Winter is in full swing. And what better way to deal with cold weather than a cup of hot tea, a crochet hook or pair of knitting needles and a few skeins of velvety yarn?
Knitting and crochet have enjoyed a global resurgence over the past decade, but the two fiber arts are less popular in Taiwan than other places, says Chou Ling-chiao (周鈴樵), who has operated Lin Lin yarn store in Taipei for 10 years.
“It’s not as cold here so there is less of a desire to knit,” Chou says. “But it’s a skill that people like to learn, even if they don’t want a sweater.”
There are plenty of yarn stores in Taipei catering to a variety of budgets, with fibers ranging from inexpensive acrylic to luxurious cashmere and alpaca — even fair trade Peruvian cotton. Instead of sweaters, smaller projects like scarves, hats and toys are popular. Knitting looms, or frames with pegs to loop the yarn over, are an easy alternative to hooks and needles.
Most stores listed below offer basic knitting or crochet instructions with the purchase of yarn.
The basics
Shilin Yarn Supermarket (士林毛線超市)
Address: 2F, 607, Zhongshan N Rd Sec 5, Taipei City
(台北市中山北路五段607號2樓)
Telephone: (02) 2831-3777
The warehouse-like Shilin Yarn Supermarket is an institution among Taipei’s knitters. The store’s labyrinthine aisles are stacked with overflowing piles of yarn, and giant plastic bags stuffed with yet more skeins crowd the floor. Picking through the varieties and colors can be overwhelming, especially for novice knitters. Most skeins are encased in plastic bags and if you want to feel them, you have to ask staffers for assistance. Shilin Yarn Supermarket doesn’t carry well-known yarn brands like Rowan or Filatura di Crosa, but there are plenty of bargains to be found. Soft merino costs NT$180 per 50g skein, and worsted weight wool is NT$70 for the same amount. Fluffy kid mohair is NT$600 and a wool and alpaca blend is NT$1,200 per bag of 10 skeins. Basic knitting and crocheting instruction is available for free with a purchase.
Bear Mama (小熊媽媽)
Address: 51, Yanping N Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市延平北路一段51號)
Telephone: (02) 2550-8899
On the Net: www.bearmama.com.tw
Located in the heart of the “DIY district” near Taipei Main Station, Bear Mama is the city’s best-known craft store. The yarn selection takes up one wall and several shelves, and nearby tables are often filled with students taking crochet or knitting classes. Small skeins of acrylic (about 25g) start at NT$25 each, while natural fiber yarns from Japanese brand Nikke are available for NT$150 to NT$580 per skein. Bear Mama also carries a larger selection of needles and notions than most yarn stores, including six-inch (about 15cm) double-pointed needles for circular knitting.
Luxury fibers
Knitting Trend (時尚手編)
Address: 228, Changan E Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市長安東路二段228號)
Telephone: (02) 2777-2930
On the Net: www.knittingtrend.com.tw
One of the most upscale and attractive yarn stores in Taipei, Knitting Trend carries imported luxury fibers like alpaca and cashmere. The centerpiece of the store is a wall of shelves with sample skeins neatly organized for customers to pick up and stroke. The store is operated by Excel (智廣實業), a company that imports yarn brands like Rowan and Filatura Di Crosa (as well as the entire spectrum of DMC embroidery floss). Buttery Schachenmayr Nomotta Alpaca Fashion yarn is NT$360 for a 50g skein, while Filatura di Crosa’s Elen Cashmere, a blend of cashmere, wool, silk and rayon, is NT$820 per 50g skein. Pattern books from England and Japan are also available.
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