Second Story Knits in Baltimore: Indie Yarn Shop with Classes and a Curated Pattern Library

Second Story Knits is an independent yarn retailer located on the second floor of a Federal Hill storefront, stocking fingering through bulky-weight yarns alongside needles, notions, and an unusually deep selection of knitting patterns organized by difficulty and construction method.

What Second Story Knits actually is

The shop occupies roughly 800 square feet and positions itself between big-box craft suppliers and yarn-bombing tourist shops. The inventory skews toward natural fibers (merino, wool blends, alpaca, cotton) from independent dyers and established mills, with price points ranging from $8 to $28 per skein depending on fiber content and yardage. Unlike chain retailers, Second Story carries a curated back catalog of pattern booklets alongside contemporary indie designs, making it a practical stop for knitters working from specific printed instructions rather than downloading PDFs. The space functions as both a retail shop and a gathering point; regularity and repeat customers drive the culture here, not foot traffic.

Yarn selection and pricing

Fingering-weight merino runs $12 to $16 for 400-500 yardage. DK and worsted weights sit in the $14 to $22 range. Specialty fibers like hand-dyed sock yarn or bulky alpaca push toward the upper end. The shop does not stock acrylic or synthetic blends; if a customer needs budget yarn for a test knit or large project, Second Story will direct them elsewhere rather than stock it. This positioning means the audience is knitters committed enough to invest in fiber quality, not absolute beginners shopping for a single skein to learn on.

Printed patterns span indie designers and reprints of vintage Patons and Fleischer instructions, with most booklets priced $4 to $8. This distinguishes Second Story from both chain craft stores (which stock minimal patterns) and purely digital-first shops (which sell nothing in print).

How Second Story Knits compares to other Baltimore yarn options

Joann Fabrics operates locations in Hunt Valley and White Marsh with broader but shallower yarn selections, heavier acrylic stock, and pattern racks focused on seasonal projects. Joann suits someone grabbing yarn for an immediate baby blanket or scarf; Second Story suits someone working a complex Fair Isle or lace shawl over six months. Local yarn swaps and pop-up markets also circulate through Baltimore's maker community, but they are irregular and inventory-dependent; Second Story provides consistent, reliable access. Online retailers like Webs or Yarn.com offer wider selection and faster shipping; Second Story's edge is in-person consultation, the ability to feel fiber before committing, and class instruction tied directly to the yarn stocked.

Services and classes

Second Story offers drop-in and structured knitting classes taught by experienced instructors, with beginner sessions typically running $25 to $35 per two-hour class depending on whether materials are included. Small-group advanced classes (colorwork, lace, cable architecture) cost similarly but assume foundational skills. The shop can also wind yarn on request and offers basic pattern consulting at no charge for purchases made in-store. Custom orders of specific dyes or rare yarns are possible but take 2 to 4 weeks; confirm availability and lead time by phone or email rather than assuming stock.

Who Second Story Knits suits and who it does not

This shop serves active knitters who already understand gauge, yardage, and construction. Someone picking up knitting from a friend or YouTube can learn the basics anywhere; Second Story is not the entry point. Knitters working on their tenth project, troubleshooting a lace pattern, or hunting a specific merino blend will find value in both inventory and staff knowledge. Gift shoppers looking for a novelty item or travelers seeking a souvenir will be disappointed by a shop that sells wool, not branded merchandise. Parents buying their child a first craft project will find better pricing and beginner-focused support elsewhere.

What the first visit involves

Walk up the staircase to the second floor. The space is rectangular and well-lit, with organized bins and shelves making it easy to browse by fiber type and yardage. Yarn is arranged by weight and color rather than brand, which requires some self-directed exploration but rewards it with unexpected combinations. Ask staff about a project you are working on; they will ask specifics about gauge, yardage, and fiber preference rather than pushing the highest-margin option. Allow 45 minutes to an hour if you are selecting yarn for a new project; 15 to 20 minutes if you already know what you want.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Second Story Knits operates Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays). Street parking is available on the Federal Hill block but fills mid-morning on Saturdays; a lot one block south offers metered spaces. The storefront is not wheelchair accessible due to the interior staircase. Call 410-625-5486 to confirm weekend hours before visiting, as holiday closures rotate and summer schedules occasionally adjust.

Second Story Knits fills a deliberate gap in Baltimore's retail landscape: serious fiber at local prices, patterns printed and ready, and instruction connected to what you actually buy.