Hello, all.
My wife would love to find some yarn in a shop somewhere during our travels in May and June.
We will be in BO area (Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, Murren, Lucerne) and Zurich.
We will also be in Munich, Salzburg and Vienna.
Any ideas where we can go?
Thanks in advance!
Brent
Brent, I do a little knitting. There used to be a knit store search website, but I can’t find it so it may be long gone. Using Google Maps, searching “yarn stores in xxx”, I found several in Munich, Salzburg and Vienna. That will give you a starting point to look. Searching for their websites didn’t help so I can’t link any for you. I can’t give you any recommendations because I won’t be in the area until June.
A friend recommended the following in Zurich, all very central:
Vilfil (Kreuzstrasse, not far from the Opera house)
Marimar Strickcafe (near Stauffacher tram stop)
Tuttolana (in the old town near Neumarkt tram stop)
I think all the websites are in German, but you could have a look anyway to see pictures etc.
In Luzern you could try Vonarburg, a big hobby shop on Alpenstrasse (on the way to Lion monument)
Will she have an extra suitcase for all the beautiful yarn she will find?
I will follow this thread!
The best souvenir a knitter can bring home is locally sourced yarn. Every stitch made with it will evoke great memories of the trip!
The most adventurous search we had to find a yarn store was in Montevideo where after a very long walk and many wrong turns we finally found Manos de Uruguay, a cooperative where rural women's yarn and knitwear was marketed.
I can't help with your locations, but have brought home yarn from Iceland. The one tip I have though is to ask the front desk person at your hotel. I did that on one of our trips and he lady sent me to a wonderful little store in a small town that I would have missed entirely. She even called them to double check their hours for me.
The good thing is, yarn squishes well in a bag;)
It’s been awhile, but when I was in Salzburg with my aunt she bought yarn a a nice little shop. I would do a Google search or a map search in each location using the local language for yarn. Unfortunately small shops seem to come and go. Asking at your hotel or other locals is another good resource. Good luck!
Good to know, my-Swiss-life. Hand spun, vegetable-dyed yarn is a special treasure. I used to engage in that craft myself. That would make Ballenberg well worth the trip.
Mikliz, I sent you a PM.
Thank you all for the replies!
My wife wants to meet up with all of you knitters in Switzerland and start a group! :)
I will check out those recommendations in Zurich and Salzburg
The Ballenberg trip sounds great.
Maybe we could check out the Open Air Museum when we go.
Where is the Yarn shop there?
Is it in the museum or somewhere else?
Thanks again everyone!
The link above says you buy the yarn from the knitters themselves, or in the museum shops. It won’t be cheap—hand spun, natural dyed wool is pretty labor-intensive.
The link says she is working at the Vintners house in Zurich using wool from Ballenberg. But that is IN the Open Air Museum, right?
So there is a store inside the Open Air Museum?
Forgive my ignorance.
Is the Open Air Museum worth a trip in and of itself?
If we don't find a Yarn Shop there will be still be glad we went? Are the views there pretty etc.?
If we go, it will be a little out of the way and might have to replace a hike so weighing out options.
Thanks again!
Brent, if you take a boat ride on lake brienz, you can also see the Ballenberg museum that same day. You’d take the train from wengen to brienz and from there take a bus to the museum. Then, bus back to brienz where you can catch the boat to Hotel Geissbach or Interlaken. Check the times on the SBB app ahead of time so you can time everything out ahead of time so you don’t have to wait too long for the boat. Although, brienz is a nice place to walk around for a bit if you do end up waiting.
Like swiss life mentions, if you have nice weather you might want to spend that in the mountains. Ballenberg is in a big forest. It’s nice, but for a first trip to Switzerland, I would skip it, depending on the weather.
If you do go to the museum, check the opening times for the buildings. I got to the museum when it opened at 9, but most buildings didn’t open until 10 or later. I wanted an early start as I did the brienz boat ride after.
https://ballenberg.ch/en/activity/
Everything is timed well in Switzerland, but it does help to plan ahead and know what your options are. I think your biggest challenge will be timing the boats, as they don’t run as often in the offseason. There might be a 2-hour gap between some boats.
Thanks Carrie. That is super helpful. As you know, Brienz may be on our agenda. That is a great combination suggestion.
I think you need to come with us. You are always so helpful
I saw a yarn store in Murren and took a picture of a cat curled up on the balls of yarn which is the only real reason I remember it (so cute). J
Cool. Will check Murren too. This will be a fun side quest.
If you are a knitter on Ravelry, there is a worldwide yarn store directory. I use it for every trip we take.
My wife is literally jumping up and down about Ravelry. She is looking into it now! Thanks.
