If you haven't been to Black Squirrel yet, you are missing out! If you knit, crochet or sew or just want to learn how to do all of the above this is the place for you. Chase Clark stocks the shop with special, mostly hand dyed yarns from indie American dyers, as well as fabrics, books, patterns and notions. She has affordable from beginning to advanced classes. The space is very modern with concrete and lots of windows. It has such great lighting for displaying all the beautiful goodies and for knitting. There is a weekly knit night which is usually full and welcoming. She also has a casual " come anytime and hang out" attitude for the rest of the week. There's usually someone perched on the couch knitting and chatting. The best part for me about the store is the kind and caring manner in which Chase operates her business. She truly wants to provide a safe place for crafters to be able to come and hang out. There is no pressure to buy. This is the type of local yarn store every community deserves. We are so lucky to have Black Squirrel near by! read more

Beautiful! Found the exact yarn I was looking for (charcoal grey with sparkling silver throughout, but not itchy!), even though I didn't even know it existed! Warm and welcoming staff, kind and accommodating for children. Will be back! read more

It was a little tricky to find in the construction, but well worth it. Lovely collection and friendly people.

I visited the store the first time several weeks ago. The ladies met me at the door asking immediately if they could help. They were with me showing me so many things and explaining with detail the yarn and how some of it was hand dyed. I felt I was the only one in the store alto there were at least 10 plus more people there. The ladies were extremely helpful and their yarn is probably the finest in the area. Fabulous store - I will return! read more

When they mailed us some awesome yarn, the cherry on top was the RE-USED shipping envelope!! That means less waste, and all that comes with it. Brava Black Squirrel!! Thank you!! read more

There are only a few small yarn shops around. One in Albany, one in Oakland, and the Black Squirrel in Berkeley. This is by far my favorite. The owner and staff invite you to come in and knit there. They are friendly, helpful, and happy to have people gather and knit. The yarn qualify is superb, with many yarns dyed by hand by the staff. There is parking within a block or two, not a big problem, yes there may be meters buy they are $1.50 an hour! Cheap. Black Squirrel is now open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 to 5. Come join us. read more

Open, bright, beautiful shop full of absolute yes please. The yarn, supplies, and the humans are consistently delightful, kind, and welcoming. I'm a crocheter first and was thrilled to find that Chase, the owner, loves both crochet and knitting. She's full of great ideas and is a wizard at finding perfect patterns. This shop is my favorite place to get my yarn fix. I have also found quite a few unique gifts here. read more

Black Squirrel Yarns - Knitting Supplies Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Given its craft-friendly, DIY reputation, Berkeley is a dependably great place for adventures in knitting, needlework, and crocheting. Black Squirrel is a yarn, fabric, and art store well suited to the tastes and aesthetic sensibilities of the millennial generation, or just the the eternally young at heart who regard working with wool and other natural fibers as a timeless activity that unites across generations, cultures, and sexual orientations. Black Squirrel is situated in attractive ground-floor corner real estate on the same street as the Takara sake works and within earshot of a major railroad crossing near the corner of 4th Street and Addison. It is simply designed with high ceilings and lots of unfinished concrete surfaces and minimalist architectural stylings. It may not fit the stereotype of an uebercute, quaint knitting store, but don't be fooled by its sleek, modernist lines: the interior shelves and cubby holes are awash in vibrant colors and supremely supple fabrics. I liked the fact that the shop staff I interacted with left me time and space to explore the products for sale thoroughly before deciding on two skeins of superfine merino wool (from Apple Tree Knits and the Forbidden Woolery). I also found a set of Portland-made metal sock blockers, which was a great find and saved me from ordering them online from an English manufacturer. Inside, several Sunday morning knitters were focused on their projects, while joggers and dog walkers bound for the nearby Berkeley Aquatic Park passed by on the sidewalk. It is easy to feel connected to the neighborhood here, as the large floor-to-ceiling windows let in high amounts of natural light, which really allows the colors and textures of the yarns and other fabrics here to shine. If you are coming from out of town, take the University Avenue exit and turn right on 6th Street and then right on Addison, where on weekends street parking is free (it is metered 2 hour maximum otherwise). There is a coffee shop nearby (Catahoula), a Title Nine store, a Sierra Nevada Torpedo tap room, and a few blocks North the entire 4th Street shopping district. Also, as previously mentioned, you are close to the Berkeley Aquatic Park, fun for a stroll, and to the pedestrian footbridge that offers access to the Berkeley Marina and bayside parks. And of course the sake tasting room, too, which opens at noon. If wine is more your thing, however, you can take a short drive down 4th Street to Broc Cellars, Lusu, or Donkey & Goat, to sample their selections of naturally made, artisan Californian wine. All in all, a perfect Berkeley day trip, thanks to cool and locally owned stores like the Black Squirrel! read more

