I admit that I am a terrible knitter. I learned this about myself while taking an introductory class at Imaginknit. I signed up with 3 of my bestest girl friends for a few weeks of bonding, knitting and purling. I excelled at the bonding part. The knitting and purling, not so much. They made lovely scarves with rib stitches and multi-colored yarns. I made a few rows of something not pretty, got distracted and had to start over again, oh, about 50 times. Our teacher, Brandi, was excellent. She was patient and informative, and very cool. It must be exasperating to have people like me in class, who pay their fee and never, ever get better. She didn't seem to mind, and she was charming in other ways as well. My friends went on to make ponchos, cardigans, and baby hats. My knitting bag spends time in the back of various people's cars, full of the $80 worth of yarn I bought in hopes of making a scarf, and I am forever hopeful that someone will finish it for me, so it gets passed from friend to friend. Sad, isn't it? Now, I don't know squat about knitting, but I know beautiful yarn. Imaginknit has a large selection of yarns, nicely organized and in various price ranges. You can find basic wools and cottons, eyelash, tape, and beautiful slubby things that must have been spun by angels. I also know about service, and the folks at Imaginknit are very nice. There are a few yarn stores in the city that have a very snotty attitude, and Imaginknit is not one of those. So if you are considering taking up knitting, give Imaginknit a try. No matter if you end up with a shaker sweater or a crooked sock, you are sure to enjoy your experience. If you are already a seasoned knitter, go to check out their selection. And don't worry, I will never copy any of your original ideas. Because, well, I can't. read more

The largest yarn store in SF and the best (in terms of selection). They expanded a few years ago, knocking down a wall in the process. The place is organized by yarn type (wool, synthetics, cotton, etc.) They carry the best yarn brands (Noro, Debbie Bliss, Manos, Jo Sharp, etc.) and always have a sale section. The main room has wool yarns and needles, while the other room has knitting books, non-wool yarns, and knitting cases. There are some cute knitting related gifts like greeting cards with knitted squares, fancy knitting needles, tags to sew onto your knitted pieces (e.g., hand knit with love by...), and knitted animal ornaments. The staff might not greet you but they are helpful and knowledgeable once approached. They also have sample squares for most yarns with clear signage that tells you more about the yarn. Plus they have knitting and crochet classes and a blog, http://www.imagiknit.com/blog/ You earn a stamp on the frequent buyer program card for every $25 spent. read more

Learning to knit had been on my to do list for a while and when I moved just down the street form Imagiknit over a year ago, I told myself I was really going to do it. Well I finally decided that instead of spending so much money on gifts for friends' kids/babies, I'd start learning to knit cute stuff for them. Though I have a bunch of friends who can knit, I decided I didn't want to harass any of them and took the beginner class. The class basically teaches the knit and purl stitches and different combinations of the 2 and gets you started on a project, probably a scarf. I admit that it took lots of practice before I was comfortable with the stitches, but now that I've got it down and seen how "easy" the basic stitches are I regret having spent so much money on the class ($80+ not incl startup supplies). I've made the effort to buy most of my knitting supplies here to support local business so I would've preferred to use that money on different sized needles and yarns. But the class did help me feel more welcomed in the store. Whenever I need something fixed like a dropped stitch, I can go into the store where someone can fix it for me quickly. Also, all of the display items are for sale or you can get a print out copy of its pattern for free if you buy yarn from the store. I'm still a beginner knitter but have made a couple scarves and even learned to make beanies from a youtube video posted by Allison (the owner). Some of the displays are gorgeous and make me want to become a better knitter so I can make them on my own. read more

The staff at Imagiknit are like the bartenders at Toronado. They know they've got the best thing around so they're not going to be bothered with anything like being nice to a customer. Like any true addict... I routinely go back and spend large amounts of money here no matter how bad my last experience was. And I am addicted... best yarn and book selection in the city and the only place I've found a good amount of wool roving for sale. So even though I kinda hate you, I will be back. One additional star because of the new frequent buyer discount card. They don't have those at Toronado. read more

