Oh yarn, looks like this store is one of the best places to buy yarn in Chicago! This shop is right next to Jones College Prep. The entrance is a bit confusing, just use the directory and they will buzz you in! The selection was great- everything from larger brands like Rowan and Cascade, to local hand dyers like Leading Men! I also thought their prices were pretty fair for a local yarn shop (e.g. skein of Rowan Made Alpaca Haze was $10 vs online is ~$8.80). The staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable. They will point you in the right direction but also let you browse alone (when choosing colors I need full concentration). They also offer a range of classes too! Overall, would definitely recommend this yarn shop! read more

100% recommend Yarnify! I visited while on a work trip. Yarnify offered an incredible variety of yarn from hand spun to value acrylic. They also offered reasonably priced hooks and needles, allowing me to complete a whole project on the flight home with some GORGEOUS yarn I could not pass up. The storefront is in a complex that requires you to buzz in. Don't be thrown off! There is great signage and the staff is ready to welcome you. read more

See all

This is such a cute store, tucked away in downtown Chicago. It was a little confusing at first trying to find the store entrance, since you have to be buzzed in. I was visiting and was looking for a yard that would match my current project, and they were so helpful! I was able to find what I needed and found some additional yarn for a future project. They had a large variety of options, and the prices were reasonable. I look forward to visiting it the next time I am in the area. read more

Can I give more than five stars? What an absolutely delightful experience, from the beautiful space (the outside looks a little shady, it's fine) to an extensive and colorful selection, plus a lovely team of staff who immediately made me feel welcome. This would be my LYS if I lived here, and I would absolutely be back. read more

yarnify! - Art Classes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What is not to like about a local yarn store? Great selection, good staff. Parking is usually available across the street. The clearance rack is fun, too. read more

Popped in and wanted to leave instantly. It was dead quiet inside. The workers made 0 attempt to get offf their table to interact with us. This isnt a space for beginners. The yarn selection was okay but i definitely wont be back ever. read more

Absolutely loved our afternoon with Anna and Daven! Picked out beautiful yarns and practiced in 1:1 lessons, so helpful and heartwarming to spend time here. read more

I went there with my wife. It was close to closing time, but the staff were still cheerful and helpful!

There isn't a lot of competition in yarn stores, but that doesn't stop Yarnify from keeping things tight, high quality and helpful.

Friendly and knowledgeable, a place where you can just sit down with a project and chat with the staff or whoever is around that day. If they have one flaw, it's the same as many other yarn shops, that they don't carry cheaper yarns like Caron. read more

Whenever I'm traveling, I try to stop in at local yarn shops. This one was lovely and walkable from my hotel! There was some reorganizing going on so the backroom, which also housed lots of sale items, was in disarray. My stash rivals many smaller yarns stores, so buying only one big ball of Scheepjes yarn was an act of restraint amongst all the sale goodies. (Also, totally unnecessary, but I digress...) There were many samples worked up and I was very interested in buying the pattern of a felted hat that was on display. One of the workers determined that the book was out of stock but she graciously wrote down where I could find it online. Amazing! Support you LYS! read more

yarnify! - Art Classes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

when your studio can get chilly in the winter you wear sweaters. when a favourite sweater develops holes. when you spend a bit of time on Instagram... you end up at yarnify! headed down before a visit to the AIC to pick up some yarn on a whim to darn that darn sweater. happy friendly person at the front desk pointed out a few options, then another employee came by and figured it all out. I'm a painter and screen printer, been a while since I sewed. What a gas, thank you to the folks at yarnify! helping me get the supplies needed to be a part of the visible mending moment. read more

yarnify! - am I pro, nope but had some fun - Art Classes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I checked this place out while I was in Chicago on business. The ladies were very helpful. They have a great selection with a lot of affordable options, it also high end options. They have a great selection of knitting tools and needles too. They had some visitors in there who were knitting together and talking. I love that aspect of yarn stores. The creative/maker community is one of the best parts of knitting/crocheting. They were very helpful and helped me find everything I needed. They were very kind and helpful to everyone who went in there too. Great shop! read more

