Stitches East

02/22/2008 Posted by Tang78

I expected something upscale in terms of quality, price, customer service and a large selection, as their yellow pages ad declares that it is a "complete knit and needlepoint shop." The prices and small collection of products are certainly upscale, as well as the very traditional pieces hanging on display like one of those not-quite-fashionable bridal boutiques in a small town. If you are a scarf knitter that wants to see glitzy yarn and see a few well-organized books and don't mind paying premium, this would do. If you are edgy and want many options and require textile/pattern inspiration, I would go to School Yarn or Seaport. To be fair, you *can* sit at Stitches' table with the lady knitting something and ignoring you and browse the store-copy magazines (i'm not sure if any were for sale) for ideas, too. Ignoring the customers is ok at somewhere like Seaport yarns, where not only does their vast selection speak for itself, when you *do* want help, the two women I've met are very helpful and suggest many alternatives if they do not have exactly that product. At this store, the selection and prices are not good enough to excuse that behavior. And just to top off my experience, where they didn't carry thread I was looking for, I bought two plastic overpriced accessories so I could leave with SOMETHING, and when my exact change for the coin portion was ONE PENNY short, the lady still insisted on the full penny and I had a huge pocket full of change. OK, it's technically right, and it's ok they didn't have my tapestry thread, but that's just weird. Seaport would never do that. I think this place is ok for people that don't mind a small selection and slowly knit small projects. For me, I like the down-and-dirty places with knitting people that want to talk shop! Knitpicks online is also very good if some of you reviewers have had it with the NYC yarn stores. Luxurious material, almost no knots, great prices, patterns not so good there.

Pros: Well organized, clean, needlework supplies

Cons: Small selection, bad service

01/30/2008 Posted by cccavicch

This shop is near my office and is my go-to LYS when I want to pick up some yarn on the spur-of-the-moment or meet up with friends for some lunchtime or afterwork knitting. There's a nice selection, and I've always found the staff to be friendly and helpful. The store is located on the ground floor of an office building, just off a lovely atrium where one can sit, have coffee, and knit away.

Pros: convenient location, knowledgeable staff

Cons: limited selection as compared to some of the larger stores in NYC

01/27/2008 Posted by messhedontwant

I've only been there once and the staff seemed nice. I told the woman what I was looking for and she recommended something to me that worked out very nicely. My biggest con with the store is that there are NO PRICES on anything!!

Pros: Good location, nice variety

Cons: No prices on skeins, needles seemed a little pricey

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

12/19/2007 Posted by oldstyleno10

Staffing must have changed since earlier negative reviews, since I found the staff to be both gracious and helpful, as well as knowledgeable about knitting.

Pros: Knowledgeable staff

Cons: Hard to find: Inside Park Avenue Plaza lobby.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

08/23/2006 Posted by bluerhino

I have been here a few times, as this is the most convenient location to my work. I don't bother anymore, because the staff is terribly rude. They are unhelpful, and often treat me as if I don't have the first clue what I am doing. They seem very annoyed when I have to ask them a question about a product. One time, they even strung me along for several months, telling me they would be getting in a yarn that I need. They never did get it, and when I expressed my annoyance they told me I shouldn't have bothered waiting around. Go to The Yarn Co. instead. They at least help their customers.

Cons: Snotty Staff, Very Expensive, Close Early

08/29/2005 Posted by norikotz

I've shopped there several times, and they ARE rude! They seem irritated if you look around. It's expensive, too.

Pros: location

Cons: customer service, price, stock

04/07/2004 Posted by bmrussel

All of the other negative reviews are right on the money. The salespeople are terrible, especially the manager who basically kicked me out of the store yesterday at 5:53 (they close at 6:00) because she "had things to do". I was shocked. I mean, what kind of business kicks out a paying customer, even if that customer shows up close to closing time. I will never shop here again.

01/28/2004 Posted by webcritic

The salespeople are rude and ignore their customers, and everything costs a fortune! Each time I go, I try to put these bad experiences past me, but it all comes flooding back immediately. This is why I have never bought anything there. No wonder they have such a terrible nickname...

Pros: luxury yarns

Cons: luxury prices, rude staff

08/01/2003 Posted by rbtr8or

The listing claims that they have a full range of needlepoints. However, they are clearly a knitting store and they have very little in the way of needlepoint. What they do have is really pretty unattractive. And the staff is strangely unfriendly. I travelled a little further the next day and got what I needed at Rita's on East 79th off of Lexington. The selection was vast, the people were lovely and the prices were better too!

12/04/2002 Posted by candypantz

The store does not have much of a selection, and the salespeople are unhelpfuland seem annoyed when I call with a question. Even a simple inquiry as to yarn availability leaves me feeling like I've just been an huge annoyance. No thanks! This is the closest knitshop to my home, but I prefer to travel the extra blocks to the Yarn Company located at 82nd & Broadway, where they are friendly, have an awesome selection and love to help people knit.

Pros: location, convenient hours

Cons: salespeople, salespeople, selection