Local to Carmel there are two yarn stores (or at least ones that I found within easy striking distance)
Carmel has no street addresses. This is relevant because it means that you actually have to watch street signs (painted on posts stitcking up no more than four feet on corners) to figure out where you are. Having found the website for Knitting-by-the-Sea really helped since one has to sort of figure out which road, which direction on said road and then spot the place as you saunter by on the other side of the street.
Knitting by the Sea
It is a nice, bright shop with a decent amount of yarn on hand and a cheerful proprietor with a goodly number of years in this location. The centrally placed table means that you can sit and knit while yarns sneakily call to you for fondling and purchase. Buttons, magazines and needles abound.
yarns organized in both color groups and by weight
In Monterey there is The Twisted Stitch. Dawn is a UK transplant who has been in the area for more than a few years; opening the shop just about two years ago. Not having my camera with – you will just have to rely on Google for a map. Located close to the Monterey Aquarium there is on street heavily metered parking. (Trust me, the meter maid just circles the block….)
She has a nice selection of books and knitting needles, the yarn shelves were a bit bare when I stopped by. Open till 1900 really helped as we stopped in after dinner.
There is one in Pacific Grove you have to see, Monarch Knitting. Joan, the owner, is a peach. She’s the one who opened her box from Martingale the day my book came out, six copies in that box, and a swarm of knitters from Asilomar descending on her asking for it after Nina showed off her shawl there and told them they needed this book.
It was 4 pm on a Friday. Joan told them, if I do this you have to promise to come back! She overnight weekend FedExed 50 copies (thank you Martingale’s shipping department, too!) and sold them all the next day when they came in (except the one she saved for herself.)
I’ve met her. She’s a peach. We had a great time talking about it on the phone then and later in person.
Someday I will check that place out. I have heard of it for years. If only it were closer than two hours away.
Looks like a pleasant place.
I remember Carmel. Pretty place.