Yarns on First
The other yarn shop I visited while in California last month was a great little place in Napa called Yarns on First. (Let me just admit right here, because I am a big person who is not afraid of looking stupid in public, that I had no idea that Napa is actually the name of a town in California as well as a whole valley. Who knew? Obviously, not me. I realize that this probably falls into the same category as not realizing that New York is a city as well as a state, but there it is.)
In any case, Yarns on First is a very nice place, where they have their yarns arranged by color instead of brand.
This makes for a very pretty store, although you do have to look a little harder and ask more questions to find the yarns you want.
Fortunately, the folks there are extremely friendly and helpful. Here’s Roxanna, one of the co-owners who helped me find (what else?) some lovely sock yarn to purchase.
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I got this beautiful merino from Claudia Hand Painted Yarns, in a colorway named “John B.”
                                                                       You can see the huge selection of colorways of this yarn there in the stacked baskets. I had a hard time making up my mind, I’ll tell you.
And a wool/mohair blend from Schaefer Yarns called “Anne.”
                                            Snuggling up next to the Claudia Hand Paint.Â
I’m really excited about this yarn, because of the mohair content, naturally. (You all know about my love affair with mohair, right?) Of course, the Mountain Colors yarn that I bought at Stash has some mohair content, as well, so that’s exciting too. (You have to find these little things every day to keep you going, you know?)
Yarns on First, 1305 First Street, Napa, CA 94559 707-257-1363
July 16th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Nice shopping effort, Sarah!
And I do not think that your Napa error is the same as not knowing that New York is a city AND a state. Napa is not one of the largest cities in the country, after all. I betcha a lot of people don’t know that. Especially if they come from the East or the Midwest.
Anyone else gonna tell the truth and admit that he or she didn’t know that either? Proving yourself a big and fearless person like my sister?
July 16th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
That Schaefer sock yarn is absolutely beautiful. It’s funny with sock yarns. You look at them in the skein, and all you can think about is how gorgeous the socks will be. Especially with sock yarns, I think, I forget that there’s a little process in between skein and sock, called work. I really enjoy your columnd, and I didn’t know Napa was a town either, until I went to a conference there and discovered one of the best wine shops I’d ever seen (not a surprise, I know, but delightful, nonetheless.) You girls keep up the writing!
July 16th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
I agree with Ellen. Not knowing that Napa is a town as well as a valley is not at all like not knowing that New York is a city as well as a state.
Remember a LONG time ago when the Royals and the Cardinals played for the World Series Championship? The announcer told the world that Kaufman Stadium, then Royals Statdium, was in Kansas. After all, if it’s Kansas City, it must be in Kansas, right? He made his mistake on a national network within hearing of the whole world! And he got paid not to make mistakes like that!
So it’s o.k. if you didn’t know previously that Napa was a town as well as a valley. I didn’t know it either until I googled our bed and breakfast there a couple of days before we boarded the plane for CA. We learned, didn’t we?
July 17th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Oh my… I think I could get lost in that place…
July 17th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Ah, thanks! It’s very nice of you all to try to make me look not so clueless!
July 17th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
I love Schaefer Anne, and I hope you will, too! Just a note- it’s a bit finer than other fingering/sock yarns.
July 17th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
You and me and mohair, baby! I, too, have a love affair with mohair. I have a single skein of natural offwhite brushed mohair from England that weighs 17 ounces. It’s been living in my stash room since March. I go in periodically to pet it, and squeeze it, and smell it. Uh oh, too much information; eat your heart out, Sarah!
July 18th, 2007 at 12:23 am
I’ve shopped there and you can’t believe all the beautiful yarns. I walk through and just feel everything. We are so lucky to have this store in Napa Valley. They are also very nice about helping you pick out something nice or fix a mess up in my case. Go By.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
I don’t know how I came across your blog but love reading…I’m recently moved from Napa Valley – I love that little shop! Hope you also found MUSE in St. Helena…..my real favorite!
September 15th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
We also visited Napa this past summer and found this little shop! Loved it!!! I haven’t been able to find any other place that match such selection. The yarn we got at the “Yarns on First” is just super. I am in WI, so just googled the shop’s name and found this blog. Gosh, I wish we could order stuff from that store online too.