I have been shopping at this store for 7 yrs. However I am seriously considering shopping else where. There is a particular person who started working there rather recently whom at this point I can hardly stand. The store has a stamp card system for discount with next purchase when the card is fully stamped at $250/$25 per stamp x 10. I purchased total of $49.85 and this person gave me 1 stamp - thought how rigit and picky but kept it to myself. I returned recently to exchange a skein of yarn for another color and he almost turned me away because I did not have the receipt . He repeatedly said 'only this time' in such authoritative and demeaning attitude. Who is he to speak to me like that??? If it were to be Alison, the owner, she would have treated me with respect and kindness. read more

I'm not a crafty girl. I see other women, you know, those women who bake vegan cupcakes and do leathercrafting, women who throw together little slips of something fabulous on their sewing machines 30 minutes before going out, women who bead their own wedding dresses and knit bikinis and bind their own books. I'm not one of those awesome creative creatures that make places like Portland and SF so great. In fact, I am a total spaz. But Amy -- the Great Goddess of Patience Incarnate -- has taught me how to knit! It is because of her (and Imagiknit, and my husband who bought me the knitting lessons for Christmas) that I have something to do with my hands while I slack away my pregnancy, atop the pillow nest on my couch and --hooray!-- no longer snacking on anything that isn't nailed down. This store is well-stocked, easy to navigate, and staffed with very nice people. Plus-- a cute little dog! Cozy, happy, five stars. I will be back for the hat class in February. Baby needs a woolly new lid! read more

The yarn lined walls are filled with a diverse array of yarns, from the mundane wool or synthetic to lush cashmere and malabrigo. Pouring over the many colors and textures will make the time pass by very quickly. Once, I came to a halting point in a project and came to ImagiKnit to get more Malabrigo to finish the project. I was upset when they didn't have any stock of the shade that I was looking for, but they were so great that they said they would be able to take my name and give me a call when they got more of that color in....how cool is that? Unfortunately, my experience hasn't always been as positive....there can definitely be a snooty vibe that seems to be par for any place even remotely hip. At any rate, it is worth the trip out to the Castro and enduring some snooty aloofness because this is one of the best yarn shops in the city. read more

Imagiknit has plenty of yarns in all price ranges, but they're lacking in customer service. I've never been asked if I need help finding anything, and when I check out it seems like a hassle for the person at the register. They assume everyone that walks in the door is there to steal yarn. Every time I'm there I hear the staff talking about watching this person or watching that person. I understand that it's a small business and you have to be careful about theft but do you have to be so obviously obsessed about it in front of other customers? (Edit: The most recent time I went was much better, it was also less crowded. It appears they just get really stressed on the weekends when the store is packed. Understandable.) That being said, I'll continue to go because they're relatively convenient for me and they have a great selection of yarn. I've just lowered my expectations in the customer service department. read more

You know when you're standing in front of a tasty display or choosing a dessert from a menu and you just can't decide on which one you'd like to eat because they all sound delicious? I had one of those moments when I first walked into Imagiknit last Monday. As my friend and I walked along the walls touching all of the yarns, in a rainbow of colors, the sales assistant saw that we looked confused and quickly gave us a tour of the shop. The yarns are organized into two rooms- the main room has only yarns with 50% or more animal fibers, whereas the adjacent room mostly has yarns with plant fibers and synthetic yarns. The rooms are further organized by yarn weight- lace and fingering yarns begin on the right wall and go all the way around the room to the bulky yarns. I love the identification tags on the shelves with the name, content, weight, gauge and amount of each yarn. It makes looking for the perfect yarn that much easier, because instead of picking up each skein or hank, you can just look at the tag. What's even better is that there are hats placed by a few of the yarns on each wall, so you can see how the yarn knits up and looks as an FO (that's knitter talk for finished object). While Imagiknit does not have complimentary ball winding (like Nine Rubies in San Mateo), they do have an umbrella swift and winder for customers to use. The sales associate was really patient when teaching my friend and I how to untie a hank, getting it on the swift and winding the yarn into a ball. Imagiknit is a knitter's candy shoppe, but FYI: if you're looking for a set of knitting needles, check eBay first. read more

