Beginning Knitting 1

About Us

Welcome to Atelier Yarns and Atelier Marin, two inviting, family-owned yarn shops in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are celebrating over 30 years in business and we would like to sincerely thank the thousands of people who have made these three decades possible. It has been an honor teaching, assisting and knitting with you and we look forward to many more!

Both Atelier stores specialize in luxurious natural fibers and hand-dyed gems. Together we are striving to offer our customers unparalleled selection and service. We proudly offer knowledgeable and friendly service, expert private lessons and comprehensive class schedules for all levels of knitting and crochet.

We have an extensive selection of yarns, needles, patterns, books, knitting bags and accessories made locally and from around the world. We are happy to ship whatever you need wherever you are. Gift certificates are also available.

Our Story

In 1987, when Grace Cooper taught her young niece Amanda how to knit and crochet, she couldn’t have imagined that the knowledge she was imparting would one day lead to the creation and success of two yarn stores in the Bay Area.

Grace’s passion had always been to share her love of knitting, crochet, spinning and weaving with others. She had been practicing and teaching these crafts her entire adult life and wanted to open her own yarn shop where she could share her passions and the joys of hand crafts with others. In the Summer of 1991, Grace realized a dream she had been unwittingly moving towards for 30 years. She signed a lease & opened the doors of Atelier Yarns. Her niece Amanda, home from college for the summer, put herself to work cleaning, painting bins and stocking yarn every day.

Amanda returned to the Bay Area in 2005 from New York City where she had been working in art, fashion and home furnishings for the previous 10 years. At the suggestion of Grace, she decided to open Atelier Marin in Marin County, her own spacious and bright store filled with gorgeous yarns, books and accessories.

In 2008, Grace officially retired from everyday work at Atelier Yarns and thus handed the mantle over to her niece who now owns and runs both shops. Diagnosed with a rare disease in 2001, Grace fought valiantly to maintain her health and dignity and succeeded in surviving for 14 years longer than doctors thought she would. She passed away in 2015.

In 2021 and 2023, both locations expanded to much larger spaces nearby. We were simply bursting at the seams and needed more room for yarn. We encourage you to visit and enjoy the new bright and spacious shops!

All of us at Atelier Yarns & Atelier Marin welcome everyone with any interest in or curiosity about yarn and hand-crafts to visit and learn more. Atelier's incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff will work with you — whatever your ability — to find a project and/or a class that excites and inspires you!