A Verb for Keeping Warm - Oakland, California

phoenix logan

I love this place but i wish it was open for more hours for in person shopping. One of the best things about knitting is going to pick out yarn and I’m sad that it’s hard to do that here now. I can’t get into online ordering for knitting supplies

Anne Margaret White

I finally made it! What delightful little jewelry box of goodness!! I've followed AVFKW for a while online from the east coast and was excited to see how close it was to my son while visiting. We were thwarted by COVID closures during our last visit, so it was game on this go-round. It was worth the wait! The yarns, the fabrics, the patterns, the samples, the inspo, the colors, the kits, the dying - it's all here and absolutely divine! What a fabulous place to stop and be enthralled!

Kurt Fausset

I left the original review below six years ago so I thought I'd give an update. The post pandemic Verb is a different experience, but just as lovely. If you can't make their new in-person hours, they have really amped up the web based and dyed to order sides of the business. It functions really well. The orders always ship within the promised timeline, and dyeing to order makes gives the yarn a bespoke feel. They always go above and beyond to put their money where their eco mouth is. I recently bought some yarn that is spun from fiber all sourced west of the Mississippi and dyed over different colored fleeces spun together. The result is this complex and earthy hue that could never be replicated synthetically. Their products are truly beyond compare, and the biodegradable shipping supplies are the cherry on top. This place is truly a treasure.

The importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly clothing cannot be over stated. Verb is a great model to look to for any textile and fashion enthusiasts to learn how to clean up your clothing habits.

Original Review: There are many grades of craft stores. There are good ones, GREAT ones, and ones that are downright magical. Verb is without a doubt the most magical craft store I've ever been in. Every time I'm there I feel like I'm living in my naturally dyed locally sourced, and fair trade Indian textile dreams.

This place makes me want to throw away all of my life goals and craft until I kick the can.

Stacy Luce

I was excited to visit this shop, but felt the hype left it lacking upon finally visiting. There were multiple people working, but they were more concerned with orders and shipping than being present. The yarns and colors are beautiful, but don't feel accessible for someone like me (and I wouldn't consider myself a beginner by any stretch). Many samples didn't seem to have patterns, and the staff didn't feel approachable. The dye kits look fantastic but are pretty pricey.

Chinua Matthews

Such a great yarn store with a wide variety of weights, fiber types, colors, and prices! They also work with local farms in California to produce their own yarns which are also naturally dyed in house! The staff is also very friendly and knowledgeable and ready to assist you in picking yarn for your next project!

Rosa Maria Quiñones (Rose White)

Beautiful store run by lovely folks. Naturally dyed yarns, many of them locally sourced, are one of the main attractions here, along with a terrific selection of millspun yarns. Tools and notions for knitting, sewing, and spinning, as well as a curated collection of fabrics for garment sewing, fill out the space. If you're visiting the area and only have time for one yarn shop, this is the one!

Rachel Martel-Herlihy

I have wanted to visit this store for a long time and now that I'm living in Berkeley, I can't, because as a Jewish woman, I observe the Shabbat on Saturdays and this is their only open day. To make matters worse, I thought "ok, maybe once the sun goes down in the winter on Saturday I'll go" but they close at 3pm, so it's just impossible

So disappointing that as a Jewish woman I can not patronize this store

Leah Zani

I love this local fiber/textile shop! Amazing selection of curated yarns, embroidery floss, fiber, and fabric by the yard. The shop showcases local, naturally dyed products and natural dying supplies. A real community gem.