Three words: Malabrigo test yarns. Seriously. I love this place. Secondary to the fact that they have Malabrigo *test!* yarns, they have an unparalleled retail selection of yarns I've never seen anywhere else before. and oh I'm in love. Please open one in Los Angeles, I implore you. :( read more

IN. HEAVEN. I just started knitting a couple months ago and I am deliriously happy that I live 15 minutes away from this place. SO MUCH YARN TO CHOOSE FROM. So many colors, types, thickness, etc. It's basically two rooms wall-to-wall with yarn. Everybody is super helpful and pretty friendly. I don't have much experience with prices of yarn, but I would assume that it's average priced for SF. I got some good wool for about $5USD in Australia, but I think that's probably because Australia has a crapload of wool. Anyway, I will come back here very often in the near future. I can't stop thinking about knitting, which means I need more yarn. More colorful yarn. More soft yarn. More, more, more! read more

When I first bussed my way here I was a bit worried about the neighborhood... it was already dark and, there was a few blocks of walking involved rather dark and quiet streets. While this place is in Castro, it is a bit away from the buzy booming areas. Having said that, once I see the lights shining out from the windows of this store, I feel that I am in cozy, warm safe haven. Oh and talk about a knitter's treasure cove! Beautiful yarns from floor to ceiling... they also have a very buyer-friendly system where, if you buy too many rolls of yarn and end up not using a few, you can keep their special invoice/receipt and they will buy them back from you! How great is that. I am now living in Sausalito so I am not sure how convenient it is going to be for me to try to come to this store again, but I absolutely loved this store and do recommend it to fellow knitters! read more

Who would think I would be found at a yarn store?!?!?! Well, I thought that doing something absolutely out of my comfort zone would be good for me, and have been thinking about knitting for a while now for different reasons I thought it would be good: develop focus, make adorable - and cheap - gifts for my friends, quiet my mind and extend my skills set. And that's how I ended up at ImagiKnit. Saturday afternoon and my friend wants to stop by a yarn store before brunch. As I had never been at one before, had been thinking about taking up knitting, and was with someone who really knows about it, I thought that would be the perfect time to really explore my new future hobby. This store is absolutely the place for it! ImagiKnit has to be the Heaven for anyone who loves knitting! They have all sorts (and prices) of yarn on shelves that run high up the walls in the whole store! All colors, types, textures - and all prices - you can imagine! They also have a wide array of knitting needles....which I didn't even know existed! Another surprise was that some types of yarn requires you to wind it from a loose hank into a ball. My friend started working on that, but she got distracted for a second and the yarn got out of control. One of the associates came to the rescue, and I was amazed by her patience, knowledge and passion for knitting! She was SO friendly and helpful! After almost 30 min, we got it all good to go and my friend was ready to do some serious knitting! I confess that the trip to ImagiKnit brought me back to planet Earth - knitting takes a lot of work and, as a matter of fact, it isn't that cheap! It's actually pretty expensive! But I will keep it on my list of things I want to do eventually, and hopefully I will soon be one of the habitues of ImagiKnit and will be knitting away for my loved ones!!! :-) read more

Good selection of yarn, but I found service to be a little lacking. It's not that the sales person wasn't nice, but I felt like I was being pushed to buy more than I really wanted. Being a beginning knitter, I didn't want to be pressured to buy things I wasn't sure I needed. I already have a problem with clutter, I don't need to add to it. Anyways, I'd definitely come here to buy yarn, but I'll decline the help next time. read more

I am in love with Imagiknit. I suck at knitting and am not much better at crocheting, and the lovely folks at Imagiknit have never sneered at me when I pushed my toes together and stared at them and said... um... I can only knit and purl"... Oh this is an unfinished review from several years ago, but having lived in two different towns since this review and having gotten so much better at making things out of yarn *and* taking multiple cross country trips where yarn stores were visited like holy museums, I must say that Imagiknit is one of the best. The lighting is amazing, easy to see and natural. The organization is superb, you can easily (with or without help) find what your looking for because it is organized in a simple and efficient manner. And the selection is amazing, they have decent 'workhorse' yarns (like 220 and malabrigo) and then higher end stuff as well. And last but not least, the employees were really, really patient and helpful. The owner can be a little chilly, but I've never seen her be rude to anyone. I dearly, dearly miss Imagiknit!!! read more

