Last Monday I met up with some fun knitting peeps at a LYS near my work. Beth mentioned the new knitting store in Mahtomedi called Lila and Claudine’s and, hey, I’m in!! We all decided to head to Mahtomedi on Friday to check it out. It was well worth the trip.
When you enter the building, you need to go downstairs to the huge shop (because of the stairs, it is not “accessible”):
The elaborate decorating on the stairs gives you an inkling of things to come! Here are some pictures that give you an idea of this fun and whimsical shop…
Wow, right? It is a kaleidoscope of color and fun. It took me at least 20 minutes to notice the yarn — and they do have a very impressive inventory. Truth be told, it is a gift shop as much as a knitting store, but there is plenty for all. Sisters Polly and Kirsten own the store, which is named for their grandmothers. They are both warm, welcoming and VERY helpful. They encourage knitters to stop and knit a while!
I did buy a little bit of yarn because they had some things I had not seen elsewhere. I’ll show it as I knit it up — it is mostly for some more small Christmas projects. We ate down the street at a little Italian deli called Roma’s that boasts a fine menu and a woodfire pizza oven. Mahtomedi is northeast of St. Paul, but it only took about 30-40 minutes for me to get there.
To wrap it up, here is a picture of either Lila or Claudine!
I want to go to there. (TM Liz Lemon)
Comment by surly — December 5, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
From Susan to Surly: Promise, I will take you there on your very next visit!!
Comment by lv2knit — December 5, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
What a cool shop!
Comment by Cath Pete — December 5, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
What a neat place! But I must say that the woman on the door looks quite spooky!
Comment by Weedwacker — December 5, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
Don’t you just love it there? Unfortunately, they aren’t open on Mondays – my day off. But I can manage to get out there on a Sunday when the Vikings play later in the day. The staff is wonderful and the atmosphere is amazing. I feel like I just stepped into a friends home. It’s my favorite place. And Sally, if Susan won’t take you, I will.
Comment by 2muchfun — December 5, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
And the Vikings play late this Sunday . . . so it would be a good day for you to go! I’ll be in DC, where it actually snowed today. Yay!
But this shop will be on my to do list next time I’m visiting.
Comment by surly — December 6, 2009 @ 1:28 am
That was fun.
Comment by Chloe — December 6, 2009 @ 7:08 pm
Looks like you could spend hours in there!
Comment by twinsetellen — December 6, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
OMG! It’s wonderful! 😀
Comment by Romi — December 6, 2009 @ 11:31 pm
What a charming little shop! So colorful and fun. You can tell it’s going to be darling right from the get-go.
Comment by Kym — December 7, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
First of all, thank you so much for such wonderful comments and photos. We are very humbled by all the kind words.
For anyone who wants to come check us out, please do, you are always welcome to come and knit in the knitting room. We are open everyday except Mondays.
Again, thanks for the the great review.
Comment by Kirsten — December 15, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
P.S…the woman on the door is Lila….on our parents wedding day. 🙂
Comment by Kirsten — December 15, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
I run the insurance agency that sits atop L&C’s….the positive energy and knitting frenzy seeps through the floor all day long. What an exceptional group of people.
Comment by Tracy — December 15, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
I have to agree. This is about the best knit shop anywhere! (I do love Hanks in Gainesville, FL too.) Wonderful atmosphere, fantastic owners and sales people, great place to knit, and wonderful yarn. What more could anyone ask for?
Comment by Merrie — January 14, 2010 @ 3:51 pm
Oh, and thanks for all of the pictures! Now I can show it to my mom in South Carolina!
Comment by Merrie — January 14, 2010 @ 3:51 pm