I'm going to say it out loud and proud: I like knitting, crocheting and all other activities where…read moreyou have to manipulate yarn into a -hopefully- pretty shape. Phew...feels like I just came out for the second time! In fact, back when I was a kind, my Mom taught me all different kinds of needlework: I knitted a scarf, I crocheted a couple pot holders, I knotted a small rug, sewed a pillow case and I even embroidered a few handkerchiefs for my grandmother. Admittedly, I haven't done any sort of needlework since I was that little kid, but a few weeks ago I was doing a friendship bracelets for my little niece and the steady - almost meditative - rhythm of laying the threads one over another, reminded me again of all these evenings that I spent with my Mom...and so I was hooked again. I was hooked almost literally: I dug out my crochet hook...but like a junkie who possesses a spoon but no heroin, I was now in desperate need of some sort of yarn. Given that it was Sunday, not all haberdashery shops are open, but Yelp pointed me in the direction of the next available "dealer": Knit With Attitude (fabulous name, by the way). And so, through the rain, I ventured over to Stoke Newington to get my next fix: pure 100% cotton yarn! Knit With Attitude is a small and cute shop on Stoke Newington High Street (not far away from the lovely independent Stoke Newington Bookshop). What stands out right away is the counter that is covered with crocheted granny squares. (Reminds me of the guerilla knitting where people decorate lampposts or trees with a colourful skirt.) The front of the shop offers yarns and other knitting supplies, while in the back there seems to be a room where people can actually get together and do some work. (I had a quick glance at their website and it looks like they do offer workshops and courses of all sorts - mental bookmark!) In any case, I found my desperately-needed yarn and I'm now in the process of crocheting my very own beanie hat.

Honestly, I'm torn over this review…read more The people were friendly and very helpful. Shop is quaint and adorable. I would give the shop itself 5*'s as friendliness and London don't always go together. However, for people not from the area, be warned that the shop is in a not great section of town. I stepped out of the shop and walked to the street crossing to the left and was mugged. Two persons on a motorbike ran the bike onto the sidewalk nearly running me over and while I attempted to jump out of the way they snatched the phone out of my hands. Talking to the police after the incident and a couple who stopped to help, they informed me that I wasn't in the safest area. As a tourist I am vigilant but I was still accosted. If you go to Knit with Attitude just be aware of your surroundings. I hope my review will help someone else who isn't aware.

Ultimate Craft is great as you will find here anything that you might need for your handicraft…read moreprojects: from simple glue, to stationary, knitting supplies, yarn, beads...seriously anything. What I like about Ultimate Craft is that they offer solid and good quality goods without charging premium prices. By no means, is this a place where they are trying to compete with the yuppie/hipster places on nearby Stoke Newington Church Street. I love coming here as I know that they carry what I need for my current handicraft project.

I feel torn about this place. As I am such a regular client it doesn't feel right to mark it with…read morejust 3 stars and yet the high prices and mediocre service do not encourage me to add a 4th. You can find a whole load of crafts supplies in this shop; it's the ideal place for kiddies supplies or costume materials if you live in Stoke Newington. However if you are willing to shop outside of this area you're better off going to a cheaper store as prices really are very high for low to standard quality supplies. Having said that, my work involves a lot of crafty projects and because I don't have time to source elsewhere I buy from here on a monthly basis. Unfortunately the staff are not interested in looking after their loyal clients and would not even consider a discount when I was buying hundreds of pounds worth of materials. I also had issues with dirty fabric I was told would be fine after a wash... Again, not a commercial effort in sight. In a nutshell, this shop has a wide range of products but is expensive and offers poor customer service.

UNRESPONSIVE and totally BOGUS - Visiting from another country and was super excited to purchase…read moreyarn and a kit! Called, left a voicemail and emailed over 3 days to confirm store was open before I made the 1 hour trek from our hotel. No response. Soo frustrating and sad! Why have a business? Why make a potential customer have to work soo hard to see if you're even open? Found another yarn store (BK) that answered their phone, confirmed their hours and appreciated my business! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THIS PLACE!

There selection was fantastic. I was specifically looking for mohair and patterns. I found both in…read moreabundance!

Been to the shop a few times. Every time i meet knowledgeable friendly staff who genuinely engage…read moreand give great advice and help. its a great space too - Im not a 'social knitter' but it has a lovely welcoming space for those who are. When I was there today there was a group of school children there for a workshop. Lovely vibes - great local shop

Lovely knitting shop with beautiful wools and helpful staff. Also has a cosy space at the back to…read moresit and knit with others who may be able to calm you when you drop a stitch or can't understand the pattern!