I'm a crafter, not a knitter, so when I needed something very specific for a project, I checked the amazing online store that Imagiknit has. The truth is, I don't speak "yarn", so I gave them a call. I explained to the young lady exactly what I needed and what I needed it for. She stayed on the phone with me while another young lady went to the shelves and pulled different yarns that she thought I might like. One by one they referred me to the website to compare each different yarn and then better explain the colors. I wound up choosing 3 skeins in 3 colors, of a gorgeous...and I mean gorgeous angora blend. It was shipped out that same day and I received it, 2300 miles away in just a couple of days. The yarns are way more beautiful in person and perfect for what I need! I spoke to Katelyn and Lizzie, and they were amazing; patient and super helpful to a yarn rookie. I can't wait to visit San Francisco and make a trip to this shop. read more

I like Imagiknit. Many years ago I worked in a yarn store, and I've been in quite a few. I don't expect much in the customer service department, and I don't think I was particularly helpful myself back when I was a yarn store employee. That being said... Finding a store with this kind of selection is rare. Sure, I could shop online, but then I don't get to see the colors live, or touch them, or put different yarns side by side. I've asked the employees a few questions and they've always answered them well and honestly. Plus these people are busy, especially on weekends. This place is a gem. Be thankful for it. read more

This store is beautiful and has an excellent selection, but I will absolutely never shop here again. The store is staffed with helpful and enthusiastic people who are eager to help you find what you need, but once you get to the register it's an entirely different story. The woman who runs the place is extremely rude and condescending, which I was willing to deal with due to the fact that the location is convenient for me. After my most recent experience however, proximity is no longer enough of a motivating factor. I was buying some basic yarn and knitting needles as a gift for a friend of mine who had just broken her leg, and wanted to learn how to knit. I bought the cheapest yarn and needles that were available, (my friend has never knit before, there was no sense in buying her something pricey if I can't even be sure she'll take to it) and the lady acted like I was being a total cheapskate for not buying something nicer. After she rang up the transaction, right as I handed her the cash- I had second thoughts on buying as much yarn as I had (3 skeins) since I wasn't sure what colors she would want. The lady hadn't even put the money in the register yet, but wouldn't let me take some of the yarn off of the transaction, or even exchange them for different colors. I might be reading too much into it, but she seemed gleeful about turning down my request to return some of the yarn. This place is good for what it is, a high-end yarn store- but unless you are prepared to buy very high end yarn, go to discount fabrics or basically anywhere but here because they obviously don't want your business. read more

Lots of yarn--but order online at your own risk. Unlike other LYS who consider the order their responsibility until the customer receives the product, this store considers it the customer's responsibility once the product is shipped. When my order was lost by the USPS, Allison informed me that the problem was between the post office and me. No refund. No replacement product. No apology. Too bad. I purchase a lot of yarn and will no longer trust this retailer to value my business. read more

This place is HUGE!!!!!!! It's got 2 big rooms FULL of yarns from floor to ceiling. There're everything you can ever imagine. So many types of yarn, so many choices, and there are sofas if you need a quick break from looking at all the yarn. Staff is friendly, they don't sell you on yarn and are very helpful when you want answers. There's a good section on discounted yarn in the corner, so make sure you check that out! read more

I love coming here; it's like going to a friend's house. They are really friendly, but I could see how some of the staff could come across as snooty. Everyone has their off days, ladies, so put away your crochet hooks. Those are making things, not taking out eyeballs ;-) Anyways, I took a class here, and I couldn't help but think she was terribly bored by how slow some folks were and how doting she was on others. Oh well, it still was a pleasant experience and I'd like to take another class here again. Oh yah, wall to wall yarn, places to sit, and you are encouraged to pick up a ball and get a feel for it. Lots of design patterns and books to peruse. Parking can be a bear, but hey, it's all worth it for this place. Cheers, Allison for a great store. read more

