sheep in the city

That's a great picture :)

Have fun in Chicago!!!

if you ar staying downtown, be warned arcadia is pretty north. And not as good as loopy yarns. I swear las ttime i was down on congress i saw another knit shop just doors down from loopy hold on let me
consult the internet...

ok.
if you are staying downtown i recommend just staying in the loop. Arcadia isn't really wort the effort of going north. they sort by color and the staff is not warm and friendly.

the other knit shop i saw was on Wabash. This is really close to Loopy yarns.
Knitwerks
1934 S. Wabash
Chicago, IL
http://www.knitwerks.net/

and loopy yarns is
719 S. State St.
Chicago, IL

they are literally like 2 blocks from one another.
Knitwerks is new, but i hear good things.
Plus downtown is where everything is like millenium park, the art institute, state street, the magnificient mile.

up north you have Nina on division, high end, way pricey small. over in lincoln park (again affluent neighborhood) you have knitting workshop, this is a good one to hit up if your north, they have tons of stock, but usually higher end stuff. cause well it's lincoln park women come in and drop 400$ in a heartbeat on yarn. Staff, not so welcoming.
Knitter's Niche over on southport. Maryann is affectionatley called the knitting nazi..but she is awesome, just old and cranky, but wickedly funny...and she is one of those crazy intricate lace knitters. SHe's awesome to talk to. They have an intresting selection and are quite small. They are just off Belmont on SOuthport.
Knit1 is in nat's neighborhood, lincoln square. Very small but she always has some intreting high end stuff or independent artists. I haven't been to her shop in a year tho. And she always remebers your name and your face, slightly weird but awesome.
Arcadia is over close to uptown on lawrence. i don't like the staff an many note they are unfriendly. they sort their yarn by color. They just started carring more sock yarn, but like regia.
loopy is the best out of all of them. best sock yarn selection in the city.

if you come north shoot me an email i'll send you my cell number. I'm not sure what i'm doing this weekend.

You should check the ravelry boards to see if there's something about Chicago LYSes... Let me know if you have good or bad experiences -- I'll be there next week!

I'm a Chicagoan -- I agree Loopy is my favorite store and they are so friendly and helpful! I am an old fan of the Arcadia ladies but Loopy is my new favorite. Arcadia stocks more of the standard stuff -- if you need Yellow DK weight Superwash go there, you know? But Loopy has more fun and offbeat yarns, and the atmosphere is great. I haven't spent time in the rest of the stores as much -- Nina is small, pricey, exotic (they carry some tiny balls of Habu, for instance). Makes you feel rich going into that store, you know? Yarn like a zen garden. Staff is very nice, as long as you keep your voice down ;) If you're up for a LONG car trip, you might decide it's worth your while to go to The Fold, in Marengo. They're the spinning mecca, and they have Blue Moon Fiber Arts like crazy, including all the yarns that are NOT Socks That Rock! Plus of course plenty of STR. DUnno if you want to spend your CHicago time driving to the farmland though.

This weekend is jam-packed for me, otherwise I'd love to hang out with you! Have a great visit to our Windy City!

Oh, got nothing on chicago yarn stores, b/c I've not gone to one. You could email Lynette of Passionknit.net, as she lives in Chicago and I know her knitters group meets up regularly. Also you could check out the store that dyes Dream in Color, but I don't know the name, sorry!

Have fun in Chicago. I'd say post on Ravelry too. I'm sure you'll get lots of responses.

Have a fun trip!!

I second everyone's warm feelings for Loopy Yarns! Knitters Niche is also a blast, and yes, run by a crazy, cranky lady. Charming cranky. Arcadia on the other hand ... is very far north, and I've never had a particularly positive experience there, personally.

Hop on a train and come to Geneva, IL a great little town on the fox river. Lots of adorable shops and a great yarn shop Wool & Company!

great picture (stilll) of you and RayLynn.

If you're able to get to Oak Park (10 min west of the city), check out Chix with Stix

Hope you made your flight this morning - drew said you guys were running a bit behind! Who can blame you at 4:30 in the AM! Have fun with RayLynn and John & Julie. I'll be thinking of you as I'm unpacking boxes.

Sheep in the City is coming to Chicago!! Oh, I wish I was closer to the city and/or didn't have such a busy weekend. Face south and wave to me!
I have been to Loopy, it was great and the ladies were so nice. I hope you have an awesome visit, Chicago is a great city!!!

Yay for knitters traveling together! Have loads of fun. Go check out all the stores and keep showing off those Clapotises!

I know that's not a proper plural, but I like it, so sue me. : )

You're having too much travel fun for one person!!