Cool Shop Alert: Twisted

Twisted (at 2310 NE Broadway) is a newcomer to Portland's yarn-store scene. And it's a very welcome addition, for lots of reasons.

I know we should talk about the yarn first, but bear with me. First, I want to share the atmosphere of the place with you. Twisted was made for hanging out. There are cozy chairs, and comfortable tables, and you're welcome to bring in your knitting or crochet and relax. There's plenty of natural light, and a very friendly vibe.

That friendly vibe comes from the hearts of Twisted's co-owners, Emily Kizer and Shannon Squire. I don't want to be all snipey here, but I think it's safe to say that there are some yarn stores in PDX where one doesn't exactly meet with a welcoming attitude from the staff.

There's not a vestige of "better knitter than thou" at Twisted. Shannon and Emily welcome every visitor to the shop with the same smile and genuine interest. And that makes the whole space feel like you're hanging out at a friend's house.

Your loitering is definitely facilitated by Twisted's tea bar, where you can get a steaming cuppa and some lovely baked goods -- perfect fuel for yarn crafts.

If you're hankering to meet other crafters, you might want to pack up your project-in-progress and stop by the Tuesday night Open Craft Night, or the Friday night Movie Night. Great fun!

. . . Okay, NOW we can talk about the yarn. It's both plentiful and gorgeous. You'll find only the good stuff here, including Debbie Bliss, Sublime, Yarntini, and more. In fact, there's a complete list of the makers Twisted carries right here. The array of saturated colors will keep you happy for a looooong while.

But, you should know that Twisted offers more than just knitting and crochet supplies. You can also find embroidery supplies, crewel wools, and stitchery patterns from good old Sublime Stitching and Wool & Hoop.

. . .All this, AND a monthly haiku contest? How very Portland.