yarnify! - Store front - Art Classes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Extremely rude staff or spends most of their time trying to remove negative feedback. My first review was removed because the owner convinced Yelp that I had not actually visited the shop. See photo attached. It's been a long time since I've had a deal with historic clerk as rude as the chit of a girl that I encountered. read more

yarnify! - Owners love to remove negative feedback by saying you never visited the place.. - Art Classes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very helpful staff and good selection of yarn! Felt welcomed and will definitely return.

I just discovered Yarnify! today, and I wish I knew about it sooner! The store is very welcoming. They have a great selection of high quality and unique yarns. The prices are comparable and what I would expect for yarn of this quality. They have a large selection of colors, textures, sizes. The two employees who were working while I was visiting were also very friendly and knowledgeable and helped me with my project idea. They also have a large selection of buttons are they are so cute and unique! Never seen so many cute buttons in one place before! I am definitely coming back once I finish my current yarn project. read more

Neat little yarn and needle work shop in Printer's Row area. We first stumbled upon them when we were attending the Annual Chicago Tribune Book Fair the city of Chicago puts on in the area. We walked right past this place and made a point of coming back. Very nice staff - knowledgeable and outgoing, loads of yarns - they have a basement roomful also, and numerous classes during the season. While the prices may seem a bit on the high side, it is a city location and that could be expected. Located in the front part of the old Dearborn Street Station. Neat store and we'll be back. read more

My son is a musician with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and has rehersal from 12:00-2:30 every Sunday. About a month ago I decided to find something to occupy myself for those 2.5 hours. I've been a knitter for 13 years. So when I googled 'yarn shops near me' and found Yarnify! was only a few blocks from the Fine Arts building, I grabbed my project bag and started walking to printer's row. When I walked in the table was full of friendly faces happily knitting away. I was greeted and asked if I needed any help. A few weeks later I was able to return and Rowan and Anna were just as friendly and helpful as could be. I look forward to Sunday afternoons. Yarn prices are exactly where I expect them to be. No, they're not as cheap as online, but yarn needs to be held and squished and pressed to cheeks to check softness before it's purchased. Buying yarn is a hands on experience! read more

Unfriendly. Dismissive. I was a fan of the previous shop/staff when it was Loopy Yarns where the previous owner was very welcoming and the staff helpful. I know this is a "new" business, so my opinion is based on my first time walking into Yarnify this afternoon. I walked in with two other yarnie friends. No one greeted us. A girl with purple-tinted hair looked up and right at us... then looked away. I found out later she worked there. Place had a few customers, but not busy by any means. A few more people walked in. Some were greeted, some were met with silence. We were basically ignored. The ones that were friendly were other customers who came in! I'm a yarn snob and my yarn stash is considered SABLE. The store carries a range of yarns, similar to when it was Loopy Yarns. Lots of Cascade, Berroco and some great indie/hand dyed yarns. With LYS having difficulties competing with other brick-and-mortar and online shops, a little customer service and courtesy goes a long way. I've been know to buy sweater quantities of yarn. I won't here. read more

yarnify! - Art Classes Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love DIYs and this shop is just a perfect place for me. A friend of a friend of mine recommended this shop to me when she saw my post about the small knitting business that I want to start. And so, I came by last weekend, and the hassle I've been through finding this place is so worth it. This place is amazing. They have everything that I needed and wanted. All the knitting tools and equipment that are necessary for what I'm up to are all here. They also have a wide variety of yarns you can choose from, I think all the colors that I know are in their shop. The interior design and the arrangement of the items are just so pretty and colorful; it makes me feel super excited to make my first work. And also the people who work here are so friendly and welcoming; the moment I step into their store they greeted me with an enthusiasm which makes me even more excited. read more

