I've been needlepointing (and previously cross stitching) for quite awhile. I'm finally branching out to use nicer threads for my needlepoint canvases that I have been purchasing on my travels. NIAM is in my town and they have a a huge range of of silk, wool and other fibers to bring life to your canvases. Needlepoint is such a hot granny craft now. And there are so many canvases to choose from online and in my travels. But I like to supplement my current threads locally. They take orders online too. So call or email them for your order if you cannot come in person. read more

Wonderful little store full of everything you could need for fiber arts and needle crafts. They placed an order for me for a K's Creations lap stand, helped me when the wrong item arrived, and showed me how to put it together when the right one did. Really appreciate the service. read more

The good: 1. Decent selection. 2. Helpful staff when making purchase selections. 3. Good finishing work quality. The bad: 1. No full disclosure on "store credit only" return policy. 2. The pandemic is over, and yet the store remains open by appointment only. This seems to be more for staff convenience over customer convenience. It was never a hotbed of activity, nor a super-spreader location..... so why it's no longer generally open is a mystery. The ugly & the reason I will never be back: 1. It took 4 months to get back my finished small holiday ornament. 2. The quote I got for the finishing work was in the range of $50. When I picked it up today, I was charged $90. Almost double. I never received a call to tell me they misquoted, with an option to cancel my order. They simply billed my credit card on file. I was shocked when I was handed my receipt, and when I expressed that, the staff member "informed" me that I must have been quoted old rates. Huh? A classic bait & switch. An unethical business practice that should be illegal if it's not. So...... buyer beware! read more

This is, even post-pandemic, still a by-appointment-only business, so, not all that convenient I would not say that they are a particularly personable group of people, but there's a lot of what one needs to manage doing embroidery. read more

This store is a good resource for silk and cotton flosses for embroidery and counted thread work, as well as for tapestry wool for needlepoint. They also have a good color selection of DMC perle cotton. However, if you are looking for cotton cordonnet, DMC Cebelia (mercerized, tightly-plied, workable cotton), plied linen thread, extra-fine tatting cotton, or Tire filament silk, make a visit to Lacis on Adeline Street in Berkeley. Lacis also carries DMC perle cotton (spelled correctly), a wide selection of embroidery flosses, has a large reference collection of lace and needlework, and knowledgable sales staff. Overall, Needle in a Haystack is no longer worth the drive to me. read more

I picked up cross stitching during this quarantine and found out that Alameda has a needle supply store so I was so excited to support a small business. I liked that I was able to correspond with the owner Cathe via email but the order took months (understandably due to Covid) but that doesn't excuse putting together an order with items that we didn't agree on and being rude to me when I arrived at your store for curbside pickup. Literally I went through my emails and we had a whole conversation about hoops and she said "Great. I'll take the hoop off the order" and then I'm given one and of course it was one of the more expensive items. I kept everything anyway since I'll never shop there again. I've read other reviews that she isn't friendly but jeez - you think with businesses struggling to stay open people would try to be nice to other human beings. The only reason I didn't give this place a 1 is because I am looking forward to using the items that I did order. I would shop locally at The Black Squirrel in Berkeley instead or going online for faster/friendlier service for cross stitch supplies including LoveCrafts, Everything Cross Stitch, Joanns or even Michaels. read more

The collection of gorgeous wools, silks, and hand-dyed cottons for needlework is so overwhelming I almost didn't notice that they had a huge selection of the good ol' DMC cotton. The staff was content to leave me in peace to browse, and were friendly and helpful when I had questions. I love that we have these high-end products available in a brick-and-mortar shop, and I'll definitely be back! read more