Black Squirrel Yarns - Store windows facing the RR. - Knitting Supplies Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Super awesome store in west Berkeley near the 4th St shops to get knitting and crochet supplies and to take classes. It's a beautiful space with tons of light and very friendly and welcoming to total beginners. Great place to get crafty and come with a group of friends. read more

Black Squirrel Yarns - Knitting Supplies Near Me - Berkeley, California

These folks have put together a thoughtful collection of materials (yarn, fabric) and supplies for crafters who work with yarn OR fabric. The gracious owner, Chase, features local/indie spinners and dyers, too. The selection of notions and patterns is special and unique. There are also gift items. The Black Squirrel occupies a modern space in the newest sector of Berkeley's Fourth Street shopping precinct, a half block from free 2-hour parking, Catahoula Coffee, and Brennan's hof brau and bar. She welcomes crafters to come and sit in the light-filled room and is doing a good job of building community in her shop -- she hosts a thriving open knitting/crocheting night on Thursdays. There is an adjacent large room for classes. Go there! read more

This is a lovely shop with a very welcoming vibe. I'm a teacher here, but also a customer. I almost always find some lovely yarn, fabric, or notion to buy, and Chase and her staff are all super friendly and not pushy about making sales - Wesley is particular is really sweet. It's definitely a stop for any crafty folks visiting the East Bay. read more

I love the Black Squirrel! Every time I'm in Berkeley I make sure to stop by. I cannot wait to visit their new store in Oakland! They keep their shelves well stocked with the most beautiful yarn, much of it the artisan type of hand painted yarn that is very sought after. Finding that perfect skein to complete a project is like discovering gold! Don't expect to see a lot of big brands carried at this store, as they focus on special, handmade and rare items. I appreciate the friendly and patient staff at the Black Squirrel. They make this store a pleasure to shop at. read more

This place feels like the cool kid of craft stores. Everything is focused on being better at your craft, be it knitting, sewing, or crochet. The selection while not competing with your average craft store is focused on quality product. I am more of a hobby crafter and found that the fabrics to be very cool and the yarns to be gorgeous. As someone still learning, I appreciate the owner being an avid crafter herself. My first big crochet project was with cheaper yarn, and I wish I had an owner like Chase to warn me that its worth buying nice stuff to start because you will hold onto that first thing you create. The stuff in her shop is all worthy of gifts and personal projects. Speaking of gifts she also seems to have a nicely curated collection of jewelry from local artists if you are just looking for a present. I wish her the best of luck in he new space! read more

Stopped by last weekend on a rainy Sunday and found: -friendly owner -unique, indie yarns -naughty cross stitching kits -plenty of seating Looking forward to getting to know this little spot read more

The Black Squirrel is a beacon for people who work with textile crafts: crochet, knitting, weaving, embroidery, cross stitch, felting and sewing (both by hand and by machine). The owner, Chase, deliberately set out to establish an inclusive place where craftspeople can gather and form a community. All kinds of textile arts classes are offered at reasonable prices and camaraderie is encouraged. The very knowledgeable staff is available for suggestions and advice. They also help people with their projects for free! The shop has designated times for crafters to meet and work individually in company but, best of all, the door is always open for people to work in the "living room" end of the shop. Of course, the yarns, tools and unusual notions make this shop special but I love it most for the welcoming atmosphere. read more

This is such an incredible spot for the crafty folks out there. I recently attended a sewing class here and it was such an awesome experience!! Our teacher, Ilah was incredibly patient and the owner, Chase was also very helpful. You can tell they are both passionate about what they do and love sharing their knowledge with others. I don't live in the area, but I'll definitely be back! read more

