Lion Brand Yarn Studio (CLOSED)

The family-owned and -operated business started in New York in 1878 and is America’s oldest hand-knitting yarn brand. Don’t be intimidated by its lineage, though: The studio is welcoming to all skill levels. Inside the cheerful space is a unique display of backlit translucent panels showcasing a rainbow of available yarns. You can test-drive select options at a sampling wall, drop in on free sessions with the knitting (Wed 5:30–6:30pm) or crochet (Tue 5:30–6:30pm) doctors and browse more than 8,000 complimentary patterns available to customers. A broad range of in-store workshops ($25–$90) are also available—some even include all the necessary materials, such as “Beginning Crochet” and “Beginning Knitting” ($50 for a two-week session). Others offer discounts on materials if purchased from the studio, such as “Intro to Fair Isle/Make a Hat” ($55 for a three-hour session) and “Intro to Cables” ($50 for a three-hour session).