLY Customer service! No idea why other reviews were so bad?! The ladies were accommodating enough to help me find the right size buttons and tapestry needles plus they took time to give me advice on my project in progress. Not as wide a selection of yarns as other stores I’ve seen, and I didn’t see anything in the way of roving but it’s possible I missed it while chatting with the staff. In general a very clean well organized shop.

Why come here when there’s the Disneyland of Yarn Stores in the same city?
Store was really small and the stock was limited to a huge supply of Karabella in every single weight and color. Great if you’re a Karabella fan… if not, you’re out of luck.
Extremely limited and small quantities of other lines. I think there was 4 skeins of MadelineTosh.
Customer service was lacking and practically non existent. I had to climb on their step stool to pull a hank of yarn to look at. The one lady working at the time was more interested in knitting and chatting with a regular customer that was sitting on a stepstool.
Pricing is also on the higher side of the suggested retail prices set by the manufacturers. One visit was enough for me to scratch it off of the lists.

Why does this place get such a bad rap? The owner isn’t pleasant, this is true. But she’s never there any more. She lives over in Marin and should stay there. But the people who do work here are lovely. The prices are high, but comparable to Imagin Knit and other yarn shops in the city. So if you are looking for some yarn in this side of town, give it a try.

I’ve taken Beginning Knitting and Beginning Knitting 2 with Linda Kaiser. What a great intro from a supportive, talented woman! I would highly recommend the classes if you are new to the craft. Even if you aren’t new, they offer workshops plus great customer service every time I’ve walked in with some question or idea. Love this place!

I wasn’t sure what to expect with the mixed reviews. I used to live near Imagiknit and really liked that store bu I moved away from the Imaginknit neighbhorhood and nearer to Atelier. So, as I embarked on a new project, and didn’t want to cross town and fight for parking at my old knitting haunt, I decided to give Atelier a try. I thought the Atelier staff was super helpful, patient with my project and yarn indecisiveness, and went the extra mile of telling me to feel free to come back if I needed help. I look forward to doing more business with the store.

It’s a nice store with an edited collection. It had some good yarn, but nothing I couldn’t find elsewhere. The customer service was not friendly, but was adequate. Not sure I’ll go back

When I first went to Atelier about 5 years ago, the staff wasn’t very friendly, and I gave up on it, even though it’s within walking distance from my home. However, a few years later I had a yarn emergency and braved it. I was very pleased to find that the (newer?) staff was very nice and helpful, and I no longer avoid the store.
The prices are a bit higher than other yarn stores, but the service is good.

I really don’t know why anyone would give this place less that five stars. It baffles me.
I recently dropped by Atelier Yarns on a whim and I found the two ladies working the store on the rainy afternoon lovely and helpful. Apparently the owner was out on maternity leave but the employees were awesome. They worked hard to find me the right yarns for the projects I had in my Ravelry queue.
What they didn’t have in stock they offered to order. So, just incredibly helpful!
(That rabbit fur yarn is legit and I’m gonna own that. First I need to get a second job and save up some money, but for real, I’m gonna get some of that.)

Infinite assortment of balls of yarn and the most friendliest and attentive staff that a knitting rookie can ever hope for. I came in with the notion that I would knit a baby blanket for my niece’s Christmas gift. The staff was incredibly patient while I let my fickleness dominate my decision on types/​color of yarn. I’ve learned to love knitting from one visit here!

I’m taking a knitting class here with Linda and she’s an amazing teacher. I’m learning all of the basics, how to knit in the round, how to fix stitches, how to knit continental, things that were difficult to learn on my own. She’s patient, hilarious, and has so many excellent teaching tips. I highly recommend her classes.
I also went in to shop for yarn this weekend and the women who work here were very nice and helpful. I love that there is a range of yarn quality and prices.

I visited this shop on a recent trip to San Francisco. I had looked at their website before I went in order to get a feel for what they offered. I set my sights on some rabbit fur yarn that they were featuring. I wanted something I couldn’t find at home.
The women in the shop were very warm and friendly. They helped me find what I was looking for and answered my questions about the rabbit yarn since I’ve never worked with that fiber before. They also shared the shawl pattern that they were working on and I must say there was a lot of knit-​nerdery flying. I was in my element.
I noticed there are several reviews that mention high prices, but that is true if all yarn boutiques. These shop specialize in quality yarns so I never expect a bargain. What I expect is a knowledgeable & friendly staff (check), a great selection of quality yarns (check), and an organized & well-​lit shop (check).
I will definitely visit this shop the next time I am in SF.

I was in SF and had a half an hour to kill before my next appointment. I made my way over and was delighted. The neighborhood was really great; much different than when I lived here some years ago; cute and interesting. The manager was friendly and helpful. My favorite part was when she sold me DPNs that were sustainably made in northern California. «We’re very proud of them.» She told me.
Great selection. Can’t comment on price, but if all I wanted was a bargain, I’d shop on line. But then I wouldn’t get to visit LYSs all around the country.

