String Yarns

In reality, this review would have gotten 2.5 stars.
The most diplomatic and direct review I can give of this shop is, if you KNIT (not crochet) and are looking to buy cashmere, some Charles Tahki or Filatura, this is your shop.
If you crochet, or are looking for things like Cascade, Malabrigo, Madeline Tosh, or anything else, this isn’t the shop for you.

I enjoyed my visit to String — great yarns, patterns, samples and a beautiful new shop.
Heads up — the yarns are mostly that of Mr. Stacy Charles –of Tahki Stacy Charles — so inventory is their cashmere, cashmere silk blend, all the Zara, and Filatura di Crosa. Not a huge selection from a super– wide variety of importers. They do carry Art Yarns.
What they stock is beautiful, and the shop ladies were so kind and fun. I was inspired to buy some cashmere and some merino in a beautiful blue. I didn’t have time to sit and knit — but there are tables and chairs and bright light and street views.
Splurge on luxury yarn ! You deserve it !
Worth the trip.

Dropped in recently to see the new location and OMG it was fabulous! It’s warm and friendly, with lots of windows to look down on Lexington Ave, knit and watch the world go by. Everyone working there was ready to help, and also friendly. The yarn selection is gorgeous, and has something for everyone, in varying price ranges. The new ready to wear items are chic, well priced, and will satisfy any need for instant knit gratification. I love this new String!

Visited the new location at 144 E 74^th st & Lexington. Terrific lighting, loved the choice of yarns– there was a nice variety. Mid to high prices. The samples were casual and chic, knitable and wearable. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable.
They helped me with color choices for projects. There is a bar with seating at the window to sit and knit. Next time I go I want to sit and knit and people watch.

Encountered them at Vogue Knitting Live. Easily the rudest people you can imagine running their booth. While looking inquisitively at a skein of yarn, one of them barked «WHAT» at me, and then responded to my question abruptly and rudely. I’ll spend my money elsewhere, thanks. In the words of Pretty Woman’s Vivian Ward «Big mistake. BIG mistake.»

I walked into this place ready to spend about $ 80 on nice laceweight for a pattern already picked out. After buzzing me in to the second story shop, the woman showed me the fingering yarns and I was thereafter totally ignored. Nothing has a price, the women were rude to other customers besides me.
Edited to add: the yarn selection is limited and quirky. They have pricey possum yarn, but not Malabrigo nor Madelinetosh. No Rowan, Lamb’s Pride, nor Cascade.
Real shame. Not enough yarn stores in this part of the city, but I’ll never return to this place.

I stopped in here today for first time. Tiny place with 3 workers there and no one acknowledged me with a hello or even looked up. I was able to find one woman to help me with my question, but then what happened next was nothing less than a total bummer. … So I went to the counter to pay and since I was only buying one yarn for $ 8, I asked if it was OK that I used my debit card or should I use cash (since the purchase was small. Some places dont allow cards for purchases under 10 dollars). This is what the eastern european woman behind the counter said, not kidding, …“Of course we accept credit cards! This is Madison Ave! Maybe you are used to Queens or Brooklyn cash only stores??” My response: «I have never been to Queens or Brooklyn.» Her response: Oh really, where do you live? My response: Down the street here on the UES!!! You have got to be kidding me lady! I looked quite presentable so not sure where that intended rudeness came from. What a joke. And even if I did happen to live in another borough, who cares! These people need more therapy than knitting is providing. Or maybe they lost their knitting sticks up their a***.

SO condescending. Grilled about what I was looking for when I was just there to browse. Asked if there was a credit card minimum and was told no. When I pulled out a gift certificate ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS A CREDIT CARD MINIMUM.

I don’t know if it was just me, but this shop was a little snooty for a yarn store. I didn’t feel welcome at all. It’s just yarn! However, they do have good quality products.

Overpriced yarn, even when it is on sale. Staff is extremely rude. Be prepared for them to criticize your project and then ask another staff member who will also criticize your project! Don’t even waste your time going here.

Spectacular selection of high-​end yarns, especially cashmere. Unique patterns are free with yarn purchase. The staff was friendly yet not obtrusive and made me feel welcome to handle and look carefully at the many sample knitted garments, all simple yet elegant and skillfully finished. Private lessons and group «directed knitting» sessions are so helpful and reasonable priced. Very pleasant and bright space. Owner Linda Morse is author of the book «Luxury Knitting» and that is exactly what this shop specializes in.

I’m so happy I found this wonderful knitting shop! I have been taking a class with Lisa and she is a terrific teacher. She’s extremely patient and knowledgeable and I have learned a lot so far. She has helped me pick out yarn and offered many valuable pointers. I will definitely continue taking classes with her.
Beyond that, the shop has many beautiful house patterns and I love thinking about what I want to make next. The store environment is relaxed and the entire staff is eager to help. I would definitely recommend String for people looking for a great place to take lessons and buy yarn!

This is a spacious (even sparse looking), bright shop on the second floor of a brownstone in a posh neighborhood… So I was able to overlook the outrageous prices of some of the fancier options. The staff was a little aloof but I like it that way. When I did need assistance I was helped promptly. Prices are visible, which I also like. The Noro Furisode I bought was $ 18/​hank, mere pennies above MSRP which is just fine for the area. They have a swift all set up and they offer to roll your purchase into balls/​cakes for you. Nice touch!

Stopped by here on a drizzling Sunday afternoon. Another yarn store secreted away on the second floor. You have to be buzzed in and it is up a flight of stairs, but the store is bright and welcoming.
The woman working behind the desk was knowledgeable and helpful. She didn’t even seem offended when we didn’t end up buying anything. There was a group (perhaps a class) sitting around the table but none of them seemed to even notice us (not even our ubercute baby).
The back room seems a bit of a shambles, but they did just move in so perhaps there are plans for that area?
There are some high end luxury yarns here ($ 180/​skein! that’s just crazy), but there are also some other yarns that are easier on the pocket book. The Koigu seemed to be priced the going rate ($ 13/​skein for KPPM) but the Araucania was more expensive (by a few dollars a skein) than other places. I would come back here if I was in the area but wouldn’t make a journey across town for the store.
The one thing that really threw me off is that they only had a few skeins of superbulky yarns. The reason was that winter was over. Let’s be honest, most of my projects do not get completed in the season in which I started them! I don’t understand why a yarn store wouldn’t want to carry a variety of every weight yarn.

My experience at String was by far the worst experience I have had in any knitting store. The staff completely ignored me while they attended to other customers (suffice to say I was the only person of color there) and even gave me an annoyed look when I politely asked for help. The place was filled with snobby UES women who didn’t smile and gave me a «what are YOU doing here?» look when I was inside. Overall do not expect a friendly welcome (or any greeting at all) if you are not caucasian and wealthy. Practically every knitting store I’ve been to has reflected the open and welcoming atmosphere of the knitting community, however this store is a tragic execption. Like the first reviewer, I will never even consider stepping back in there again!

Gorgeous, overpriced yarns and snooooty staff that would not lift a finger to assist. This is the second shop I ever visited as a new knitter. I had just spent $ 500 at another not so nice shop and hadn’t thought I could be worse treated until I arrived at String. Their selection of fine wools was decent, but I’ll still head to the mondo huge cashmere choices at Knitting Nation, importer and supplier to other retail yarneries.
I had budgeted another chunk of cash to start my stash but despite the lovely yarns, could not remain in the frosty confines of this shop.
It was the height of summer but there was a definite chill in the air inside here.
Recently I heard they had a huge sale. As a yarnivore, you’d think I take the 4÷5÷6 right up there. Not. You couldn’t pay me to go back.