Stopped by Yarnify this morning and was cheerfully greeted by a staff person who asked if I needed help. I indicated I just wanted to browse the store and I felt welcome. Any questions I had about stock were pleasantly answered. I read some prior reviews about feeling unwelcome, so I wanted to comment about how warmly received I felt. I shop here sporadically, but definitely am not a recognized "regular." The shop carries a very nice variety of yarns and a number of different projects are displayed to fire up your creativity. They also feature a variety of local independent yarn artisans who produce some gorgeous fibers. This is something that you really can not experience with online yarn shopping and a reason that hand knitters and crocheters should continue to patronize our local yarn stores before they go the way of Toys 'R Us! The store was publicizing an event it was hosting in support of a community service project where local knitters volunteer to teach knitting to inmates at an area correctional facility. Kudos to the shop's social activism. I acknowledge some prices on the yarn are "city" prices, just as yarn stores in New York, Los Angeles and San Fransisco charge, but any goods you purchase in a big city reflect the cost of doing business there. My yarn was wound at my request as I chatted with the staff. My Yarnify experience was exactly what all of us "yarnies" would like to happen every time we patronize a yarn store. read more

I really liked this place. The two people working were exceptionally helpful and were really nice, I brought two small kids and a monster stroller in their shop and they were super chill, I really appreciated that. They've got some really nice yarns in and even have a local yarn section which is really cool. I got a skein of a local brand and am really excited to use it. This place rules! read more

I came here on a Sunday afternoon, and when I walked in, I was the only shopper in the store and was greeted by two employees that asked if I needed any help. I said I was just going to look around and would let them know if I had any questions. This seems to be an improvement from some of the other reviews on here, so it seems like they are taking their Yelp reviews seriously. Which is why I really hope they read this review and make some improvements. This yarn is seriously overpriced. The majority of the yarn that they carry is made by commercial yarn companies like Cascade and Berroco, and I really wish they would diversify with some more local hand-dyed yarn or yarns from other indie dyers. (Maybe some Hedgehog Fibres or Leading Men Fiber Arts??) The only yarn that would have suited my hand-dyed yarn desires was Madelinetosh, but it was $26.50 per skein. I could buy this yarn for $19-22 online or at other yarn stores in the city. I came into this store with $60 to spend that had specifically been gifted to me to buy yarn, but I left buying nothing because I could spend this money much more responsibly at another yarn store. read more

I was hesitant about visiting this yarn shop because of the Yelp reviews, but I love visiting yarn shops when I travel, and it was the only one within walking distance of my hotel so I went anyways. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. I was immediately greeted by a friendly employee who was able to tell me lots of details about the local yarns I was interested in. She put down her knitting promptly to help me and other customers and did not pick it back up until she had ensured we didn't need any more help. They carry beautiful local yarns as well as great commercial yarns I have never seen at another yarn store--and I've been to many. Not only were they helpful and well-stocked, I overheard them assisting two customers with disabilities who were interested in classes but needed special accommodations. It was clear that everyone working there was ready to make this work for those customers. This is a great yarn store in a great location, and I will probably be dreaming about the skeins I did not buy. read more

I walked over to this adorable shop while staying at the Hilton for a conference. The lady working (owner?) showed me all the local yarns and notions. There was a small group of friendly knitters there knitting and chatting. There was so much amazing indie hand dyed AND a wealth of other great yarns. All the amazing colors of Malabrigo you could want and so much more. I left with a beautiful cobalt yarn bowl made by a local potter and plan to go back for yarn before I leave town. This a great, welcoming, friendly shop with a ton of great inventory. Thanks Yarnify for making my stay in Chicago that much better! read more

I haven't been in for a couple months (trying to knit down my stash), but I have found yarnify to be a good experience in the past. They have done well to diversify the lines and stock more skeins than it felt like Loopy did. Additionally, they are stocking local and specialty yarns, which I love. The staff is still friendly and unobtrusive, but helpful when asked. And the Red Line station and plentiful meter street parking in the area make it easy and convenient when you just need to pop in for something quick. I hope they have done more with the basement space since my last visit. It is highly underutilized and could be used to either expand into more crafts... or carry even more yarn... Looking forward to stopping in soon. read more