Great store! Helpful staff! Great selection of yarns and ideas! I really wish people would stop commenting on things being "pricey" if you want cheap yarn go to Walmart! They have beautiful yarn here set up in a way that makes sense and stimulates your creativity. I even got feedback from a staff member on the use of the POS system something I was working on for my own business. Truly community and welcoming experience. Thanks from a traveler from Ecuador. read more

ImagiKnit - Arts & Crafts Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been to many yarn stores, in fact I used to jog to yarn stores when I lived in Berkeley, and run back with the yarn. Everyone was really helpful here. I felt comfortable asking all the questions I had about felting, and the atmosphere was inviting. I'm not sure how it's organized, so maybe next time I will ask them and update here, but I was just browsing. They have rice paper yarn from Japan! I bought some roving for felting and a linen/cotton blend yarn in natural colors for my summer sea-side scarf. read more

In an effort to reduce my clothing expenditure, I thought that learning to knit would offset my sweater or scarf costs (or something similarly delusional). How wrong I was, but how much fun it has been to find out! I recently completed the 4 week Intro to Knitting Class with Sonya, and am now happy to report that I can knit and purl (passably, but not yet perfectly). In addition to classes, I've found the yarn selection at Imagiknit to be AMAZING . They range from reasonable to way more than pricey, but maybe that's my uber ass expensive taste in yarns! I also find the staff to be very helpful, particularly for a beginner like me. Facing a wall of yarn to select from can be intimidating, but they aptly guided me through the process. I'm looking forward to more classes and more yarn purchases! :-) read more

After traveling to yarn stores far and wide, this ranks up there in the top 5. Always lots of people working there so you can easily find someone to answer your questions. They all are knowledgeable, helpful and kind. The selection is impressive. And they have a big sale area. Otherwise things are pricey, but I rarely see a reason to stray from the sale wall. They have a ball winder available for you to wind your own yarn, but they don't do it for you. They even let me wind some yarn I had gotten elsewhere one day. I can't imagine any other store that would let me do that. The downside is that it is just not a fun place to hang out. I go there often to buy yarn but would never think of just sitting there and knitting. A good yarn store should always have a gaggle of knitters working away in some corner. read more

Oh, how I love this store. I realize that I am biased because A) I learned how to knit in one of their classes and B) the shop is just a block away from my house (hello, convenience - goodbye, money!), but after having been to a few other San Francisco knitting stores I know why Imagiknit is the one I keep going back to. Here's why : The Staff: AWESOME! Patient, knowledgeable, friendly and a great help to beginners. Everyone I have ever encountered working there has always been pleasant (including the owner). Amy and Dee are especially nice and helpful, as are Kurt and Jenn. They are always available to answer questions, make suggestions and even help you out with a project ( believe me, I've brought back many a hat/ scarf/ whatever with what I'm sure has been a dumb question, and they have always had time to show me how to fix it ). Also, unlike some other yarn stores where there is one employee for the whole store, there are always at least three people working here - one stays behind the counter to ring people up and the other two are on the floor helping customers. Selection : Huge, varied and extremely well organized. You can find all the beautiful wool, silk, cotton and other fibers you have ever wanted in their two big rooms of yarn, which are stocked in order by yarn weight (sport, bulky, etc.) The prices are comparable to most other yarn stores and they have some great sales. There is a large selection of books and magazines, as well as an impressive collection of binders full of patterns for just about anything you could conceive of making. The only thing they are lacking is much of a selection of the much cheaper, mostly 100% acrylic yarns, but that's why God made Joann Fabrics and Michael's. Classes / Lessons : I have taken three classes here and found them to be helpful and informative. Amy was the instructor for two of them, and she is patient and doesn't make you feel stupid for making a mistake. The class sizes are on the small side ( the "Hats" class I was in had the most students, about eight) and there is time to ask questions and receive individual help. As far as lessons go, there are two choices. If you have a favorite staff member you can request them ( ie. "I'd like to have a lesson with Dee where we do nothing but make buttonholes for 60 minutes"), or you just tell them what you want to work on ( ie. "I want to learn to do cables") and then they will hook you up with the staff person who is best at the skill you want to learn. I have had one lesson so far and it was totally worth the $, as you have the whole time to work on exactly what you want. They also offer semi-private lessons, where you can come in with a friend for a lesser charge. Lastly, if the owner is working you will probably catch a glimpse of her whippet, George, snoozing in his bed under the cash register. I am a total sucker for any kind of establishment with a resident dog, especially one who has his likeness in crochet (!) displayed in the store's window. read more