So it isn't very often that I would require something from a shop like Fabrications, but yesterday…read moreI did. I was sent on a mission to get some cotton thread, luckily I stumbled across this place. I was greeted by a nice lady who apologised straight away for the messy state of the shop, something I was oblivious to as I thought everything looked in order. There is definitely a charm that this shop possesses. There is an interesting mix of products but I guess it is all fabric related, hence the name. There is also a gallery space that you can hire out for solo or group art shows. Anyway, my trip to Fabrications was a success as I found the exact colours I was sent to get. Out of all the places I went to that sell fabric, thread, wool etc. I found this to be the best, and by far the most delightful. I guess that's Broadway Market for you.

Fabrications is a great little find on Broadway Market. Now, I'm not exactly the most crafty…read moreperson, but if you are, you'll love this place. The wool in here is pretty, and everything in here kinda makes me want to take up knitting. The owner is really helpful and friendly, and it's just a really nice place to come and visit. They've got loads of unusual crafts in here like French kitting wheels and giant knitting needles. And enough craft kits for you to make your own things when you leave! Everything is well priced, and you'll find any kind of gift for just about any kind of person. I had my eye on a knitted giraffe last time I popped in to say hi. The hanemade items are gorgeous, and I'm sure if I was more crafty, I'd give this place five stars. It's a great little venue, on a lovely, somewhat undiscovered street. Come here quick before Broadway Market gets as trendy as Columbia Road. It's fab.

Brilliant and inspiring craft workshops for kids. So far our 4 year old has learned sewing,…read moreprinting, picture framing.. And loves to use what she learned at home

From the owner: Craft workshops for children 3+ and adults. From Screen…read moreprinting - finger knitting. Get ready for some finger & thumb action.

This sweet little shop in Stoke Newington has a great selection of gift idea's, ribbon's and…read morewrapping paper. Almost everything has been designed by the shop owner's themselves so you can expect to find a lot of original and unique item's. Personally my favourite item has to be the mugs printed with 'I LOVE STOKEY' which I think would make a great present for anyone in the who lives in the area. It's important to point out that this shop isn't all about novelty and stocking fillers. Most the cards and wrapping paper are stylishly understated and there is a large selection of posh toiletries and candles too. Though it might be a bit expensive for me to buy my wrapping paper from Early Bird every time there is a birthday on the horizon, I would definitely recommend it for the occasional special gift.

It wasn't until I went on their website that I realised that the people behind Earlybird not only…read moresell their wares, but also design all those wares themselves. (well, not everything, but a lot of the bits in the shop) They sell their own designs- brightly-coloured illustrations and repeated patterns of butterflies, birds, dinosaurs and animals- on occasion cards, blank cards and wrapping paper. There are a number of fun gifts such as 'I love Stokey Mugs' and novelty moustaches as well as more sensible presents such as moleskin notebooks. The two men who work there are lovely and very funny- they spent the half an hour I was in there arguing about Doctor John and who should do the washing up that had been there for three days. Far nicer than Paperchase.

Very nicely organized and, of course, all the fibers are beautiful but service is definitely…read morelacking. I browsed here for a LOooonggg time and was never acknowledged except for when I approached the table to pay for my items - I guess someone had to talk to me then! There were only two other customers in the entire shop while I was there and I only heard the two employees talking between themselves. In fact, they turned out the lights at one point without any explanation, then turned them back on when I popped my head out of an aisle to see what was going on. Lots of weaving supplies, of course, plus felting supplies, spinning fibers and equipment, and books. Interesting novelty yarns and blends. Probably not enough quantity of knitting yarn for knitters to be satisfied. Pricey!

In as much as my initial visit here left me feeling a bit *meh*, my return visit left me feeling…read moremuch the opposite. I try to give places the benefit of the doubt and not give up after one failed experience, so I'm glad I went back. Service this time was 5 stars. Both the ladies who helped me were kind and friendly. The one in particular who helped sort me out with a new drop spindle was really lovely. She wasn't at all snooty about me being new to spinning and helped me make a good choice about what to come home with. We had a nice chat about crafting things and wool-related goodness. Kindred spirits exist! Maybe my initial experience was with the less-than-great apple of the staff barrel? I dunno, but I'm happy that this place has been redeemed in my eyes as it really is full of great resources for weaving and spinning and the like.

The Crafts Council is the national development agency for contemporary crafts in the UK, If you're…read moreinto all things hand crafted then its worth checking out what events they have running in London and across the country - visit their website to find out. They support everything from fashion to crochet to ceramics and usually have an interesting exhibition running at their Pentonville Road headquarters, very close to Angel tube. Unfortunately they no longer have a shop, but pieces in the exhibitions are often for sale.

The last exhibition i saw here was on knitting. One artist had knitted a whole domestic scene;…read morehoover, chairs, table all included.... for someone who can barely hold a pair of knitting needles this was very impressive. The permanent upstairs collection was also interesting. Def. worth a visit.

Don't go there if you are looking for choice and expertise regarding curtains. They have no clue…read moreabout curtain hooks, gliders etc. and do not sell any. The store looked empty.