Gave Yarnify another chance and i can now say that there have been many improvements. The yarn selection is great. The employee (didn't get her name) was very nice. They held a yarn i needed to finish a sweater and wound the skein for me. Lots of new yarns, though the prices are a bit on the high side as compared to online shops. I asked about a knitting night as i would love to get away and hang out with other knitters/crocheters. It would cost $100 a year or $35 for a month. Kind of disappointed with that as i don't think you should have to pay for knit nights. They did say that they are trying to change things for knit night, so i will check in and see what changes over the next few weeks. read more

Such a happy place! Barbara and her staff make this a great place to learn new skills, as well as supporting local artists! As one such local artisan, it is wonderful to have such great community support. You won't be disappointed every time you walk in the door! read more

I've always been a huge fan of Loopy, and was sad to hear Vicki was passing on the torch. Fortunately, Yarnify has not changed too much, and has rather given a new breath of life into the store. The selection has expanded, and they now offer some exclusive, gorgeous yarn spun by local artists. I've only been in once since the change, but I will be back very soon! I love the energy and the salespeople are caring, knowledgeable, and accommodating. I'm excited to see the new directions this location is about to explore! read more

Everyone that worked there was so friendly and helpful! They bottom floor has plenty of space to hang and knit, as well as lots of free patterns and sale merchandise! I was almost overwhelmed by the amount of yarn available read more

After too many years of not knitting, I was ready to return to something that had given me much pleasure in the past. I decided to visit this favorite knitting shop in its lovely new location. I was warmly welcomed by Barbara and Anna. I explained that I had broken several bones in my arms and hands and had not been able to knit and needed help in starting again. They were so encouraging. Anna refreshed my motor memory of casting on. Yarnify carries so many beautiful yarns it was a challenge to narrow my choice for this first project. Barbara listened to what I had in mind and pointed me in the right directions. I joined them at the table and slowly started to stitch. Both Barbara and Anna are very knowledgeable and the conversation was easy and pleasant. I'm looking forward to many return visits. read more

I really wanna like this place, but the service I have gotten has always been the worst. I call this place Yarn-iffy, because the customer service is iffy, and the idea of actually finding yarn you want is iffy. I have had two bad experiences there. The first was a couple of years ago when I ran out of yarn on my current project. I went in and asked for Madelinetosh Light and the response was pretty immediate: "We don't carry that any more. Madelinetosh is bad yarn." That wasn't what I had asked. Sorry my yarn choice was not to your standards. The second was today on LYS day. I walked in and the girl behind the register came around and greeted me and asked me what I was looking for. I told her sport weight. She told me that they didn't carry any sport weight and that they had fingering and DK. She then pointed me to a room towards the back, but did not bother to walk me back or help me find anything because she seemed more intent to return to the table of ladies knitting. Then, as I was browsing the yarn next to the table, the owner got up and asked if I needed help. I said something to the effect, "blah, blah, blah, no sport weight." Her response: "We do carry it, it just at other places in the store." Didn't offer to show me. Made some comment about indie dyers not dying sport weight. A friend gave me a a gift card for my birthday that I wanted to use today but it seems that that is not going to happen. read more

New owner has taken over former Loopy Yarn location. Which in my humble opinion was the best yarn shop in Chicago. This new owner has a lot to learn about retail and owning a shop where the number one priority should be making her customer(s) happy. The name of the shop might be more appropriate than the owner thinks: Yarnify! Or is it really Yarn-iffy? The owner is not friendly or engaging; thankfully she has got a great team of Krista, Meg and Megan. The 3 ladies have a ton of experience with knitting, crocheting, spinning and all things creative. The owner does not knit. I tried to make a purchase with my credit card and the phone rang and disconnected the transaction. Really? Need more than 1 line, maybe. Then, people show up for help knitting or help with projects and the new owner stays upstairs and does not engage with people who come to knit there and spend money in her shop; again showing how unfriendly she is... Hey Yarnify, here's a clue - be nice to everyone who walks in that door or you will be reading very shortly about the demise of what used to be the best yarn shop in Chicago!!! read more