A great store! I wanted to macrame wool but didn't know anything about purchasing wool or macrame! Maia was amazing. She took the time to talk me through my project. She taught me how to macrame quickly. She made great suggestions so that my project would be successful. She made me feel comfortable in a situation where I am not knowledgeable. I will do many more art projects with them! I truly appreciated the assistance. read more

Such a lovely store and helpful friendly people! I splurged (on the recommendation of a staff member) on the higher cost interchangeable needle set, and I was not led astray! That sort of experienced help (knowing the brands, knowing when it is worth it to upgrade, advice or help with problems) is what makes a local yarn store worth having around instead of just buying things online. I will be happy to support this store for a long time to come. read more

A bright cheerful shop that has a variety of needle/fiber craft products. I live out of the area and had been wanting to visit for quite some time. I was not disappointed when I finally got there a couple months ago. The staff was welcoming and have expertise in the various needle crafts which was helpful in making a choice for a new project. There is also a wide range of yarns for any budget. read more

The Black Squirrel is a beautifully curated shop. They always have beautiful yarns, fabrics, and kits to give inspiration for your next project. The owner Chase is extremely knowledgeable and very helpful if you are new to crafts; as are the people who teach classes, attend the weekly Stitch n Bitch, or just come by the shop to hang out. read more

This store (which I just happened upon today) is utterly delightful. Chase, the owner, is helpful, knowledgeable, approachable, and kind. I am a total beginner, and she helped me fix a little problem situation with my first ever scarf. She also engaged my 10 year old who loved the store. The physical space is beautiful with gorgeous textures and colors intentionally curated just so. What a pleasure to support this local, woman-owned, creative business! read more

This is a great LYS! Cute and bright shop with a good selection of yarn and some fabulous fabrics (wish I could sew). Love the staff and the other patrons who are all so helpful. It's also dog friendly. read more

So a year on and I love this spot so much! I don't live in town but I have family in Berkeley so every time I am in town I spend time here, and money ... this space is so magical to me. I only sew but all the amazing , unique yarn makes me want to knit my heart out. Guess I'll have to take some more of their classes! Let's be honest, if you don't like happiness or creativity or helpful people this may not be your kind of place... or maybe it's just what you need! read more

If you haven't been here in berkley and are a local knitter, do yourself a favor and visit. I have bought much yarn for many projects from here but the most memorable was when I wanted to learn and start my first brioche project. The employees were super helpful and wesley even sat with me to help me figure out the first few rows, after she wowed me by sending me a mini lesson plan from ravelry on minis and pointed me to great useful resources to help me continue and finally begin the big shawl! These guys are awesome in my book and a great local resource. read more

This is my favvvoooorrriteee yarn and fabric shop in the Bay Area! Chase, the owner, is so sweet, helpful and extremely welcoming! The shop offerings beautiful yarns, fabric, notions and cute creative gifts, plus an awesome line-up of classes! Every time I go in, I am extremely inspired and feel like I'm at home. This is must shop-stop for all knitters, sewers, crocheters, embroiderers and crafters! read more

This shop is a real treat. I love visiting this cozy space, perusing the fantastic array of yarns, and catching up with Chase, the kind and inspiring shop owner, who has started her own small business at such a young age. The Black Squirrel is constantly offering a great selection of knitting and crochet classes for all levels of yarn artists. What a treasure. read more

Wonderful shop with lovely yarn , notions and fabrics. They have unique yarn and sewing goodies which were well displayed. All questions were answered and help was given with an obvious passion for crafting. Wish I lived closer! read more

After about a 10 year knitting hiatus, I got the bug again. I went into the Black Squirrel last Thursday after work and received fabulous service from Westley (apologies if I'm mis-spelling or misremembering the name). I only knit with plant based fibers, so my selection was limited but fabulous. Westley helped me find the perfect cotton yarn and I was happily off. Then, the next day, I cast on, but couldn't join in the round because my circular needles were too long. So, I went back in on Friday afternoon with the intention of buying 2 pairs of needles so I could do this project in the round. Alie (again, apologies for misspellings) said that she'd be happy to sell me needles, or she could teach me how to knit in Magic Loop. She took about 30 minutes to focus on me and teach me and I am a changed knitter. I feel so empowered. She could have sold 2 extra pairs of needles, but instead she earned The Black Squirrel a loyal customer for as long as I have the knitting bug. read more

