Yarns By the Sea

Such amazing, wonderful and helpful ladies run this beautiful shop! They are always willing to take time and help me start new projects, fix current projects etc. love it there!

Love this LYS! Great selection of yarns and the lighting is great. The ladies are always very helpful and go above and beyond the call of duty.

If I could give this business 10 stars, I would. It has a nice offering of fine knitting materials which is probably something that can be said about other knitting stores in the area. What is exceptional about this store is the incredibly helpful owner (Chrissey) and her marvelous employee, Sarah. I had not knitted for decades and at the suggestion of a girlfriend (who suggested I go to Yarns By The Sea) I decided to give it a try. Sarah has patiently taken all the time necessary to not only help me select an appropriate project and yarn, but also get me «up to speed» with knitting techniques I’d long forgotten. She has even patiently fixed mistakes I’ve made… a service I have NEVER encountered in any other local knitting shop. The store has a large, open table where knitters gather and help is given. A sofa too. Lots of space to just come in and knit, get help, etc.

My favorite yarn shop. The women who work there are very helpful and friendly but also let you browse freely. Even when I end up not buying something, I don’t get the cold-​eyed stare you get at some shops.
They carry some of my favorite yarns including Madeline Tosh and Anzula, which can be hard to find.

I LOVE this LYS! Super friendly and helpful staff… great selection of local as well as indie fibers, and continually offering fun and inspirational classes and projects !

I don’t knit, and this shop is mostly for knitters, but they are friendly, and they carry some needlework supplies, floss, canvas, silk floss etc. which I do use. Today I had some time to kill before a bellydance performance in the neighborhood, so I went and stitched for a bit at their friendly project table, then I ducked into the bathroom, and changed into my costume and make up. The ladies all wished me luck, and it was a nice send off.
I buy gifts for my mom here sometimes, and she has been happy with their selection.

I’ve been knitting at Yarns By the Sea for 6 months now and feel like a family member in a very short time because of the incredible owner, employees and last but not least, Cheryl. All have helped me on new projects, each time building my skill level and confidence. The atmosphere in the store is warm and welcoming plus the variety of yarn is the best I’ve seen. I check out new stores wherever I go to compare and have not found one yet with the quality of yarn or friendly atmosphere. I feel blessed to have found this store by accident.

Shop is beautiful, with a good, but not great selection of yarns. It seems to be very popular among ladies of a «certain age»…knitting and chatting around a table. However, after spending part of an afternoon knitting, it became apparent that the group was rather clique-​ish. I actually witnessed one old biddy be rude to a patron. When the patron left, the group sort of cackled and clucked about her. So rude! I have no idea if the staff is aware of the negative vibe that dominates the environment. I’ll never go back. I can buy nicer yarn elsewhere, and at a business that values ALL it’s customers, not just the regulars who camp out.

I usually buy my yarns from Walmart or Michaels, but wanted something special for making a difficult shawl pattern I downloaded from
to make for my boyfriend’s mom. I was no novice to knitting, but far from expert.
The shop is located in a square, and stepping inside is a nice living room setting with yarns in cubbies against the walls. There were two women chatting near the register. I took a while to pick out the perfect hue of blacks and purples in a yarn skein. The lady at the register looped my yarn for me so that it is in a workable condition while I’m knitting. She even looked at my yarn pattern and gave me tips! It’s a little harder than I thought, but if I need any help, I will be sure to turn to these ladies at Yarns by the Sea.

I came to this store hoping to find a project for the weekend. I went in on a Friday afternoon, the store was clean, and organized. Howerver, I need to say that customer service was non exisitant. There was a group of ladies at the table all socializing which is good, the clerk was at the computer doing something. No «Hello» No «Welcome». I made my first trip around the store looking. Thinking that this is strange. So, I thought well I will make another loop around the store trying to find something that grabbed me. Nothing. So, I thought I don’t need to spend my money in here. So, I left. Wont’ go back.

This shop is as good as it gets! I can’t think of anything I don’t like about YBTS, everyone who works there is super nice, the selection of yarns, needles and hooks is fabulous, they have embroidery supplies too, the prices are fair, they have great knitting bags and other accessories. Special orders? No problem. Oddball requests? Received with aplomb and fulfilled if at all possible. Help? Offered with a smile.
It’s in the middle of Aptos so there are good restaurants nearby should you be coming from out of town or stay so long you miss a meal (not hard to do). I count myself among the most fortunate of people because it’s five minutes from my house, so I can go in all the time and shop or just hang out. I love it.

Great place. Chrissy, owner, is always willing to help when you a question and the ladies that go there are lovely.

This knitting store is far and away the best shop I’ve seen in the area. The variety of yarn they have on display for purchase is impressive, as are the skills of the team running the shop! I go in and never feel pressured to make a purchase or hurry up with my project planning. I love the evening knitting hours and the long wooden table in the center of the shop makes for a great place to pull up a chair and knit with others. Oh and they have a collection of magazines for partners/​boyfriends/​husbands who may find themselves at the shop but not want to look at yarn. Great knitting shop — what a wonderful addition to the community!

So excited to find this shop! I visited here with my aunt yesterday and was able to find some awesome yarn. It is very well organized and they have a large selection of yarn.
Now I just need to finish my current projects so I can start on the new ones. :) And hopefully return soon!

my new favorite place. Clean, lots of chairs, smells good, friendly, decent inventory, sweet gals who will offer to help you with anything and they run the place. Nice nice nice. I am so lucky they opened up nearby my house — i don’t have to drive far anymore. So NICE here!

I am from Southern Cal and just stumbled on to this store. Very attractive samples and layout. Friendly help! Wish it was in my neck of the woods.

In my struggle to learn to knit I have not found a place more willing to help
me! Very patient people to help you out!
The store is very mellow feeling, open and airy.
The yarn and projects inside are wonderful.
Best place in Santa Cruz for sure !

A warm shop full of lovely yarns in amazing colors. A great place to go and hang out and knit. The owners are wonderful and love it when they see a familar face come back in. Stop in and check it out.

Neat, organized store with a nice selection and great samples. Good variety of weights and fibers. I picked up some sock yarn and some washable yarn (to make mittens for my niece). Will return for Malabrigo sock yarn.

Really nice store with lovely ladies willing to help you with your project. While there, check out their beautiful bathroom. Cloth towels, copper basin, and your choice of five different hand lotions. Unlike most yarn shops, this one is well lighted and neatly organized. Don’t hesitate to give Yarns by the Sea a try.