IMOnday: Seed Stitch, Salem, Massachusetts

Shop: Seed Stitch
Location: 10 Front Street, Salem, MA 01970
Telephone: 978.744.5557
Website: seedstitchfineyarn.com
Hours: OPEN: Tues-Sat: 11-5PM, Thursdays: 6-8PM (Community Knitting)
Payment: Credit Cards Accepted

I visited Seed Stitch for the third time on Sunday during their big sale. Apparently, they're moving a few doors away some time soon. Their current space is sort of long and narrow but full of light, which is good for the shop but not for items displayed (very attractively) in the windows. They have a long project table down the middle with chairs all around, sort of refectory style, as well as a couple of comfy chairs up front by the windows.

Most of the yarn is on shelves on either side. Some skeins of sock yarn are displayed on dowels, and a pile of Mmmalabrigo is in a cool cart thing on the ground. They stock Cascade, Rowan, Jo Sharp, J Knits, Malabrigo, Debbie Bliss, and a few others I'm blanking on right now. They also have little bags of colored roving, a decent needle selection (Addis and Brittanys for the most part). Victoria, the owner, is very friendly and personable, and she has a handful of employees.

While it's not the sort of place you're going to settle in to for the day, it is inviting and airy. The project table gives you space to figure things out, and I imagine it's a good set-up for a class. Be sure to check out the website for the class schedule. The book selection is pretty good, though most of them are spine-out on shelves, so you sort of have to know what you're looking for. Perhaps some are out on the project table when it isn't laden with sale yarn.

The first time I went there, I had Isobel in tow, and the space proved to be quite child-friendly. The open space would even accommodate a stroller, though you'd have to get it up one (two?) step(s) to get in the door - the charm of old Salem, dontchaknow.

The Art Director says, the logo for the store is colorful (chartreuse green and purple) and eye-catching. I like the font choice, having used it for our wedding paper trousseau back in the day. My only concern is that it's not the easiest thing to read, though it's not very difficult. It's elegant and a little different, which is good.

Overall, Seed Stitch is a new-style yarn shop that should satisfy most knitters (no fun fur, folks).

P.S. Can you believe I didn't buy anything at the sale? I walked around with some DB Astrakhan in my hands for a while but couldn't figure out what to do with it, since it's similar to the HPY Boucle sitting at home. I think I was still in Alpaca Sweater shock and not really ready to find the next big thing.

P.P.S. I'll let you know Seed Stitch's new address as soon as I know it.