I don’t knit, or crochet, but I have a lot of friends who do (which means I have a lot of awesome hand-made accessories). So I thought I’d pick up some “Made in France” yarn for friends back in the US. There are a number of great places in Paris to find it.
UPDATE: This shop closed in 2021.
Luckily I don’t need to go far, since one of my favorite tearooms in Paris is also a haven for knitters (and all you “fiber arts” people). L’OisiveThé sits atop the Butte aux Cailles hilltop (10 rue de la Butte aux Cailles, 13th), its colorful façade easy to spot. They serve coffees, teas, hot chocolate, all kinds of pastries and cakes, and vegetarian lunch and brunch.
The cozy tearoom’s walls were overflowing with yarns, so they recently opened a boutique down the street called La Bienaimée (89 avenue d’Italie, 13th) just for yarn and fiber arts accessories. They import hand-dyed and exceptional yarns from the US and the UK, and also sell French-made yarns and their own hand-dyed yarns which have amazing colors. They speak perfect English, so don’t hesitate to ask if you have questions.
Other Yarn and Sewing Shops
The other shop I regularly visit with tour clients who sew, knit or crochet is La Mercerie Parisienne (8 rue des France Bourgeoise, 3rd), in the back of a courtyard in the Marais. They have yarn, buttons, ribbons, patterns, fabrics, and felt. Another popular place for sewing and knitting items is La Droguerie, at Les Halles on 9 rue du Jour, 1st.
Get the insider’s scoop on the Parisian fiber art scene and a list of yarn shops in the article “Stitching Up Paris: Meet the Local Kniterati“