Visited this shop during the Bay Area yarn crawl. It was exceptionally busy & I unfortunately didn't have enough time to give this beautiful store the time it deserved. There is a huge selection of everything including some exquisite hand dyed yarns. Staff was friendly & helpful. They were prepared for the crowds. I can't wait to go back when I have a couple hours to spend. read more

My friend found this place when we were talking about how I was struggling to learn how to crochet from online videos. So I signed up for a class which was only $35 even though I didn't really know what to expect. There were three other ladies in the class with me. I got there early to get the materials that I needed and added a cute sticker with it. There was a 10% discount on my purchase for taking the class. The class helped me understand how to crochet so much better than any YouTube video could do! I will likely be back for the B class. read more

Black Squirrel Yarns - Knitting Supplies Near Me - Berkeley, California

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The best, the kindest people out there for giving a new knitter fantastic advice and help. I felt kind of guilty going in for assistance with my first stranded knit sweater, but every single person I dealt with was eager to help and explain things. I also met some wonderfully helpful people at the Thursday night drop in. I cannot recommend this store and staff enough! read more

Black Squirrel Yarns - The halibut sweater in progress - Knitting Supplies Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cute yarn and friendly, knowledgeable staff. The owner is incredibly generous with her time and expertise. She'll happily sit down with you at the table in the back to help fix your knitting mistakes or answer questions. She gave me the confidence to knit my first sweater, something I've wanted to do for years. Her help has really kept me from getting frustrated or giving up on this project, and the shop has become an important part of me enjoying knitting again and also branching out to try new styles and techniques. I highly recommend this shop to anyone, including those who want to get back into knitting or start knitting for the first time. read more

Very friendly staff. I'm a beginner knitter and had a few questions and everyone was super helpful! This place looked to have a good selection of yarn based on the reviews and they certainly did. They also carried accessories I needed as a beginner such as stitch markers, needle stoppers and other knick knacks. I will definitely be back to get some yarn for my next project! read more

Black Squirrel Yarns - Sock yarn and Chiaogoo needles - Knitting Supplies Near Me - Berkeley, California

I have tried to visit Black Squirrel on two different occasions but time just did not permit. Today offered me the chance since I got off work early and the establishment is on my commute route to Solano County. I had every intention on purchasing many items although I was looking for one specific item. I know me I am a sucker for yarn and notions!! I have been knitting since 8 and now in my 50s I am enjoying it even more. So I was excited to be able to come to a store and buy locally. Lots of beautiful yarn. Neatly arranged. The yarn I gravitated towards was priced reasonably. I don't like writing not so good reviews but something about tonight's visit just didn't seem right. Maybe it was me overthinking. I don't know but my spirit really went low and I really did not have the want to purchase from here. What was weird was that it took so long for someone to even acknowledge me while in the store. I finally was approached and I asked the woman if she had what I had come in for but unfortunately they did not. Okay so I still was going to purchase some items. I stood near the register and again nothing. There were staff talking with other customers. Anyway I walked away and looked at the notions again trying to decide should I just walk out with nothing or just go ahead and buy the items for support. I went ahead and bought for support because I truly believe in supporting small businesses. Hopefully my next visit will be more enjoyable. I am not the person looking for red carpet treatment. A simple hello when I came through the door would have been nice. Maybe weekends are better. I don't know but I will give the shop another try. read more

Black Squirrel Yarns - Knitting needle point protectors - Knitting Supplies Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Beautiful selection of yarns at various prices. Samples of projects with the information to access the online instructions, which I have already received--for free--with video tutorials and pictures from the designer. The staff were helpful and friendly. I will be back! read more

Love The Black Squirrel! I was greeted by the friendliest woman at the door when I visited during the yarn crawl. The store is remarkably organized, and they even sequester the sale section in a separate room so you can browse for bargains at your own pace. The variety here and the labeling jobs are top-notch, and everything was reasonably priced. They primarily stock Lykke needle sets, for those on the hunt for interchangeables. There is a small sewing/sashiko section that I also enjoyed perusing, and they also sell roving. I personally found parking rather challenging, but I agree with the reviewer who said it's worth circling a bit to find a space. It's not a particularly busy area, so you won't feel too stressed while circling, and this place is definitely worth a visit :) read more