An amazing resource where one can look at and fondle so many types of threads, fabrics, needlework beads, etc! Has everything for beginners to advanced, but definitely the place to go once you're ready for the next step in fabrics, materials, and techniques. There's only so much one can do online, and I'm grateful for real bricks-and-mortar companies where one can actually see and feel the materials. I personally found the service extremely friendly; they answered all the questions my going-back-to-needlecrafts self had after 15 years away. Every single one. I was there for two hours, choosing colors of silk thread for a new project (yes, I"m going to go off-trail and modify a pattern with colors I prefer!) and whenever a question came to me, they answered it! So don't know about the previous reviewer, maybe she met someone else? Anyway, I find the place an inspiration, might even design something next. Found the prices reasonable, but I was looking at linen and silk, which ain't cheap, no matter where. The place is in an office park, so you do have to wander the first time you look for it. read more

I won't buy needlepoint supplies here anymore. I had terrible experiences here. To begin with, the owner and staff seem to take some delight in making me feel stupid when I went in to buy supplies. First of all, I asked for "yarn" for a needlepoint project. I was "reprimanded" and informed it is called "tapestry wool". The clerk acted as if I were asking for a carburetor for a 1957 Rambler. She acted confused when I asked for "yarn". What else could I have been asking for in a needlepoint shop? Another time I was corrected on my pronunciation of the term "Bargello". Again, the tone was condescending, and, in reality, who cares? I don't spend hundreds of dollars just to be made to feel stupid. In terms of getting colors not in stock, they make a minimal effort for me. They also don't call to let you know the colors have arrived. Once, they took down my number incorrectly, and when I went in, I was reprimanded and told they immediately sent it back. They had my email, and if they cared, I would have been contacted. I wanted a project framed. Needle in a Haystack doesn't have contacts who frame. However, I found out that Michael's Craft Shop specializes in framing all needlework. I was not referred to Michael's or anywhere. Again, no effort made. This is odd since there is a Michael's in Alameda. It took me a while to realize why I was treated this way. I am the kind of customer they don't want in their shop; I am a gay male. How many straight men do needlepoint? Probably not many. Anyway, I found an online resource, "The Needlepoint Joint" in Ogden Utah. When you call, they can't help you enough. They offer suggestions and get you your supplies within a few days. They were the ones who suggested Michael's for framing, and, if there wasn't a Michael's near me, they had other craft store recommendations. I guess if you're a straight female, you get treated better at this shop. But I don't want to spend money at a store where homophobia is allowed nor where I am made to feel stupid because of my use of needlepoint terms. read more

My friend introduced me to this shop and cross stitching. I found their staff to be very friendly and helpful. They have a lot of different flosses and fabrics and will even serge your cut fabric for you. Some items are a little on the higher side compared to internet prices but it's a small local business that can't swing the margins of a big box store or an internet only business. I like to buy my "specialty" items like hand dyed flosses and fabrics here and get common DMC at Michael's or JoAnn's. You really can't beat shopping and color matching in person so it's fantastic to have a specialty shop like this in the bay area. read more

I have been Needle pointing for about ten years. since there is a minimum supply stores in the area, I went to NIAHS. The store have a vast amount of supplies, and many patterns to choose from. That being said, I have problems that have kept me away from the store due to the rude personalities that run the place. The owner needs some brushing up on manners and not being abrupt with her clients. Some people don't mind, but I've found her hyper critical and " this is all you want", as if I'm wasting her time. Due to several interactions I've had with the owner, I'm really hoping another store will open soon, as I find it hard to contact them or ask any questions ( phone call) due to her attitude and "wasting her time". Not my cup of tea. read more

When I finally found this place, I found this store to be very expensive .The staff were very unfriendly to say the least. Smarmy and just not very nice. They're selection of threads and wool was good, but I wasn't impressed by the patterns they had available, and very high prices. But mostly it was how rude and unfriendly the person who was (not) helping me that turned me against them. I won't be going back. read more

