New York Plantings Garden Design

I was initially thrilled to find a yarn store only a few blocks from my new apt. I recently moved to NYC for a couple years & was looking forward to making knitty friends in my neighborhood. The first time I walked in I was happy to note that there was lots of space to move around & several tables set up. Everything went downhill from there. The staff scowled at me when I walked in - apparently I was interrupting them. I asked about hours, which was apparently an offensive question; received a curt response & the person's back. Well, we can all have a bad day.... Given how close the store is I decided to give it a 2nd chance. I went in on a Sunday afternoon. There were 3-4 people knitting at individual tables with ""DO NOT LOOK AT ME OR TALK TO ME"" tatooed on their faces. The staff (2) didn't bother to get up or greet me when I came in or the entire 30 min I was in the store. I looked around & found the selection of fibers & colors to be very limited. Actually, they had far less yarn than I've seen in stores with 1/2 the sq. ft. The prices were shockingly high in my opinion. Their ""sale"" bin was pathetic. I picked up some stitch markers I needed & went to pay. That was the first time staff acknowledged I existed. They were bland, disinterested, unsmiling. They weren't rude but they certainly didn't make me feel welcome either. I don't plan to ever go back in there. I travel to UWS or Murray Hill to wonderful stores located in those areas rather than this shop in my neighborhood - sad. Unless you have a masochistic streak I'd recommend you skip this place. Pros: large space, roomy Cons: non-existent customer service, poor selection, very expensive more

I've been knitting for awhile and shopped at a number of yarn shops, big and small. I was glad to find Knit NY because it's convenient and accessible. The yarns are really beautiful with a great selection, but really only if you have the pocketbook to support your habit. While I haven't run into problems with staff (mostly), I've found the same label high-end yarns elsewhere for as much as $2 - $3 dollarls cheaper. As for notions, etc., I have been told a few times that the store won't stock certain sizes and kinds of needles (metal?) because ""the owner doesn't like them."" Bamboo's lovely, except they break when knitting socks. I was also in there once when there was a medical emergency with one of the other customers who had passed out and was lying on the floor (conscious by then) waiting for EMS to arrive. The sales woman was very concerned and trying to help, but in the middle of this scene, the manager wandered in, took a look as she swept by and without even pausing to ask what was happening, went into the back somewhere and didn't come out again until after the EMS had come and the customer was gone. Pretty yarn but don't expect consistent (humane?) customer service? Pros: pretty yarn Cons: little concern about customer needs more

I have read the reviews here - both good and bad - and all of them are plausible to me. I have gone to this place and interacted with friendly, cheerful and helpful staff. I have also come there and interacted with sullen, unfriendly, impatient staff. (One of my ""favorites"" would refer to customers in the third person while they were standing right next to her. I don't think she's there anymore.)\r \r As a result it's a crapshoot for me. I'll come if there's a sale (and their sales are very good) knowing that I may have to deal with some real pieces of work. I have gotten consistently a much more pleasant reception at other knitting stores in the city. Pros: some staff treat you with respect; good sales Cons: some staff treat you like dirt more

I have been knitting for a little over a year now, which makes me somewhat of a beginner. The only way that I have advanced so quickly (from simple scarves to lacing and a whole sweater) in less than 14 months is because of the incredible level of service I have received from this store. I have often met friends here to teach them how to knit, and there are times that the owner and manager herself come and sit with us to aid the neophytes completely free of charge, and whether or not we bought the yarn there. I came on here to write a review, and in doing so, have seen the negative comments that a few have made, and may I say that I am absolutely appalled? I have been to Knit a million times, and have rec'd nothing but warm and wonderful treatment from their staff, manager and owner. I am very sorry to hear that some people may have have not liked the store, but to go online and offer nothing but negative bashing is immature. As far as I am concerned, this store teaches a skill, that without their help, one would otherwise be lost. No one I know has ever had anything but experienced and invaluable help. I have also noticed that some of the comments seem to have been made by inexperienced knitters. How about this guys? Why don't you build a little experience and repertoire before bashing such an amazing place? more