I'm so pleased to have found this shop! Service is great, staff very friendly and they carry supplies for adjacent crafts, like needle felting and visible mending! read more

Stopped in here for the Bay Area Yarn Crawl. A knitting friend of mine who lives in S.F. raves about it, and she was not wrong. We've been to eleven yarn stores in the past five days, but Black Squirrel stands out in several categories. First, light. This store has huge windows n two sides, so there is wonderful natural light. Second, this is the only shop we've been to (of the eleven) where, when we identified this was our first visit, someone took the time to let us know how the shop is organized. Third, layout. Yarns are broadly organized among non-superwash wool, superwash wool, plant-based yarns, specialty small-run yarns, a little spinning fiber, tools, and embroidery projects. You can buy stitch markers by the each, with a tiny ceramic bowl to hold your selection. Fourth, selection. Good heavens, they have LOT of yarn, everything from workhorse yarns to luxury hand-dyes. I was especially glad to see the number of yarns from The Fibre Co., as they're based in the UK, so ordering from them directly is prohibitively expensive. I could have happily spent lots more time here, as well as a mortgage payment or two. They have gatherings in-shop regularly, are wonderfully welcoming and friendly, and really do have something for everyone. There are two other yarn shops closer to me, but The Black Squirrel is my new go-to. read more

very nice shop! I really like how it had a separate sale section ! highly recommend for all fiber art enthusiasts!!!

I came up to the Bay Area and had hoped to visit in person, but became so sick that I couldn't leave my hotel room. I called the shop and spoke with Maia and asked if I could place an order to be picked up by Uber or some such , while embarrassingly crying over not being able to come in person. Maia endured my weeping while explained the items I had intended to buy for my daughter who is in college up in Oregon, how much I missed her and why I wanted to buy her these things, how we had done these handworks together over the years. And I cried, a lot, while Maia put together my order off their website, made recommendations, and insured that I would get them before I left town. The Black Squirrel are comprised of compassionate and loving people if everyone is like Maia. read more

Wonderful knitting shop hidden on the corner. A great selection of yarn and notions-- and the staff are super helpful and friendly. I came in with a pattern question I couldn't crack, and folks were very happy to walk me through it -- saved the day! You can also just come to sit and knit, which I will absolutely do next time we're in town. A very welcoming and wonderful shop! read more

I'd never been here but it happened to have the exact jacket on display that I'd been wanting to do for a long time so I jumped in and asked one of the workers for help locating the correct yarn. They had all six skeins that I needed and the free pattern was emailed to me later that day! Many of the yarns they stock weren't ones I was familiar with so it was good to see something new. The young woman who helped me offered to wind the skeins into balls but I declined (but I should have done it...). Quality yarn is pricey but it is beautiful and this piece will be something that I will be investing my time and energy into and I can't wait to get started! read more

Lovely shop. Beautiful yarn and super cute accessories. Lovely table to sit and knit and watch the train pass by. Highly recommend this shop. Very knowledgeable and helpful staff. read more

I don't do fiber arts myself, but my partner does and she wanted to participate in a yarn crawl, so I took her there. Everyone who works there is very sweet and apparently, their stock is great (again, I don't do fiber arts!). Very cool place and it was bustling, given the amount of yarn crawl participants. If I needed yarn or fiber arts supplies for something like a gift and was in the area, this would probably be my store of choice. read more

I love yarn and came here on a pilgrimage since all of my favorite yarn shops have closed. It's cute and has yarn, but the selection was not quite to my liking. If I were into making socks and knitting fine fabrics, then maybe this would be fine, but there were some drawbacks. 1) The location. Parking in that area is too hard. Even if it's in front of the shop. 2) The hours of operation - they are open two days per week, which isn't very convenient. 3) They have some cute notions and I saw some things that I might like. So for the benefits 1) They are independent and the hippie within digs that 2) This seems to be a place where you have to be in the know, to manage your way around. 3) They seemed to have two weights - fingerling and chunky So this was a three star review, but the person working, did greet me when I came in - bonus 1. She also apologized for speaking to the folks that she knew and said that if I had a question, I could ask - bonus 2. And it was a cute little store, which is why they received the extra star. But I won't be back because I can get what I want elsewhere. But thanks though. read more