BUYER BEWARE! I ordered 6 packages of an item advertised as 5 yards/package, expecting 30 yards to arrive. When it finally arrived, each package only contained 3 yards. Thats 12 yards less than what I ordered and paid for. The shop owner is refusing to send me the full 30 yards tgat I bought, saying the supplier changed the package size but the price remains the same, and they're a small company so they can't afford to send me the rest of what I paid for. My confirmation email clearly shows that I bought six packages with 5 yards in each. This is illegal, and false advertising. I understand if the supplier made the change, but I purchased 30 yards in good faith and the shop owner has only sent me 18 yards, and refuses to send me the remaining 12 yards. They're withholding about 40% of my order, which I paid for. How is this honest?? How is this legal?? (It isn't!) read more

Until the past year or so, had drifted into knitting, and out of stitching. Had last been in NiaH when they were in the much larger shop on Webster. I'm not sure what the fuss is about this shop. Must be their amazing selection of fibers. Grateful that they had acid-free tissue paper in stock. Supplies of instructional books, and for goldwork, are pitifully limited. The two employees today were very sweet, and helpful. They are the heart of the shop. The owner is clearly all about making sales, only. In an hour-plus, overheard her being breathtakingly rude to three customers on the phone. And she was abrupt with me. Deities forbid that she have any enthusiasm for or interest in actually assisting customers with their projects! When I was being rung up, the sweet young Asian woman who genuinely helped me laughed a bit when it turned out that I was in their system, after all. But had last been in the shop in 2003. Wow. 15 years ago! I'm now an avid stitcher, and unless the owner sells to someone kinder, manages to graduate from charm school, or stays hidden under a bridge somewhere far away from her customers, I figure a visit in another 15 years or so will be soon enough. If this shop lasts that long. And if it does, it'll be because of her lovely staff! I'll be going back to Lacis. And ordering online. Sad, as I was really hoping to support a local brick-and-mortar shop. But it will not be this one. read more

Truly great customer service for an online order I placed recently. Thanks to the staff for the amazingly fast response, especially Cathe. I hope to visit the shop in person soon! read more

I love this store!!! I have not been to the new site but plan on going really soon. It's the last place where an avid cross stitcher can find patterns and threads that are over the top. The staff is well informed and very helpful each time I have been there to spend time shopping. This place has the best fabric selection I have ever seen. Makes me wish for a yard of each lol. But the best is the stitching tools and patterns. My favorite tapestry needles are sold in bulk!!!! Thank you for staying business even if your are a bit far for me it's an adventure once I arrive and I love it read more

This is a lovely store in a little out of the way spot. It is well stocked with all the cross stitch needs you may have. The staff will help if you need it but you can also poke around to your heart's content. I whole heartedly recommend a stop when you're in the SF Bay Area. read more

I've been shopping at this store since they were on Park Street. The new store is OK - tiny, but stuffed full of all kinds of goodies. I'm not in the store itself very often any more, as I have an overwhelming stash that will last through this lifetime and the next, but I know they are as near as the phone and my mailbox, and they have never failed me. Their suppliers, maybe, but not the shop. This is a place for serious needleworkers, and the prices reflect that. Many of the supplies are produced by artisans in small amounts; hand - dyed fabrics and fibers, hand - made tools, imports from manufacturers that have been supplying products for needle artists for over 100 years. Economies of scale have no place here. If you want that, go to Michaels or JoAnnes. This is the place to go if one is making something for the next generation, and the one after that. This is the place for supplies for the project that's going to take 15 months, not 15 minutes. And BTW, they aren't as expensive as a couple of other stores in the interior Bay Area.... No one has ever been rude to me here. Having a bad day, maybe, but I haven't been at my best a few times when I've had to park at the Park Street store or on Webster. read more

My daughter and I have not been able to find any embroidery shops near WC so we made the effort to drive to Alameda to check out this place. The shop is tucked away in an office park and since it doesn't really look like a retail establishment, I called on my cellphone from the car to make sure we were in the right place. The person who answered the phone (unfortunately I didn't get a name) was quite rude. She pointed out to me that they had been in business for 18 years (we didn't ask) and was so abrupt that we decided not to patronize the shop. I'll continue my search for a friendly embroidery shop or just shop online. read more