"Oh, my girlfriend Karolyn and I love us some knittin'. We took a knitting class there and it was all sorts of fun. It could have been that we always met for cocktails beforehand, but honestly it was a good group. Our second class was crochet and, well, that didn't work for us. The teacher was about as friendly as sitting on cactus. Didn't learn much that time. The shop in general is lovely and they have everything you need to fulfill your knitting project fantasy. While it will cost you, the staff is also there to help you with any questions you may have. Despite my bummer of a crochet class, I still give them five stars." read more

You know that commercial for Frye's where the man and woman walk in to the store, and the guy giggles like a girl and runs off in excitement? That's how I feel about this store. Hands down the best yarn store in the Bay Area. *Warning* You have to be very focused or you will walk in, stay hours, and walk out having spent the next 5 paychecks. read more

I've been to imagiknit twice and the service was amazing. When I first walked in, I was totally overwhelmed but the staff was helpful and patient as I explained that I needed to pick out seven colors of the same type of yarn to make a doctor who scarf (see doctorwhoscarf.com for details...really.) I wish they had more than one ball-making spinning wheel thing in the back. And I also wish their hours were just a wee bit later during the week because it is difficult for me to get there in time after work. Otherwise, it is a great place to buy all your knitting supplies! Note: Be careful with that ball spinning wheel thing. If you go too quickly, the ball comes off and goes flying across the room. read more

Sure SF's got museums and sights but if you got a Midwest-Mom coming to visit, this is the place to take her. I think I scored bonus points with this place after I lost her for about 2 hours. I'm not sure what it was but I'm guessing wall-to-wall yarn (unique and custom yarn that's apparently not readily available at your local Jo-Anns... or so I was told) may have been brain overload for her. So for the guy touring their knitting-fatuated Mom around, this place is definitely worthy of "tourist attraction" status. My usual routine is to stop into Unionmade (to see what I can't afford) and then sit down at Samovar to kill time. NOTE: On one of our visits, my tuckered out Mom decided to join me at Samovar for a drink and before I knew what was going on, her mouth hit the floor with utmost fear and disgust. I guess it's welcome to SF, and more specifically the Castro, when 3 old dudes walked down the block naked. Priceless. read more

Began crocheting about a year ago (this is after my poor grandmother tried to teach me how to knit on countless occasions!) and after making some basic projects with good old Michael's acrylic, I decided to upgrade my stash. What I will say is, come to this store with a plan. My first time, I walked in wanting a certain weight, and walked out $200 poorer with a ton of yarn and no patterns. I still have a lot of that yarn, unused in my trunk (it's all beautiful but I wasn't thinking clearly!) So have an idea, or a list when you arrive otherwise it'll be an overwhelming experience! Beautiful store and outstanding collection to choose from. The staff is always very friendly and helpful, and there's usually someone to chat with about a project or if you need help with something. Even couches and cozy chairs to plop down in and work on a project! I recently moved to the other side of the city, but am planning a venture back to the Castro and ImagiKnit! read more

This is a small-ish yarn shop where there is a lot to see at the entrance but it's a tight fit with people coming in and out. But move further into the shop and you will have plenty of browsing room. There's a maddeningly huge selection of yarn here ranging in price from inexpensive to "wow that is ridiconkulously expensive". In the back of the second room there's room to sit at a table and peruse the well-stocked library of books on knitting, crocheting, including what seems like copies of every pattern book/pamphlet/catalogue that was ever written. They offer knitting classes and if you have questions about a project they take the time to help you. While the some of the staff acts a bit aloof, the others make up for it, making ImagiKnit worthy of a visit. read more

I have been to many knitting stores, but Imagiknit is one of the few where employees are both friendly and super helpful. My sister and I came in on a Saturday afternoon and Anya helped us undo our snafu of a knitting project as well as pick out some yummy yarn. Highly recommend this place! http://instagram.com/p/a47qnrGU_O/ read more