I've been to Knit New York several times to meet up with friends. It's pretty convenient given it's proximity to Union Sq and they have great hours. It has a nice variety of yarns which are pricey but some things are on sale. The price of needles are a bit ridiculous. Needles that are $5 at Pearl Paint are $11 at this place. It's a nice trendy spot to grab a coffee and knit but I think they must be doing something to the nice salespeople because they keep disappearing. There were a few girls that were really nice and helpful but they aren't there anymore. I've had encounters with the manager and owner and they aren't the most professional. They dress like they've just rolled out of bed and they would ridicule or reprimand the sales girls in front of customers. They really don't seem interested in helping people at all, and even talk badly about customers after they leave. The place isn't that big, you can hear everything. \r \r If they keep driving away the good people and all that's left is those two to deal with, then I won't be going there much anymore. Whatever they are doing wrong, they need to get their act together. Pros: good yarn selection, convenient location Cons: poor management with bad attitudes more

The minute I walked into this store I knew it was my new favorite hangout. The vibe is completely casual, with great organic coffees and teas, doughnuts from the Doughnut Planet, bagels, pastries, and chocolates. The yarn and pattern selection is fabulous with all sorts of odds and ends to make your project unique. The salespersons are very helpful and answer your questions as best they can. I love this place! Pros: great hours, good yarn selection Cons: crowded weekends more

If you knit and like a nice friendly atmosphere KnitNY is the place for you. Their great selection of exquisite yarns and their to die for organic coffee is all you need to feel right at home. It's nice to see young people taking the reigns of the knitting world. The staff is nice and friendly and go out of their way to help you. The pastries are good and it's nice to know that if I have a knitting emergency at seven o clock in the evening on a sunday night i know I can run over there and there they are! They are encouraging and helped me move from simple scarves to sweaters... they are great... Pros: great yarn, good coffee, nice staff Cons: small bathroom more

My recent visit to Knit New York was truly wonderful. I bought yarn to finish my project, got my questions answered, and got a round of applause from the sweet staff and customers at the finished results. more

I just took a class at Knit NY and I was very very impressed. Not only is the staff helpful, friendly and knowledgable , but they are young and fun. The instructor for the 101 class was so sweet and intentive and not at all snotty. She was very patient and never once made anyone in the class feel as if they were too slow or not doing well. She only had praise and encouragment. I was very happy with how the staff treated me. The staff was Very chatty and showing us things they made and happily answering any questions we had. I would highly recommend this place to new as well as experienced knitters. The place is small.. but it's more cozy then cramped. The yarns are to die for! I will defintely be going back for another class. Thanks Knit NY!! Pros: Friendly staff, beautiful yarns, great classes Cons: small seating area. more

Knit NY is my favorite NYC yarn shop just to hang out in. As far as sitting and knitting, its far less cramped than other popular hang outs. The coffee is good, the yarn selection is quite good (they have all my favorites), and the prices are reasonable. The only drawback to this place is the owner. She's curt and treats you like you are bothering her if you ask questions. The rest of the staff is friendly and helpful and the hours are amazing! Pros: Atmosphere, Selection, Hours Cons: Owner more

The Knit NY concept is so simple, you can't believe nobody thought of it before: a cafe and a yarn store! You can buy yarn *and* hang out *and* knit *and* have an iced coffee. However, there is not enough room to display yarns and have many tables: how can you see yarn when someone is sitting right in front of it?! Are you supposed to ask them to stand up and move? What about when it's a knitting class? Another major, major drawback to Knit NY is the people who work there. You can yell, jump up and down and they will not notice. They are too cool for school. But I like the yarns! Ooh, the selection is delightful! The owner is very careful to pick yarns that are not found anywhere else, but also carries Manos de Uruguay, Cascade 220 and Koigu. Pros: unusual yarns, cafe! Cons: snotty salespersons, cramped, high prices more