Fiber people know the feeling: you walk into a shop expecting a few familiar domestic brands and instead find yourself staring at shelves stacked with yarn shipped in from Italy, Norway, and beyond. That’s the surprise waiting inside a small Scottsdale storefront that’s become a gathering spot for knitters and crocheters across the East Valley.
Yarn Parlour, run under the name NickiNits by owner Nicki, is a family-owned shop tucked into a suite off Gray Road near Scottsdale Road. It’s built its reputation less on flash and more on substance: a genuinely international yarn selection, a teaching program for makers at every level, and an owner who actually sits down with you to help pick the right fiber for your project.
What Makes This Shop Stand Out
The yarn wall here reads like a passport. Instead of the usual big-box brands, you’ll find Lana Grossa and Malabrigo alongside Lang Yarns, Sandnes Garn, and Novita, labels that are far more common in European fiber shops than in the Phoenix area. Weights span the full range too, from delicate lace yarn to chunky jumbo skeins, so whether you’re working on a lightweight shawl or a quick weekend blanket, there’s something suited to the job.
Beyond the yarn itself, the shop carries the supporting cast of tools every maker needs: needles, hooks, stitch markers, needle stoppers, project bags, pattern books, and other notions. It’s a compact space, but it’s stocked with intention rather than just volume, which makes browsing feel manageable instead of overwhelming.
What people consistently point to as the best part of visiting isn’t just the inventory, though. It’s the one-on-one attention. Shoppers describe the owner sitting down with them, working through a pattern, and helping select yarn that actually fits the project rather than just pointing them toward whatever’s on the shelf. That kind of guidance is hard to find once big-box craft stores have thinned out their staff expertise, and it’s a big reason regulars keep coming back.
Classes, Workshops, And Community
Yarn Parlour runs a regular slate of classes and workshops aimed at both beginners and more advanced makers. Offerings have included project-based sessions like a Sophie Scarf workshop and a piece called The Grid Gambit, along with private one-on-one lessons for those who want individualized instruction rather than a group class. The shop also hosts casual “Craft & Connect” gatherings, informal meetups where people bring their current projects, work alongside each other, and swap tips.
These sessions are typically led in small groups, which keeps the instruction hands-on and lets teachers actually watch technique and correct it in real time rather than lecturing from the front of a room. For anyone who’s tried to learn to knit or crochet from a video alone, that kind of in-person troubleshooting makes a real difference.
Atmosphere & Décor
The shop occupies a modest suite in a Scottsdale retail center, and the scale actually works in its favor. It feels more like stepping into someone’s well-organized craft room than a sprawling retail floor, with yarn displayed in a way that invites you to touch and compare rather than just glance and move on. The mood is unhurried and social, the kind of place where conversation strikes up naturally between strangers browsing the same shelf.
Because the space is intimate, class sessions and Craft & Connect meetups have a close, communal feel rather than a formal classroom vibe. It’s the sort of environment where you can linger over a colorway decision without feeling rushed.
Other Considerations
What are the hours? The shop is closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Given the limited window, it’s worth checking their current hours before making a special trip.
Do I need to book a class in advance? Workshops and private lessons are typically scheduled ahead of time, so it’s best to check their website or call to reserve a spot rather than dropping in and hoping for an open seat.
Is this a good stop for beginners? Yes. Between the private lesson option and the beginner-friendly workshops, the shop is set up to help people who have never picked up needles or a hook, not just experienced makers restocking their stash.
Can I just come to hang out and knit? The Craft & Connect gatherings are built for exactly that, a low-pressure way to work on your own project in the company of other fiber enthusiasts.
Yarn Parlour
📍 7721 E Gray Rd Suite 102, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Website: https://yarnparlour.com
