Knit Schtick

Honestly, I think it’s the nicest and most well rounded boutique yarn shop around. The current location has great light and space. All the yarn is drool worthy! People are always laughing in the store. Very kind teachers.

Wow, I just read that vitriolic review from the person who wanted to bring some random yarn into the shop and get instruction and I have to respond. Do you bring your own drill to the dentist office? Or your own medicine to the Dr’s office? That wouldn’t be allowed. It’s a business that sells yarn and teaches classes. If you take a class at Michael’s, you need to use their products. Same at JoAnn fabrics. Why would Knit Schtick be any different? Of course you would need to use yarn from the shop. I’ve been going to Knit Schtick for over 3 years and have never had a problem. Ever. As an adult, there are common sense rules that people just know. Such as: Do not eat the yarn. Do not stab anyone with your knitting needles. You must pay for the yarn you buy. You know, common sense things that don’t need to be posted around the shop like it’s a kindergarten classroom. To me, if you are going to a yarn shop that sells yarn and teaches classes, you would need to buy yarn from the shop if you want instruction. I live in Tahoe for part of the year and even in the little, tiny yarn shop in the middle of dusty Gardnerville, NV you have to buy their yarn if you want instruction. I’m not sure why you feel so violated by something that everyone knows is standard practice. If you want instruction and/​or are taking classes, you need to use the yarn from the shop. Otherwise, start a knitting club in your living room, bring whatever yarn you want and hire a teacher to help you out. Your review only confirms my belief that some people need very strict, basic and fundamental common sense rules printed out in very large letters and posted all over the place.

Best knit and crochet store ever… great yarns, helpful teachers and very friendly!

Mind = blown. My friend said I had to visit this shop, and I’m glad I made the trip. The yarn selection is unrivaled — curated with current fashion trends in mind. Upon my arrival, I was welcomed to coffee. I immediately noticed a group at the table who all seemed to be either laughing or learning. The project samples seemed straight out of Vogue or W. This isn’t your grandmother’s yarn store! I bought a class card, and can’t wait to become part of the culture I observed.

The staff is wonderful. I didn’t talk to them much because I knew exactly what I wanted, but as soon as I walked someone greeted me. I felt welcome to browse (since I had never been here before I wanted to see what they had) and when I checked out, the lady invited me back to come knit with them any time! I told her I wasn’t from there, but she still welcomed me back if I ever got back to town. While I was browsing I over heard her talking to a customer and found out that they do custom orders and wind the yarn for you too! Excellent service, extensive selection, and expert advice!

While this store purports a cozy outlook of yarn camaraderie over to-​die-​for knitting and crochet projects, my friend and I experienced something quite to the contrary. New to the world of crafts, my friend and I purchased a Groupon for crochet classes to use at this establishment. The first 2 classes went well, however, towards the end, there was a bit of pressure to purchase yarn and other materials from the store. Something that I did expect, but politely declined.
Over the 2^nd and 3^rd classes, I began a very simple project that required NO help from the staff whatsoever (it was a single crochet scarf). During the 3^rd meeting, the staff notified me that we are not to bring our own yarn into the store since we are Groupon users. She also stated that we would be able to bring our own yarn and projects had we purchased the classes at full price or stamp card style. My friend and I objected as we both thoroughly read the fine print before signing up as we had expected higher prices for yarn at this establishment. The staff relented and said that since it does not state the limitations in the Groupon (we showed her the Groupon on the spot), then we are free to use our yarn, but that they would not help us with our projects. I believe this to be wrong in principle since we did pay for the service afterall, but I wasn’t requesting help and was really just there to hang out with my friends. So I let it be.
My friend also brought 3 additional paying customers to this establishment, as a sort of girls crochet day. Since the other women started later, my friend and I additionally purchased a 5 class stamp card just to hang out with the other women. Again, the first two classes went well where I was still completing my single crochet scarf (seriously, that thing is huge) and not asking for any guidance. On our third visit, the staff notified us that we could no longer bring our own yarn into the store and that we would have to purchase their yarn. I immediately stated that when we purchased the stamp card, we were not told of this restriction (looking back, I completely forgot that they told us we could bring in yarn if we bought the stamp card. Wished I remembered that on the spot…) and had they told us that we could not, then we would have taken the additional cost into consideration. The staff insisted that since it was not stated during the time of purchase, then that means WE MUST PURCHASE their yarn. Stating something like that is like saying, «Hahahaha… now you have to buy everything because we didn’t tell you that you don’t have to». I mean, who in the world of customer service does that?
Following the staff’s statement, I requested that a refund be made to my friend and I since they require us to purchase yarn and I was seriously miffed by their reneging of the agreement. The staff said that she doesn’t believe that to be possible. This statement reads as coercion to me. Since the staff is essentially saying that if we don’t purchase yarn from them, then our class fees are forfeited, and I told her as such. She insisted that the proprietor would not refund our money and would insist on the purchase of their yarn.
So I spoke to the proprietor, and while she would not issue a refund, she did allow us to use our own yarn… at the cost of a lecture. She told me that bringing my own yarn into a yarn store is the equivalent to bringing your own food to a restaurant — that nobody did this. I retorted that no, people bring food into cafeterias all the time. And if she wanted a more accurate analogy, it would not be food in a restaurant. She sold lessons, a service, to my friend and I, more akin to a gym trainer or ballet teacher. So I see it as signing up to take ballet lessons from her, bringing in my own tutu, then partway through the 2^nd lesson, she tells me that I can no longer attend the lessons unless I purchase my tutus from her. Needless to say, I was seething.
My friend and I stayed for the class, however, we noticed that none of the staff would help my friend with her project. The staff buzzed around the other students happily answering questions and instructing on how to hold/​pull/​crochet/​knit their project into place, but my friend and I were now ostracized. I no longer have the desire to return, as there is no doubt in my mind that we would be treated the same as that class, ostracized and cast aside treated like two cheap low-​lives, but THEY STILL OWE ME TWO CLASSES! It’s not the money, it’s the principle. I’d be lying if I said I wildly threw money around, but if they told me about the requirement to purchase yarn at the beginning, I might’ve bought a couple of skeins and pretended it was part of the class fee. Or maybe I wouldn’t have bought the stamp card at all. Whatever my decision, it would be my decision, not theirs to unfairly force upon my friend and I.

