Knitters living in or passing through the Los Angeles area: take a few steps off the beaten path and make your way up to Montrose, a tiny city adjacent to Glendale. There, you will find cute restaurants and coffee shops, independent clothing and toy shops, and a tiny, adorable Local Yarn Shop. Needle in a Haystack, serving the public since 1973, is located on the main shopping drag, with parking adjacent and usually plentiful. The store caters to both embroidery and yarn enthusiasts, so this is the time to gather your needlepoint, cross-stitch, crochet, and knitting friends for a fun expedition aimed at stash enhancement.

The store is physically divided into two sections, with the needlepoint section in the front and the knitting or crochet area behind it. While the store’s inventory changes with the seasons, one can usually find yarn stalwarts such as Berroco and Cascade, and luxury brands such as The Fibre Company; on a recent trip, I was able to score some beautiful Malabrigo Rios, a luxury wool in a heavy DK weight, available in a number of colorways. Not every line from every company is in stock on any given day, so it is a good idea to call ahead if you desire something specific. Browsers, on the other hand, will have no trouble finding beautiful string to play with!

Needle in a Haystack also carries basic supplies such as needles, hooks, and stitch markers, as well as patterns to support its yarns. However, the current movement towards digital patterns has left its mark on this small shop, and thus this is not the place to go to browse through pattern notebooks. Rather, your time will be better spent examining yarn, seeing what is available, and then consulting your Ravelry queue to find a pattern to match.

The store offers classes in different needle techniques. Some of these, such as hardanger embroidery, are unusual offerings; others, such as their Knitting Lab, are more standard trainings. Consider timing your visit to take advantage of one of these, and gather around the table in the back of the store to learn something new, craft with like minded souls, and enjoy an afternoon out of the Los Angeles heat.

The store is usually open from 10:30 – 5p, Tuesday through Saturday, but it is always a good idea to call ahead and make sure that someone will be there to greet you. This is not a shop for those desiring endless variety and choices; it is a neighborhood store that provides beautiful yarn for those interested in supporting local business and sharing their love of the craft.

2262 Honolulu Avenue, Montrose, California, 91020. (818)248-7686. https://needleinahaystackmontrose.com