Discovered Rita's during a Craft Crawl while I was in Manhattan in June. What a cute store! I loved the NY canvases they had. I'm always on the lookout for smaller projects as well and they had so many to choose from. And thanks for the help with fibers so I could start my project right away. And so fun to see a huge age range of needlepointers! I really don't need more projects but I'll be back to visit when I'm next in town! read more

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I stopped by here for a bit of Christmas shopping while visiting NYC. They have tons and tons of canvases to pick from, in addition to project bags, self finishing kits, threads of all variety, and more accessories than I can name. I chose a NY themed one as a souvenir, and, since my needlepoint knowledge begins and ends with what a canvas is, one of the staff very graciously helped me pick out threads to kit it. She showed me the right type of thread and helped me go color by color to match them to the art on the canvas, so the person I gifted it to could begin her project the moment she opened it. This was no cheap visit by any means, but definitely in line with most other places one can shop for this very expensive hobby. I will definitely go back if I'm in town again. read more

Met the store owner Alyssa who is so nice and helpful ! They have great colors, canvases and energy! I love this place!!!!! Will come here often. read more

Rita's Needlepoint - Met the owner Alyssa- so nice! I love this store!!!!! Definitely will come here often ! They have amazing Canvases and colors! Obsessed. - Arts & Crafts Near Me - New York, New York

Rita's Needlepoint is the classic example of a Manhattan neighborhood small business in an old brownstone. I've always loved historic streets with dry cleaners, tailors, antique shops, craft stores and specialty stores on the street level. Don't forget about your neighborhood bakery and coffee shop too. I'm in! Well then we have Rita's catering to serious needlepoint customers. It's a shop that draws customers like me and my daughter. I shop for her and she does the needlepoint. This specialty shop is in a neighborhood I visit regularly. I have friends nearby and it's on our way to the dentist. But there's no doubt about Rita's reputation. This shop draws customers from across the city. I came by to see the Summer hours. My daughter has a staycation coming up and I'm sure she'll love to visit. I'm recommending. read more

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Great selection, pleasant and talented staff, delightful atmosphere inside surrounded by needlepoint canvases on every wall and colorful yarns hanging and also nestled in drawers. They can paint any design you want. It's a delightful experience. read more

Service, selection, and overall vibes are TOP NOTCH. The gals working at the shop are so helpful and personable! Great shop, will definitely visit again next time I'm in NYC read more

Very helpful and friendly service. Helped me kit a canvas I did not buy from them (which some stores won't do) and even suggested I use one of my own colors I brought with me instead of buying a whole new skein from them read more

Love this shop! Great selection and wonder service! I go every time I am in NYC. They always have something for me to buy. I highly recommend this shop read more

Amazing service! The selection is great. And the value is reasonable. I love shopping there and people there are wonderful and so helpful.

There is no knitting yarn here. Only needlepoint yarn. Duh, right? For some reason I thought there would be a selection but this store looked to be exclusively needlepoint. They do workshop classes but I forgot the price, I believe it was $60. I'm really not sure. I remember thinking it was pricey but I don't know the needlepoint standard. The people in the shop were extremely nice and helpful with my questions. Again, this place only has needlepoint yarn. Duh! read more

Rita's Needlepoint is exceptional. They transformed a piece of needlepoint into the most amazing pillow. They were so helpful in picking out the fabric and color for the pillow. The store is a gem and possibly the only needlepoint store in Manhattan. I highly recommend then. Nancy G. read more

I have sent many projects to Rita's and my most recent experience was HORRIBLE!!! The owner is extremely rude and disrespectful to clients even after paying a premium value for finishing projects. They close earlier than they say online so I have arrived during the hours of operations and they were closed. Lastly, my projects are weeks late with no acknowledgment or apology for the inconvenience. I would recommend going to Annie's Needlepoint or Knit and Needle in the west village for a much better experience and workers that actually care about your needlepoint! read more

Rita's is the best needlepoint store in New York City. I gave Gloria a photo to paint on a canvas that I'm making for my twin Grandsons. Gloria is a genius. It is fabulous and beyond beautiful. I can't wait to finish it and give it to my son and daughter-in-law. read more

