Profile

After years of working in the vintage wholesale business, knitting hobbyist Pearl Chin opened Knitty City in 2006, a spacious shop that has a comfy sofa chair in the front and a big table in the back where crafters gather throughout the day. The friendly, community-oriented store is open late for evening classes—often based around a monthly theme, such as lace, purse and bag, or kids and baby—and special groups, including a men's, kids', and (non knitting-specific) book club. Knitty City also welcomes knitting authors and designers every other week and plays host to special events, like Vogue Knitting's 25th-anniversary party. In stock are cotton, cashmere, imported, and sock yarns, as well as needles and accessories, a large selection of instructional books, and buttons both new and vintage. If you ask, Chin will show you her hidden collection of vintage kimono silks and ribbons, also for sale. — Caroline Kinneberg