There are about a bajillion different ways to use a piece of string. No matter your medium, these local Chicago shops have everything you need to start your next project, and most of them even offer workshops where you can learn new techniques.
Third Coast Stitches (Old Town)
Third Coast Stitches at 1365 N. Wells St. is dedicated to all things needlepoint, a kind of hand embroidery that’s stitched on a stiff, open-weave canvas instead of typical fabric. Beyond all the basic supplies you’d need, the shop carries a wide variety of canvases with original designs you can sew. (I’m feeling particularly inspired by their Chicago collection!)
- 🪡 New to needlepoint? Sign up for a beginner class this month.
Textile Discount Outlet (Pilsen)
Get lost in over 13 rooms (and 75,000 square feet 😮) of fabrics, trimmings, rhinestones, and feathers at Textile Discount Outlet. For more than 30 years, this shop at 2121 W. 21st St. has been a staple for hobby sewists and professionals alike.
- 🏆 Every month, Textile Discount Outlet invites you to participate in a new creative challenge. In October, they’re challenging visitors to create something with a $20 budget. Tag them on social media with a photo of your project, and you could win a gift card!
The Dropped Stitch (Andersonville)
My dear knitters and crocheters of the world, I haven’t forgotten about you! The Dropped Stitch at 1524 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. is a small, cozy yarn haven. Inside, you’ll find a rainbow of fibers, such as cotton, wool, and alpaca fur. (Pro tip: Make sure to check out the tiny used bookstore inside the shop!)
- 🧦 You could secure your entire winter wardrobe by taking classes at The Dropped Stitch. Check out their workshops for crocheting hats and fingerless gloves, or learn to knit flower mittens and socks.
Fiber Friends Studios (Hyde Park)
Fiber Friends Studio at 1744 E. 55th St. carries everything you need for your next project, whether you’re into knitting, sewing, crochet, or embroidery. They also host free weekly meetups: Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and rotating Saturday mornings at local cafes.
- 🧶 Check out their collection of unique hand-dyed yarns. Each skein is inspired by somewhere in Hyde Park, like this grey yarn named after the Obama Center or this green-and-blue blend commemorating the Osaka Garden.