You won't find a more beautiful craft store or warmer people anywhere in the Bay Area. Chase is the most inviting and friendly shop owner I've ever met - she always has a smile ready, and is eager to help all who walk through her door. The shop is beautifully lit and filled with a very thoughtful selection of crafting goods, including an amazing rainbow wall of yarn, many of which are from local dyers. If you're a crafter of any sort, definitely don't skip the Black Squirrel! read more

The Black Squirrel is the sunniest, and most welcoming yarn store there is. This shop single handedly got me back into knitting and helped me grow to start designing my own patterns. With inspiration in every corner you'll find yourself wanting to make literally all the things. read more

I made a special trip from Foster City to visit this store and it was totally worth the over 1 hour long drive! I ended up purchasing a set of Marblz interchangeable needles that I had been eyeing online. One of the cords was defective to no fault of the shop. I contacted the owner, Chase, and they offered to mail me a replacement without having me come in. It's so nice that they took the extra time to make sure that I had a good experience with their shop. This is definitely one of the perks of shopping your local yarn store- they can make sure what you leave with is right for you! I will definitely be making the trip again to pick out some yummy yarn. I would have bought more, but I am drowning in skeins that I purchased at Stitches West. read more

The Black Squirrel shines in its focus on locally produced yarns and other supplies. I wish the yarns included more variety in fiber types and production methods, but the space is large and airy and there is still room to put in more shelving and displays. (Hint, hint!) The owner, Chase, is so enthusiastic about crafting and is always happy to answer my questions. I really appreciate that she crochets as well as knits - sometimes I have had crochet questions that people in other LYSs couldn't answer. I also love the selection of notions/accessories, cards, and non-knitting/crochet crafty things. I always end up adding some extra surprise to my basket, either for myself or for a friend. There is an area with books on very specific aspects of knitting, crocheting spinning, etc, and they are SO tempting! I've only held back because I have so little time to sit down and look at books. I'm looking forward to see how Chase expands her product lines and services in the future. She's off to a great start! read more

Gorgeous store, amazing yarn and other goodies. Chase is amazing and helpful. Def a nice relaxing place to hang and knit or learn a new craft read more

Wonderful yarn store with lots of beautiful yarns. Many of the yarns are spun and dyed by local women-owned businesses. The owner is warm and welcoming and very knowledgeable. It's a little out of the way but a very easy walk from the main Fourth Street businesses and totally worth it! Check it out! read more

The BEST destination for fiber FREAKS like me!!! Two reasons: selection of yummy supplies and passionate, patient service. Feel like needle felting, quiltmaking, sewing, or crotchet plus other stuff? Come here. read more

How can you NOT love Chase and the Black Squirrel? She always has something fun to buy and tons of amazing locally curated yarns. Shop til your crafty little heart is content! Run dont walk to the black squirrel. read more

What a great knit/ fabric store.! I've been wanting to come in after following Chase's Instagram feed and immediately fell in love with the vibe of the place. Filled with the most amazing indie, and American made yarns, African Colored baskets on top of the shelves, sweet notecards, little boutique items, fabric patterns and knitting supplies I was speechless! I am usually an in and out kind of shopper- I know what I like but ;at Black Squirrel I honestly couldn't make up my mind for which sock yarn skein I was going to buy. Chase was very attentive to my needs I needed new sock needles and she showed me two different unique types and why you would go about using them. I can't wait to come back! I drove all the way from Alameda and this is honestly a very special place. A must for a knitter, and sewer! read more

Absolutely the best little yarn and fabric store. The store itself is both tidy and elegant AND crammed with gorgeous things. The staff are friendly and helpful and really make me feel welcome. read more

My husband and I visited this shop on our trip to the San Francisco area in January 2019. We had some difficulty getting to the shop but were rewarded with an excellent experience when we finally arrived. The shop is airy, light and well-laid out. Wesley and the owner Chase are both extremely friendly and helpful. We spent a good deal of time in the shop. I found unique indie and local yarns and left the shop with some beautiful yarn. Prices are reasonable. Several months after our visit I called to place an order for some additional yarn and experienced the same friendly and accommodating service. read more

I love this place! Chase is the best, she is very sweet and helpful. I love all the little gifts and the amazing yarn. She picks beautiful hand spun and dyed yarns that you kust want ro devour. She also sells these wonderful lotions and soaps that smell and feel amazing. read more