Super helpful! I was visiting in town and went in for extra thread to have on hand. The salesperson went out of her way to help me and made recommendations. Also went over and beyond and taped the edge of my piece, which had come off. I always go there when I am in town-simply the best! read more

There aren't many needlepoint store options in New York so I am so happy I found Rita's! Very kind and friendly staff. Kim, the owner, is very helpful. There are a great selection of canvases and threads. "Sip and Stitch" night on Tuesdays are a hoot! It's fun to see what everyone is working on and get ideas/assistance. My mom, an avid needlepointer for over 40 years, always comes here when she's visiting from California! read more

I am a knitter and came to Rita's looking for needles that I could use to finish my cardigan's and sweaters. The two lady's that helped me were very kind and attentive, helping me find options to suit my current and future needs. Aside from that, they were incredibly welcoming in the middle of a pandemic where the greater city has been generally standoffish. I highly recommend Rita's to any crafter in NYC! If you're looking some beautiful finished objects to purchase, this is also your place! read more

Fantastic store with great customer service. Just a note that the store has moved to 303 East 81st St. (at 2nd Ave.). Phone number is the same! read more

I don't know what I would have done without the supplies and helpful women at Rita's during the pandemic and cold winter months of 2022. I was struggling to figure out how to transfer a large abstract painting to a pillow-size needlepoint canvas. Everyone was very helpful and supportive. I now gladly return to buy more supplies for my current projects. Thank you, Staff at Rita's. read more

Went to Rita's after a freezing cold walk to Michaels the day before. Fearing my safety if I walked back to Michaels in the wind and cold and since I was having lunch in the city anyway, I looked up Rita's. All I needed was some embroidery floss: brown, black and white. Simple. Rita's is very close to the 6 train and very easy to find. (Trick: it's on the second floor and right around the corner..not really between Lex and 3rd as the website says). They had a great and organized selection of floss but not much else I would be looking for. My total came to about $8 and I pulled out my Paypal debit card that I use for purchases for my Etsy shop and was looked at like I was an alien. So I said, "Do you not accept credit cards?" and she sort of mumbled and shook her head no. So I asked what the minimum was and was told, "Well, usually at least $10" but she seemed like she didn't even want to commit to that. Annoyed, I borrowed the cash from my shopping partner and left. They have a lot of embroidery floss, if you're nearby and it's convenient, go. Otherwise, I'd find somewhere else. read more

Love Rita's Needlepoint - Always friendly and helpful, wonderful selection of fibers, canvases, and tools. Have been going to this store for many years - the new location and staff are great! read more

Kind staff and beautiful, unique canvases. I spend a lot time in needlepoint shops, and I saw lots of unique pieces.

Wish they had stayed in their original location on 79th as it was more conveniently located (closer to subway). But they have a nice selection of threads (vineyard silk merino) and canvases. Usually do not buy my canvas at Rita's but they have a nice selection that I always admire. The staff is helpful and engaging. read more

A fantastic needlepoint shop with customer service that is even more fantastic. A knowledgeable , helpful, and informative staff makes you feel that your special needlepoint project will become a family heirloom over time. read more

I went in today and the employees were extremely rude. I wanted to get a belt finished and the employee did not even give me a hello or tell me her name, but instantly looked at my belt and told me that the belt was too wide and they do not use the folding over method when finishing. That is fine, but she could have been much friendlier. I would definitely not recommend going here. Also, they told me that it would take 6 - 8 weeks to finish the belt, while a place in St Louis, called sign of the arrow, told me if I send them my belt it will be finished in 10 days and will be much cheaper. read more

I just read a post by Erin L., and I do not understand it, because I had no problem using my credit card twice. Once I called up to order a Christmas stocking and used my card over the telephone ( they sent my order out quickly). Then I brought the finished product back to be finished, and when I picked it up.. I again used my card ... I have always found the ladies here very helpful and friendly and their prices the same as a local store in NJ and one I use in Tequesta FL. ....in fact the staff @ Ritas are more helpful than other stores, and the person they send the finishing to does a much better than any other needlepoint store I go to and for the same price. read more

My Mom and I were in from out of town visiting friends and we stumbled upon Rita's. What a find! Mom was thrilled to find exactly what she was looking for and was so appreciative of the help she received from the staff. Rita's now has a loyal customer from Kansas City who will be doing all of her needlepoint supply shopping online and via telephone...and, we'll definitely be back next time we are in town! read more