I attended 2 out of the 3 beginner classes so far and just love Knit Schtick! The owner, Lauren, and all of the instructors are so patient. I can’t wait to get out of the beginner level stage so I can make the beautiful sweaters, hats and «Shark Tank» purses that the others are making.
My Mom was an avid knitter and she used to make scarves in a day. Now I appreciate all the work that went into making one.
For those of you who are debating whether to start up knitting or crocheting, I’d highly recommend taking lessons here. I had tried another class while on vacation in Carmel/​Pacific Grove, and almost gave up because the instructors there were so mean. So happy that the Knit Schtick instructors are so patient and helpful. Thank yoU!

Love this store. The owner knows her yarn. I enjoy all the friendly knitters that I’ve met there.

Well they are closed Monday’s June July and August. So if I have a chance to come back I’ll give a better rating,

I have been coming to Knit Schtik for several years. I love the variety of yarn and the friendliness of the staff and other customers. I have completed several projects using their help and I love how they can help you put yarns together to create something stricking! I hightly recommend KS

I came here looking for a soft yarn for a baby blanket. I was very happy with the selection and prices. The owner and staff were very helpful. It was such a nice energy in there that I decided to come back the following day to finish up my project. All of the ladies were friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend this place!

Most special knit shop! Cozy environment. A warm family community of knitters of all ages and backgrounds. Exquisite yarns of all colors and textures, right for all seasons. Extraordinary support in daily classes. Kindness and integrity always! Lauren, the shop owner, and her staff could not be more patient and helpful. Gorgeous finished patterns for every need and desire drape chairs, comfy sofas and mannequins at every turn. Patterns available in countless styles. Any pattern, yarn or needle you may need or desire, Lauren will make every effort to create and secure for you.
Could not imagine wanting more, and I have a very big imagination.
Now that I have relocated from Nortern California to Irvine, where the knit shops in the Bay Area were lovely, I am grateful to have found Knit Schtick, a shop unsurpassed by none.

You aren’t going to find a better knit shop in Orange County. Period. Probably not even in LA. Compared to the other knitting shops, this place is huge and most importantly? It has natural lighting which is a huge plus if you’ve ever knitted somewhere with bad/​artificial lighting. Tons of parking (and handicap parking), wall after wall of every type of yarn imaginable in every color imaginable, (and always new yarn coming in), super friendly and very welcoming women and… a never-​ending supply of good noshes. Lauren, the owner, is great. Teaches classes that are NOT the same thing over and over, year after year. Every class is different, every season is different. Always on-​trend, hip items from cowls to shawls to sweaters to skirts to baby outfits to slippers to socks to things you never knew you could knit yourself. I’ve tried a few other knitting shops but made this place my home. And that’s how I feel when I walk through the door. Like I came home and am knitting in my living room with my girlfriends. She’s got it decorated with couches and chairs and pillows and huge tables and the classes are very reasonable (knitting and crochet and now weaving) and she is full of ideas. The other teachers are also unbelievably talented, and VERY patient. If you have a problem, they have an answer. Don’t waste your time anywhere else. Seriously. The vibe here is so positive and friendly and uplifting. It’s cheaper than therapy and just as beneficial. She’s also got a huge supply of needles and always getting new stuff. I wish I found this place years ago.

The store manager is very nice, she has large selections of yarns. She has classes for us, and great teacher. Better location with more parking space. The store has space that allow wheelchairs and scooters to get around. There is handicap parking in front of the store.

Staff is super friendly and know a lot about knitting and crocheting. Great selection of KnitPicks and beautiful yarns. The yarns are pricey but made of luxury materials.
They have affordable classes throughout the week. I haven’t tried one yet, but will in the future.
This is now my go to place for quality knitting needles.