The Black Sheep

Long ago, I was born into a textile mill city. It’s safe to say that love of fibre and color is in my bones. So it was a delight when I walked into The Black Sheep with its endless supply of yarns plus. With two projects on needles now, I really didn’t need another. But I have outstanding granddaughters who will always welcome a new infinity scarf. It was saleswoman
Robin who attended to my whims. She happily located the most perfect, gorgeous color yarn for project 3; Lang Asia, 70% silk, 30% Yak ! Then she wrote every bit of info I needed to follow — all
measurements and stitches written out.
I am a beginner knitter, so you can understand why I am so impressed. This shop’s inventory will amaze you. Don’t hesitate to visit. There is parking at their door.

I started knitting about 9 – 10 months ago and have always know about TBS. My daughter said I should check it out. The selection is good and I almost always walk out with yarn for a future project.
Best of all the ladies have been super helpful when I come in with a question about technique, etc… Today especially they helped me work through knitting a heel flap and the gusset. I was intimidated at first but not anymore.

This shop is great. I waddled in 7 months pregnant with my toddler today and the employees were incredibly kind as I took a long time deciding on what to get and chasing my daughter as she explored a bit. I am new to higher end yarns and appreciated the staff walking me through good options and explaining why some of the yarns I picked up would not work for my pattern.

This is a wonderful little shop! Karen and Maggie were so very helpful! Both of these lovely women are very knowledgeable and they know their inventory. Karen asked me a few questions about what I was looking for, gave me a quick tour of the shop, and left me to find the right fiber for my project without being overbearing or pushy. I had such a wonderful time, and both ladies answered my questions with warmth and enthusiasm. Once I found my yarn they were kind enough to wind my skeins for me as well. I will be going back for my crafting needs in the future. Thanks to The Black Sheep for an excellent yarn shopping experience!

By far the best yarn selection in the San Diego area. Almost an overwhelming amount of choices, but as a fiber lover I can’t complain.

So my first experience here wasn’t all that great, but the second time I went back (for needed supplies) I was happy to have a little better experience. There is the one employee who works there who isn’t exactly friendly, but just ignore her attitude and it’s great. Another lady who was working (seemed like she was in charge) was very helpful and gave us recommendations for different fibers to work with for my weaves. I bought roving, Big Montana wool fiber, and a few other cotton/​wool blended yarns.

The ladies here are nice enough. I mainly go here because they have a private parking lot!
They have a variety of yarns, colors, and weights. If you’re looking for a color of Manos, they have EVERY colorway hanging from their ceiling.
But if you’re looking for something specific, especially luxurious, you won’t find it here. If I go in knowing what I’m looking for, most especially the color I want, I have no luck. But if I’m a little more generic in what I’m looking for, and am flexible on color or weight, I’ll definitely find it.
It seems as if many of their yarns have been sitting on their shelves for many years.
The inventory is practically the same as any other San Diego yarn shop. If you’ve been to one SD LYS, you’ve been to them all (with variances of customer service and which local dyers they carry).

Delightful…
I was fortunate to make my way to this piece of heaven on Tues 7÷21÷2015.
Extremely well stocked with lovely yarn and notions.
Wonderfully welcoming staff with a superb knowledge of all Fibre arts!
Next time I am down this way I will certainly make this a destination.
Well done Black Sheep, Well done

This shop is amazing! I came in to look for specific roving to spin and while they didn’t have what I was looking for, I did find some to work with that is just beautiful! I was greeted quickly by a nice woman who helped me while I looked at some more yarn and then the owner came out and we talked for a few minutes about what I wanted. She’s offered to check her resources and get back to me. Everyone was so helpful and nice! Can’t wait to go back!

The Black Sheep is one of the best yarn shops ever!
First
Customer service is 5 star! Karen the Owner and her amazing staff are so kind helpful and assist you till you walk out the door.
You feel like family the moment you want in the door!
Second
The selection of yarn is amazing!
It takes a lot of joyful time to browse, please allow a lot of time!
Third
Expect to come back again and again.
When you bring your work in they are so helpful when stuck with a pattern.
They spend time helping you find the perfect pattern for the yarn you chose.
Never in the 15 years of knitting did I find such genuine support and consideration.
If you are like me, you drive 25 miles one way just to soak in all the beautiful color!
Fourth
Simply a knitters heaven!!!