While I must admit this yarn store does have a large variety of yarn, the service and price are what bring the Unilocal score down. One woman who works at the store (a bit older) is quite awkward and watches you like a hawk when you walk around the store. Have a little more faith in your customers. I wanted to feel the different types of textures so I knew what would be a good fit and she basically told me to stop touching things. I’m not 5!

Most importantly, a great selection of yarn, particularly if you are looking for something unusual and/​or luxurious. It is always nice to see old favorites, but when I am really shopping for yarn, it is often for a gift knit or special garment for myself (Jade Sapphire’s aran weight cashmere for my DH and Laines du Nord dk weight silk for me are two of my recent purchases). Atelier also carries unique and fun accessories, including Offhand Designs bags, which are GORGEOUS!
The shop is cozy but well organized and easy to find things and the staff is very friendly and helpful. I always include this on the agenda for a San Francisco yarn crawl. Enjoy!

I wanted to like this place I really did. It’s not all negative, they do have a very nice yarn selection. (though it is quite pricey) But I find the people who work there to be, gossipy and offensive. They’re constantly talking extremely loudly at all times. And I personally found the airing of their personal opinions to be offensive. (if a woman wants to keep her own name after getting married that’s her prerogative, and insulting children because their hyphenated name was «too long» seemed a little over the top.) Then to top it off as I was making my purchase I was asked if I had checked the dye lots. I had not. I received an exasperated sigh and the clerk went over to «fix my mistake» I told her it was fine but she wouldn’t listen. She came back, rang up my purchase, and didn’t let me inspect her new selection. (granted I should have asked but at that point I felt a little shamed & just wanted to get out of there.) I left and when I got home I realized She had gotten me the completely wrong color! (I was purchasing cream yarn, she grabbed me white. Though to her credit it was the same dye lot as the cream)
I’ve been there a handful of times because I always want to support my local yarn shop, but I will be sticking to Imagiknit from now on.

Grace deserves 5 stars… I used to shop there all the time… she was great…
I learned to knit socks from her… the seamless sweater… she’s lovely… oh, I’ve already said that… she is a great teacher…
Then…she’s not there all the time… sorry, Grace… for good reasons…
Things went downhill from there… I went in off and on… but the service really was not the same… neither was the selection of yarn… I don’t want to dredge up the bad experiences… but it takes bad service for me to stop buying yarn from them…
Sorry, Grace… it’s not you…

There are really not enough nice things I can say about Atelier Yarns. I came in looking to learn how to knit about two weeks ago and since then have learned so much about the world of knitting.
I unfortunately couldn’t take the group lessons due to my schedule, but instead took two private lessons with the store manager, Linda. She is awesome, hands down. Patient and very clear with her instruction. She’s taught me the basics and provided some tips and tricks as well.
I think what I like most about Atelier is the friendly vibe you get from everyone in the store. I’ve been in a couple of times now (yes, I might be addicted) and each time someone is there to ask if you need help and answer your questions. It’s also nice to see the other customers interact and provide advice. I mean, how can you not smile when folks get excited sharing their hobby?
To all the negative reviews, I’m pretty sure a lot of the employees (at least the ones I’ve spoken with) are on the newer side, so I would give Atelier another shot.

Just not sure why this place has such good reviews. I only end up here because I find myself waiting for the bus at this corner now and then.
There is a decent selection I guess… but somehow never what I am looking for. And the place is expensive and I have never seen a sale. I have never bought anything here and for someone with over 500 skeins of yarn in her stash that is an amazing statement.
The folks that work here have never been very nice. Seem likely just to site behind the register and get annoyed when you are not buying anything.

I thought it was me and I could not understand why the owner was so rude. But I see that others have had similar experiences.
I visit Sf several times a year and waiting for #24 bus I have been drawn into the store several times. I have been knitting for 45 years and despite snide remarks from the owner, I am a very capable, even talented knitter. But somehow I have yet to grasp the store rules. You can’t buy yarn without buying a pattern, you can’t buy a pattern without buying the yarn, you can’t buy the pattern without taking classes (difficult for me since I live in Ohio) and you can’t buy the yarn, pattern and needles because despite 45 years of knitting, I seemingly have not met the owner’s standard. Go figure. I guess they would rather hurl insults to a quiet, well mannered, pleasant potential customer than make a sale. On the other hand, what is wrong with me. I must be a masochist to silently put up with such behavior.
I had hoped during my April trip to be able to purchase a pattern and yarn but alas the employee had to get her boss’s permission. I am still waiting on the call back (too late — I am back in Ohio). I just don’t get it. Yarn shops in Ohio are friendly places. The yarn shop in the Castro is as well, but Atelier Yarns is HOSTILE!!!
On the bright side they apparently hate all or at least most of us, so take your business elsewhere unless you like abuse!