tl;dr: yarnify! is hands-down my favorite store in the entire city of chicago (and one of the only ones dedicated to making their shop accessible for all their disabled patrons) and if i could go there every day i would. if you are into fibercrafts, go to yarnify. if you aren't into fibercrafts, go to yarnify anyway, and get into fibercrafts. a good yarn store is a hard thing to find, and yarnify is both a great yarn store and an amazingly easy place to find! every time i go into yarnify! i meet a new member of the staff, and all of them are just incredible, the kind of people you want to be friends with instantly--kind, thoughtful, funny, talented craft wizards. i could go into yarnify! every day and never not want to see whoever was on front-end. even though i've only been a customer for about a month, i feel totally at home and comfortable at yarnify! and it's a highlight of my day. particularly of note: as a multiply disabled patron, yarnify! is one of the very few stores in chicago that has a dedication to being more accessible. there are plans to make all yarn labels tactile and brailled for the b/vi patrons, and while the current space isn't all that wheelchair friendly (with a downstairs) it's actually great on the main floor. they're also all amazingly queer-friendly, which (although yes i know, this is chicago) but it's always nerve-wracking to worry about how one will be id'd in public. read more

I came in right before they closed and the employees were so kind and gracious about it. They were also very helpful, and they have a great selection! read more

LOVE this store. Helpful staff (Rowan, Bear) and delightful owner. Yarn selection is a nice mix of indie dyed and big company yarns, in all types of fibers, and lovely selection of notions and locally made project bags. Welcoming community knit table. LOVED our visit! read more

This is a wonderful shop and I really love love love the yarn they have here. So many beautiful options! They even have a decent amount of yarn from local dyers like Stitch Together, Three Irish Girls, Knit Girl, and some locally made project bags. It was very well organized which made it easy to find exactly what I was looking for. The yarn is organized by weight and each cubby is clearly designated by brand. The staff are always friendly and helpful. People like Anna and Rowan have always made any assistance I need on a project a priority and have sat with me sometimes for hours knitting alongside me. Needless to say, Yarnify! is my number one yarn shop in the Chicago area! read more

I actually like the new version of this store better than the old one. Definitely change is always hard for some people but I found it welcoming for someone who is not a regular customer. I am not the avid knitter. I learned to knit as a kid and now do it as stress relief or to feel productive while watching a baseball or football game. I just want a local yarn store to be there to ask questions and point me in the right direction and not make me feel bad because I am not a hard-core knitter or if I call something by the wrong name. I never really felt comfortable going into the store with the former name and owners because I am not a super knitter and don't know everything there is to know about knitting and felt they were condescending and unhelpful if you didn't spin your own yarn to knit with and all of that. Now I will return and I felt totally comfortable. I already had a pattern and some yarn and they were totally cool with that and let me take the time to shop for my color and.........they were super cool about winding the yarn and happily did that for me. The previous owners never offered to wind anything for me and again, I just didn't feel comfortable since I wasn't an avid knitter. Great selection and friendly staff who is helpful and doesn't expect you to know everything about knitting. Carry unique yarns and fibers (yes, I recently learned the term "fiber' for those yarns that are not made of wool).....great prices and loyalty program. My new favorite yarn store in Chicago. read more

Great LYS, staff were friendly and helpful and I was able to find a nice selection of local dyers. There are a number of yarn shops in the area but this one is the largest with the most variety of yarn! I highly recommend a visit if you are in town! read more

I love Yarnify - the store and the people. I had knitting lessons with Rowan and Anna - they are amazing. The yarn here too is beautiful. I love the Yarnify community and I'll be coming back for a long time. read more