Went here today for the first time with my Mam’ma. So many different yarns to choose from. These are all beautiful hand dyed yarns. The ladies in the shop were very helpful and nice. Will definitely go back (:

I went into The Black Sheep last week while cruising Encinitas with some friends who don’t knit. I was looking for a super wash wool to make a sweater for my adult son. The owner of the shop was fantastic! She helped me find easy-​care options and even sent another employee into the back room to dig out enough skeins in the same dye lot for my sweater. My non-​knitting friends were welcomed and made comfortable while I shopped. Added bonus – my friend left a bag of items purchased at another store. When she called the next morning to see if she’d left it, the owner said she had put it behind the counter as she suspected it was left by our group. I will be going back to The Black Sheep. It’s my new go-​to knitting store in North County.

I love The Black Sheep. I know some people complain about not being approached but I would rather look around and not constantly be approached by employee’s. I’m there for yarn and I found it. If I need help, I’ll ask.
A lot of yarn and roving here is high end, definitely out of my budget. But I still like to look and pet. I ALWAYS buy something when I’m here as opposed to other stores where I leave disappointed.
The parking is awesome, the store is always clean and the amount of yarn is happily overwhelming.
Go, you will not be disappointed!

I reviewed this store about a year ago but had to come back with a re-​review for fairness sake.
The store has made a VAST improvement on their friendliness factor and customer service. I gave it four more shots (just to be sure it wasn’t a fluke) and they have been super nice every time. I see new faces working there and they were very, very nice.
Now they’ve got it all… good location, good parking, good selection AND good welcoming skills. Well done, Black Sheep!

I’m on a personal yarn crawl thru SoCal and am in love with Black Sheep! They have a great selection and a really friendly staff. My visit was the day before the 2^nd annual San Diego Yarn Crawl and they were very attentive even though they were busy getting ready.
The shop is stocked to the rafters (literally) with yarn and goodies. They have everything from Alchemy to Zen Garden (A to Z…) and lots of price points to make everyone happy. They’re a very creative bunch and encourage you to enjoy what you do — it’s not just about the business of selling, which is a major plus for me. Instead, they want to know that you’re inspired to go create something.
Black Sheep also has plenty of parking in their lot.
If I lived in the area, this would be one of my go-​to LYSs, lovely place.

It was my second visit in the last two weeks and both times I’ve been very impressed with both the staff and the selection. I’m more familiar with Two Sisters and Ewe and Needlecraft Cottage but I do get up into Encinitas since my sister lives there. Today I was looking for some specific yarn for a project and the staff person went out of her way to show me all the options, then winding it even though it was a modest purchase. Anyway, they have a large and gorgeous selection of yarn. I will definitely be back.

I visited the black sheep a few years ago while in San Diego and I knew I wanted to make time to peruse this lovely shop again on my way home to Hawaii. The yarns here are gorgeous and the ladies who work here are so kind and helpful. I definitely recommend a stop here!

Brought my mom for help with a pattern. Extremely good customer service. Uniquely Beautiful yarns for the knitting junkies. Very happy.

I love this store! There are tons of nice yarns to choose from in a variety of weights and colors. It’s true, the ladies here don’t greet you the instant you walk in the store, but they are very friendly and helpful nonetheless. I was asked if I need any help when I was just browsing around and even had my yarn wrapped after I made my purchase without even asking. The first batch of yarn I bought turned out to be too thin for the project I bought it for but they were extremely nice about allowing me to exchange the yarn. The women that work there are all very knowledgeable about knitting and very willing to answer any questions. I’m not an advanced knitter by any means but I overheard the workers answering a few very beginner questions with patience and much explanation. I will continue to shop here!
Note — they don’t take AMEX.

The Black Sheep demonstrates that a business with supplies for a warm and fuzzy hobby does not necessarily make for a warm and fuzzy shopping experience.
I am an advanced beginner at knitting and crocheting, and was looking to up my game a little from the yarn aisles at a chain craft store to a «real» yarn store. I also try to support local businesses.
Although there were two staff members and only one other customer in the store, no one greeted me or asked if I needed help during the entire time I was in the store. In a small store like this, it’s just plain awkward to be completely ignored. One clerk was chatting with the only other customer about knitting, and the other was reading a magazine. I know I could have asked for assistance, but the fact that no one even acknowledged my presence upon my arrival, not even eye contact and a smile, nor asked me if I needed help during my leisurely stroll through the store, spoke volumes about their attitude on customer service. As a slightly overwhelmed newbie to a yarn store, I was hoping for a different experience.
They have been in business a long time, so I assume they must have a loyal customer base, and don’t need to cultivate new customers.
Perhaps when I have more experience, I will come to appreciate this store for their yarn inventory, but for now, I’ll keep searching for yarn store with a more welcoming and helpful staff.