Staff was super helpful and polite. A woman with limited English language skills came in while I was there needing help with a Project and they were super patient with her. I loved the large selection of canvases and thread colors. If you are a needle pointer out of NYC this is definitely a place to go. read more

Walked 30 blocks when I was in Manhattan to get there because of their good reviews. It was WORTH IT! The staff went out of their way to explain some things that were new to me. My needlepoint is better already. Also got a beautiful, new canvas. They were terrific. read more

Fantastic find - I did needlepoint as a child with my mum, and went in to rediscover the craft. What struck me was the cool designs now - it's not all homey and kitsch and folk art (there's plenty of that if you like it, but there are great modern designs too). I am starting small and planning to work up to something bigger. Thanks to Rita & her team! read more

Jeanie is a delight to work with. A great spot for your needlepoint needs.

I stopped by while visiting the big city on a cold and drizzly day. Inside, the atmosphere at Rita's was warm and friendly! Even though I was an out of towner, the owners made me feel welcome. I shopped for nearly two hours, looking at their many canvases and specialty threads. One of the employees helped me select colors for my project and she could not have been more helpful. If I lived nearby, I would be a frequent customer, both for the needlepoint and for the camaraderie! Lovely shop, lovely people. read more

Nice store with a nice selection, terrible customer service. People who craft are using outgoing and friendly, but not the staff at Rita's. Considering that needlepoint isn't a cheap hobby, I would expect the staff to be much more solicitous. When I walk into an establishment and the staff behaves as if they are doing me a huge favor, that's the red flag. I'll never go back again. Even the website seems like they couldn't be bothered. read more

Worst needlepoint store I have ever been to. I walked in and explained I needed colors for a needlepoint I already had- the salesgirl, who was not doing anything, helped me for one minute tops. The rest of the time she talked to a friend on the phone. Then, AFTER I paid, Rita asked if I knew how to needlepoint and said that the store that had taught me had done a bad job. Thanks, Rita! read more

Recently moved to NYC and was looking for a needlepoint shop to buy canvases, yarn, supplies, and have pieces finished. Have gone in three times looking for help on a piece and each time spending a considerable amount. All three times I have left feeling annoyed because of the service I received. In addition to attitude I have received negative comments about my stitching and personal appearance. As was said by another reviewer, I was told I did not know how to stitch...an opinion I did not ask for. While I would love to recommend and use them for the future, it really is not worth the annoyance every visit. read more

I have shopped at Rits'a many times and was shocked to see that they don't have a five rating. I seldom write reviews , but I like Rita's that I felt that I had to tell people how great Rita's actually is. Rita herself does wonderful things, if you want to do a births a announcement Rita can pencil in all the information on the canvas for you! few can do that so well. Rita's I,a needlepoint store. They carry high quality needlepoint canvases and materials to complete a canvas as well as quality services. I never had a payment problem. If you do needlepoint you will love it. read more

Lovely well-organized store. They have lots of different kinds of yarn and many canvases. The staff is not particularly friendLy. Rita is lovely and very knowledgeable. I don't know why, but crafts people all seem to be very aloof and annoyed by customers. I love going there when Rita is there. . The only problem for me is that she does not carry patternayan yarn. Actually it is virtually impossible to find in Manhattan. read more

I have stopped by this shop several times and am always amazed at the fantastic selection of canvases. The staff is extremely talented and can customize colors for you. I never leave without buying some new projects. I take my finished canvases there to make into pillows or wall hangings and they always are gorgeous! read more

Wonderful canvas and yarn selection plus some helpful gizmos and notions - want to check out your canvas before finishing? They have super magnifiers to catch every missed stitch. And after all that work, they have the BEST stable of finishers available. Not cheap but neither is your time and your cushions, ornaments, belts and even rugs come out looking very professional. They help or just leave you to browse - it's up to you. read more

no thanks. over priced and under deliver. staff not so nice. Annie's or Woolworks on 81st street a much better place to go. read more

one of the few nice needle point places. they have great canvases and were able to replicate a belt for my dad, that had broken. want to go back to get a day of the dead skull to do. you know, in my spare time. read more