- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Americo Original
Categories: Shopping Arts & Crafts Fabric Stores Shopping Fashion Women's Clothing Fabric Stores, Women's Clothing [Edit]
456 Queen St WToronto, ON M5V 2A8
Neighbourhoods: Alexandra Park, Queen Street West
(416) 777-9747
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11 am - 7 pm
Sat 11 am - 6 pm
Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
5 reviews for Americo Original
5 reviews in English
-
Review from Sara N.
10/27/2010
I made a (very) last minute decision to fly to Toronto last weekend. My Mum is trekking Tibet and I thought I'd keep my little sister and pup company. The weather report wasn't looking too pretty -- rain, fog, and some more rain. I had the perfect indoor activity for us. Knitting.
On a dreary Sunday, we made our way down Queen Street West in search of yarn. We stumbled upon Americo Original and I fell instantly in love! The yarn selection was swoon-worthy, the decor was rustic and homey, and the lady behind the counter was super sweet and allowed my pup, Gus, to come in a browse with us.
Beautiful and soft merino wool, alpaca, llama, cotton and silk, in rich colours and different textures. They also have plenty of sample pieces for you to draw inspiration and reference from, though none of these items are actually for sale. Pieces included scarves, handbags, baby clothes, mittens, etc. Their selection of needles were neatly organized in the back, where their yarn inventory and fabrics are kept. Also available for sale are trimmings, buttons, and leathery things.
After all that time spent chatting with other customers and the shopkeeper, we left empty-handed. As other Yelpers have noted, the yarn here ain't cheap; but, I can appreciate quality. Had we had grand plans to knit cute matching mittens or a sweater, I would have jumped on their $25 per merino wool skein sale instantly. But until we do, it's a lovely little shop to peruse. Perhaps over the Christmas holidays when I'm back for a week, will I knit Gus an alpaca cardigan with wooden buttons. Too messing cute, I can see it now. -
Review from ness y.
Toronto, ON
1/24/2009 ROTD 4/10/2009
O Americo, I'd like to buy that pretty red bag in the window. Pretty please?
Sorry, it's only a sample. All of the hand-knitted items at Americo are "samples only".
O Americo, you tease.
Hmm. I circle the store thinking up another approach.
As my eyes skim the hundreds of skeins of unique yarn, I suddenly find myself dreaming of the many things I could make with the beautifully, handspun threads. That is, if only I could knit such elaborate things.
Plan A:
Approaching the service counter and pouting out my lower lip, I whine, "I really want that bbbbbag. Bbbbbut, all I can knit is an ugly scarf." With sad little puppy dog eyes, I scan for signs of sympathy. Maybe, just maybe, now they'll sell me that pretty red bag in the window.
No cigar. The staff won't budge on the bag. But they kindly tell me that I can make the bag, even if all I can make is a scarf. I'm skeptical. They must be mistaken. I tell them the scarf I'm wearing is not said ugly scarf. I admit to them, my ugly scarf actually resembles a ball of yarn and two needles in my closet.
With the purchase of supplies, you can have your pick of pattern and free knitting classes. Skill levels range from basic to advanced and patterns include the vests, sweaters, shawls, hats, mitts, and of course, bags. I learn that pretty red bag is called the "Miramar Bag".
Supplies are plentiful, but it's the yarn that catches my attention. The colour range is just my style: earthy, rich, and vibrant. I don't know what it's called in yarn terms, but Americo carries everything from skinny to fat diameters, and hairy, fluffy, silky, chunky textures. I'm not familiar with prices for yarn, but at approximately $15 per skein, I think that's a bit hefty. But I think back to the bag, the bag I would've bought and I reason a few skeins plus free classes is a reasonable trade-off.
Plan B:
I take the business card offered to me for the class schedule and decide on an azure blue yarn.
You will be mine Miramar, yes you will...
As I leave Americo, I daydream of my crafty potential. I can't help but think of the cliché: "if you teach a man to fish..." -
Review from Janet M.
Scarborough, ON
9/7/2010
Love this store, love the yarn, love the lady who runs the store.. hate the prices.. holy jumpin jehosaphat... make sure you take out a bank loan or plan on buying only one skein of the yummiest yarn ever.
However.. upon buying enough yarn for my sister-in-laws sweater the store owner gave me a few extra skeins for a pair of matching mittens. Lovely people. Elegant.
I also love the interior design of the store. I keep expecting Robert Redford to come strolling out the back of the store with a cuppa cup.
Another feature that endeared this store to me is that they are carrying awesome buttons.. leather, bone and wood.. the best for handmade sweaters. And they have this new system where you can use snap ons with a fake button in front.. sounds good.
In terms of getting there.. don't drive. Walk or take the streetcar from Uni/Osgoode. -
Review from Craftlover K.
Markham, ON
3/19/2009
It looks really cool when I stepped into the store. It's not just YARN, but also leather stuffs , trimmings, and some fabrics as well. The quality is pretty good and unique.
The price: not so cheap though, I bought few skeins of cotton ,it's super soft and the color is great too!
The staff: I agree with other people's comments on them, they are a bit strange, a bit cool, and not very friendly.
The 1st time I went to the store , they didn't even look at me, nor introduce anything to me. The 2nd time, I brought my little daughter with me, and they reacted totally different from the 1st experience.
I should say thanks for my daughter. They actually serve me a lot better and also introduced what kind of yarn is for this /that projects. Pretty good experience though.
HOWEVER, I don't think I will go back again, because I would rather use the money to buy some 'better' brand yarn. :) -
Review from Vanessa V.
8/6/2008
sigh. americo. this store is simply gorgeous, but that's where my compliments end.
the staff are very very strange-- when i walk in and the store is empty, they will stop what they're doing and just watch as i walk around the store and feel the yarns. it's very awkward and just makes me want to get the heck out.
the prices aren't *crazy*, but they're more than i'd pay. i've been here quite a few times but have never bought any yarn. the needle selection is good and the prices are a dollar or two cheaper than romni a few blocks down. they carry susan bates circs, unlike any other yarn store i've found in toronto, which is a huge plus (they're just as good as addi's but $10 less)
i stop in here on my way to romni but would never make a special trip