Found this place on a whim as it is in the same hood as my fave ice cream place--Bi Rite Creamery! Upon entry I heard angels sing and I had to blink again to make sure I truly saw the miracle that lay in front of me...yarn yarn yarn galore... Friendly service customized to my needs? - Check! Beyond overabundance of yarn? - Check! Reasonable options for various price ranges? - Check! Tons of other cool stuff in another adjacent room that I didn't have time to check out? - Check! Reasons to comeback...plenty! Thanks for the great service in helping me find the right yarn for my kids's hats...you can't get that service at Michael's or Joann Fabrics, so I am glad that there is still a population who believe in keeping a rare store like this alive! read more

So, I got hit with a huge dose of reality when I moved to San Francisco: Michael's isn't allowed. Okay, Okay. I get it. We want "fancy" yarn. "Nice" yarn. This also means "expensive" yarn...and, damnit, I'm cheap. Pearl downtown sucks for yarn. It's picked-over and over-priced for what it is. That tiny shop on Upper Haight has pretty much nothing. Art Fibers downtown is WAY out of my price range. Imagiknit is just right. AND THEY CARRY FIBER FOR SPINNING!!!! Seriously, they are my go-to source for all things knitting. Extensive pattern selection and two rooms stuffed to the gills with yarn. They also have a WONDERFUL clearance section for all of you stash addicts. And the prices are decent. It's no Michael's, but it's the best place in the city for a lower-middle-class knitter like myself. The staff is helpful, too. They've always assisted me with subbing yarns and the like. read more

Dear Imagiknit, You have given me everything a knitter asked for. When I decided I wanted to learn how to knit socks, you introduced me to Dream in Color Smooshy, and my yarn stash hasn't been the same since. When I ran out of Rowan Cotton Glace to finish my cardigan, there you were to save my sweater from incompleteness. So many times I have tried to leave you. You have stolen my heart and my hard-earned paychecks. But as soon as I say "No more!", you beg and plead for me to come back, dangling a new skein of hand-dyed sock yarn in front of my face, and my knees go weak once again. Imagiknit, you were my first knitting love. I will always be there to haunt your walls of lace and sock yarns. I will continue to dig through your inviting baskets of Fleece Artist and Handmaiden. Imagiknit, you complete my fiber-loving soul. With love, Leigh read more

LOVE THIS PLACE! However, there is one problem: I always spend too much money here because everything is amazing! The staff is always uber helpful. They are knitters themselves and I have a feeling they're all quite passionate about the craft. The owner staffs adequately for weekends as the store is usually crawling with people Saturdays and Sundays, but they're never shy of help. What more can I say? They have an abundance of yarn spanning different price ranges. As well, they have accessories, many patterns, and helpful courteous staff. I'm in love! In addition, they have one of the most well designed, intuitive Websites I've ever seen. I'm a third generation knitter. When my mom was in town visiting, I brought her down here. She LOVED it too. read more

Oh, yes... I'd love to roll around in the yarns they sell there. I think I go to Imagiknit at least once a week, just to check out the stuff they've got. Yes, I do end up leaving with at least two skeins of yarn that I don't need or know what to do with, but who cares? I love it... The people that work there are super nice and extremely helpful. They know just what you need if you tell them what you want to make. Oh, and all of the hand knits they have there on sale and as samples are just super fun to look at. When I go in there, I wish I could just get everything! The selection of yarns there is just amazing... read more

Walking into ImagiKnit, I knew why this place belonged in the Castro, because I gay-gasped so hard when I saw all this space filled floor to ceiling with yarn, plus an Italian greyhound! Plus lovely couches! Plus my boyfriend patiently waiting! Yarn-gasm. Lots of choices, all in the unique and premium end of yarns. I bought my first Zauberball! And some lovely organic cotton. I would have stayed much longer if I could have. read more

I'm addicted, hooked, knit... This is my store for all my knitting needs. The friendly service and wild and massive selection of yarns will tickle you pink. It tickled me a few other colors than pink. :) I love that they have helped me start many projects and helped me fix many problems or mistakes. A very friendly store for beginners. I love imagiknit for everything they offer. read more