Black Squirrel Yarns - Storefront. - Knitting Supplies Near Me - Berkeley, California

My absolute favorite yarn shop in the area. You have to drive at least an hour to find another one with this selection and quality. Insane neon selection. The staff is wonderful read more

Absolutely adorable yarn shop! Lovely selection of yarns including indie dyed. Incredibly helpful staff and great customer service. Love love love. Drove an hour to visit and feel like I found my LYS! read more

What a great find! I visited during the BAYC and so happy I did. I was able to find new to me yarns like the Wandering Flock. They also have yarn in a wide range of prices. Salespeople were helpful but not pushy. read more

Black Squirrel is one of the best yarn stores I have ever been to ! Their staff is welcoming and kind, and has been observed to regularly go above and beyond to help customers with both purchases and projects. The yarn selection is an exceptional mix of classic favorites and unique finds. Highly recommended if you have the chance to visit. read more

I always have an incredible time at the black squirrel. The staff have been kind and helpful every visit. The store has a wonderful selection of yarns from merino to cotton and I love all the sunlight that comes into the store. read more

Such a lovely yarn store! It was my first time in and I only needed a couple needles and a skein of mohair. They had an amazing selection of mohair and it was hard to choose just one! The staff was so kind. They were helpful and gave me space to mosey about. I wish I had more time to explore, but I only had 15 minutes before meeting friends on 4th street. Parking was easy and free. I parked on the street right out front. I'll have to head back when I have more time to choose yarn for larger projects. read more

Large selection of yarn ranging from inexpensive to pricey. If you knit sweaters, they have lots of yarn in sweater quantities. The staff is helpful and friendly. Co-owners Maia and Sally are master knitters who are available to answer questions, help people with their knitting, pattern, yarn, needle selection, etc. People who crochet can get help too. I came in one day feeling frustrated because the sweater I made was too small. I told Maia that I would most likely have to frog it. She figured out what I could do to make it fit. So I gave it a try and it worked. The sweater was saved and I proudly wear it. I love the Black Squirrel! read more

I had been meaning to visit this business for awhile, but never found myself in this area...until a few weeks ago. I sauntered into this business not expecting much (i.e. thinking that it would be just another yarn store), but I left knowing that this would be my go-to yarn shop. First off, all of the yarn is beautiful, but the hand dyed yarn is simply out of this world! I found myself staring longingly at the hand dyed yarn, wishing I could buy every single one of them in every single color. On top of this, the front desk team was stellar! They told me about the yarn that they offered and the classes that they have available to the public. I'll definitely be back to take their knitting classes (a skill I lack as an avid crocheter). Echoing an earlier review of this place- parking is a bit tough to find but if you can find parking, this place is definitely worth checking out! read more

Nice store. The people that worked there are very nice and sweet. Very helpful. I like this place a lot.

Adorable needlework shop. Beautiful samples, yarns, fabrics. Cute accessories. If you like to knit or sew, come by! Discount if you check-in on Yelp. Parking is best a block away at a small lot. read more

Black Squirrel Yarns - Knitting Supplies Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Took my first knitting class here and loved it! Super calm, beautiful store with friendly and helpful staff

What a nice place to shop for yarn! The staff are all so friendly and helpful! I was looking for a bulky wool yarn to make a throw, but never having used bulky yarn before, I wanted to try one out first. The first time I went in the salesperson (I can hardly think of her as a salesperson, she was more like a friendly guide) pointed out several options to try. I let her know that price was important to me since a throw takes a lot of skeins and she found a couple of well-priced yarns to try. I was going to buy 2 different colors in 2 different yarns but she suggested that, since one of them would not be returnable once it was wound up for use, I might want to start with one skein of the other. The second time I was buying about 10 skeins of the yarn I had tried out, and the 3 people who were working there all advised me on which different yarn would work with it for my contrasting color. They were all extremely knowledgeable! I also spent some time wandering around and looking at other yarns they carry and the selection was wonderful. Parking is limited since the railroad goes right by the store, but it is worth circling around the area to get a spot because this is a really great place to find yarn for your next project(s). read more

