LYS Review: Genuine Purl, Chattanooga, TN
Fair warning: this review is going to be biased. I've put off writing it for a long time because of the depth of my feeling, but here goes.Genuine Purl was my first Local Yarn Shop (LYS). I crocheted big rectangles before I ever knit, and Genuine Purl was the place I got quality yarn, my first non-100%-acrylic, for my first real project - a giant blanket that I started at the end of my senior year of high school to take to college with me.
Holy crap, nice yarn can be expensive.
Fortunately, some of my graduation gifts were gift certificates to the shop, because that blanket end up costing $90. This seems perfectly reasonable to me now, but on a high-schooler's budget, it was daunting. However, I have to credit Genuine Purl with opening the world of quality, drool-worthy yarn to me.Genuine Purl is owned by the mother of one of my high-school teammates. It has been a must-visit place every time I've gone home to Chattanooga. From that first glorious blanket, which is still in use, to my most recent purchases to make hats and mittens for my family, Genuine Purl has been a steady, if erratic, presence in my knitting life.
Genuine Purl is where I bought the yarn for my first blanket.Genuine Purl is where I bought the awesome "K1, P1" magnet that decorates my car.Genuine Purl is where I dashed to in the rain after having my wedding dress fitted across the street, abandoning my mom and sister and grandma and friends because I couldn't not.
Genuine Purl is where I visited just before moving overseas. Because all of my worldly goods were already packed, they graciously offered to mail my yarn to me, even having to fill out a customs form.Genuine Purl is where I went to knit night while impatiently waiting for my second son to be born and where I brought him at 3 weeks to show him off.I've never really felt like I've had "my" LYS in a place where I live. But I claim Genuine Purl with all my heart.Genuine Purl is located at 140 N Market Street in Chattanooga, TN. It features a wide range of scrumptious yarns, like Malabrigo and Koigu, plus a rainbow of colors of the budget-friendly workhorses like Berroco.
It also has a large embroidery section, with floss and gorgeous hand-painted designs to cross-stitch. Sale yarns are kept in a playpen. The shop is teeming with lovely samples, Knitters Pride Carbonz needles, project bags, and books. They have a frequent buyer program and knit night on Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm. The best way to know what's going on with them is to follow their page on Facebook. And they're always happy to see you and hear about your adventures. :)