Impressive selection of yarns and other materials. I had no idea what to look for. Complete novice in the hobby, but the staff demonstrated patience and expertise that put me at ease. Parking is a bit rough though. They also offer some activities ever so often. read more

Cute little shop with a carefully curated selection of stuff, especially for knitters and crocheters. Many cool sets of needles, yarn and other supplies. Small but cool collection of fabrics. The owner was very helpful but not hovery. read more

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Very nice store. Has a variety of items to interest people who tag along with the yarn enthusiast, as it was in my case. They had bags, t-shirts, enamel pins, stickers, etc... The yarn enthusiast loved it there. There are other stores in the area to make it worth a day trip. Definitely coming back. read more

Came in with my girlfriend one afternoon. It's a clean and bright store. A lot of options to choose from. When we came in, the owner was crocheting/knitting/sewing(?) with several other folks over on the other end of the store. She still greeted us from where she was. I looked at a sign behind the register and noted that there are group sessions and workshops held at The Black Squirrel Neat-o! The owner was very kind to us, and apologized for not coming over sooner to check us out at the register since she was participating in the group session I bought a crochet kit for my girlfriend and was happy to see that checking in to the store on Yelp gave a 10% discount. Would gladly return! read more

I thought their yarn selection was interesting and liked the owner a lot BUT.... I tried joining their knit night not long before Covid and was treated like some sort of freak. So much for inclusiveness. Ugh. read more

Great place to shop or take a break and knit awhile. The store is airy and open. The Shop keeper is super sweet and very helpful. She ordered some items for me and called me when they were in. There's great yarn at great prices and books on Thursday there's a stitch and bitch group. She's super happy to teach and the other women are nice too. Check it out read more

It was a little tricky to find in the construction, but well worth it. Lovely collection and friendly people.

My wife made us stop here after brunch on a rainy day. She could have stayed there for hours there were so many beautiful yarns to choose from. Very friendly & helpful staff. Amazing selection. I'm sure I'll find myself here again. read more

I am not crafty. Whatsoever. I have been looking to get into something crafty. I need a productive hobby and so I started researching crochet. I went to the store, bought the hook and yarn and started watching YoutTube videos. Nope. Not the way for me to learn. I need a little more hands-on instruction. This is when Yelp introduced me to the Black Squirrel. There happened to be a beginning crochet class this evening, so I decided to sign up and go. Class was only $35, which is incredibly reasonable for the amount of hands-on support you receive. The space itself is beautiful. Very clean and modern with bright bursts of colorful yarn throughout. There was a great deal of thought and passion that went into the planning of the store. The class was held in the storefront. It ended up being me, Chase (the owner), and two other ladies. I think we were all expecting the class to consist of 70-year-olds, but there is a surprisingly diverse population that frequents the store. The class ran from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Chase did a wonderful job of moving slowly and explaining steps clearly and concisely. When one of us was having a challenging time with a particular step, she would come over and offer more hands-on support. I learned three different crochets while the other ladies went onto a slightly more advanced crochet. I didn't feel prepared to move on, as I was still getting the hang of the first three and I didn't feel rushed or obligated to move on. Chase encouraged us to show up anytime and get help with our projects. Though I live quite a distance away, I intend to come back to the shop for more support when I've mastered the crochets I learned this evening. Great store! Highly recommend! read more

I visited the store the first time several weeks ago. The ladies met me at the door asking immediately if they could help. They were with me showing me so many things and explaining with detail the yarn and how some of it was hand dyed. I felt I was the only one in the store alto there were at least 10 plus more people there. The ladies were extremely helpful and their yarn is probably the finest in the area. Fabulous store - I will return! read more

There are only a few small yarn shops around. One in Albany, one in Oakland, and the Black Squirrel in Berkeley. This is by far my favorite. The owner and staff invite you to come in and knit there. They are friendly, helpful, and happy to have people gather and knit. The yarn qualify is superb, with many yarns dyed by hand by the staff. There is parking within a block or two, not a big problem, yes there may be meters buy they are $1.50 an hour! Cheap. Black Squirrel is now open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 to 5. Come join us. read more