Some of the best shops in Colorado are the ones you almost walk past. In an older Fort Collins neighborhood, a yarn store hides behind a regular house, tucked into a two-story carriage house with chickens out front and chairs set up for knitting in the sun. First-timers often think their map app made a mistake.
It did not. Inside, shelves of carefully chosen yarn share space with finished samples, books, buttons and bags, and the staff will happily help match a tricky pattern to the right skeins. There are small classes upstairs, a Tuesday knit night and free skill lessons on Wednesdays.
Keep reading to learn how to find the unmarked door, when to go, and why so many Northern Colorado crafters call this little backyard building their favorite stop.
1. A Backyard Address on Mountain Avenue
The shop is called My Sister Knits, and it sits at 1408 W Mountain Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80521, in the United States. The entrance is on Mountain Avenue, which matters more than you might think.
From the sidewalk, the property looks like a home. That is because the front building is a house, and the yarn store lives in the converted carriage house behind it.
Plenty of first-time shoppers pause at the curb and double-check their phones. The address is correct, and the reward is just a few steps farther back.
Mountain Avenue runs west from the heart of Old Town through a stretch of established residential blocks. That setting gives the store a neighborhood feel instead of a strip-mall one.
For Front Range residents, it makes an easy add-on to an errand day in Fort Collins. Folks coming up from the Denver area can fold a stop into a broader trip north without much planning.
The building itself has two levels, connected by a single set of stairs. Shopping happens on the main floor, and classes gather upstairs.
So the first lesson here is simple. Trust the address, walk past the house, and keep going.
2. The Door That Plays Hard to Get
Every hidden retreat needs a little mystery, and this one delivers it at the front door. The sign sits all the way to the right of the building, while the actual door on the left side is unmarked.
That small quirk trips up a lot of newcomers. Some shoppers admit they spent a moment circling before they figured out how to get in.
Here is the shortcut. Once you spot the sign, look to the opposite end for the entrance.
Families on vacation have described thinking they landed at the wrong place entirely. A house, a yard and no obvious storefront can do that.
Still, the slight confusion tends to fade fast once people are inside. Many say the tucked-away layout actually adds to the charm.
There is something satisfying about a shop that does not shout for attention. It rewards the curious and gives regulars a fun insider detail to share with friends.
If you bring someone new along, consider letting them find the door on their own. It makes for a good story later, and nobody stays lost for long.
3. Chickens, Sunny Chairs and a Small Dog
Not many yarn stores come with a flock. Out front of the carriage house sits a small chicken coop, and during the day shoppers can stop to say hello.
Next to it, a handful of chairs form an outdoor knitting area. People settle in to sit in the sunshine and work a few rows before or after shopping.
Then there is the dog. A tiny pup, named Nell according to one happy regular, has become a quiet celebrity among return customers.
Those details matter more than they seem. They turn a quick supply run into a short break from the week.
Parents who need an hour of grown-up time may find this setup especially appealing. It is low-key, outdoors when the weather allows and free to enjoy.
The backyard setting also explains why so many people use the word cottage when describing the place. It reads less like retail and more like visiting a crafty neighbor.
Just remember the hens keep their own schedule. Daytime hours are the best bet for a proper barnyard greeting.
4. Shelves of Carefully Chosen Yarn
Curated is the word that keeps coming up. The selection here is chosen with care rather than stacked to the ceiling with every brand on earth.
Shelves stay nicely organized, which makes browsing less overwhelming for beginners. Experienced knitters note that they find items they have not seen elsewhere along the Front Range.
The mix includes local yarns along with options from much farther away. One longtime shopper who has bought yarn around the world still ranks this store at the top.
Because the stock is curated, the exact brand a pattern calls for may not be on hand. The staff is ready for that and will help find something that works.
There is one honest gap worth mentioning. Shoppers hunting for variegated yarn in weights heavier than DK may find the choices thinner.
Prices come up too, in a good way. Several people describe the yarn, accessories and notions as affordable, which is welcome news for anyone on a fixed budget.
Bring your pattern, keep an open mind and expect a few pleasant surprises.
5. Samples That Sell the Project
Ever wonder what a skein will actually become? At this shop, the answer is often hanging nearby.
Finished samples are scattered throughout the store. Ask about a particular yarn, and there is a good chance a knitted or crocheted piece made from it is on display.
That helps shoppers see how a fiber behaves once it is worked up. It takes some of the guesswork out of buying.
The samples also act as quiet inspiration. Many people leave wanting to cast on immediately, which is either wonderful or dangerous depending on your stash.
Beginners benefit most. Seeing a finished hat or sweater makes a pattern feel possible instead of intimidating.
Crocheters are not left out either. Pieces made with a hook appear alongside the knitting, so both crafts feel at home.
A slow lap around the room is the smart move here. The displays reward patience and often spark the next project idea.
6. Beyond the Skein: Books, Buttons and Bags
Yarn may be the star, but the supporting cast is strong. Shelves also hold books, buttons, project bags, notions and even candles.
Hats and other accessories round out the mix. Shoppers mention cool finds that make browsing fun even when the yarn budget is already spent.
Pattern selection gets nods as well. Having patterns and materials in one spot saves a second trip.
Small notions are often what stall a project. Running out of stitch markers or needing the right button can halt progress, and this shop tends to cover those needs.
The accessories also make easy gifts for crafty friends. A project bag or a nice book is a safe bet for knitters who already own plenty of yarn.
Hand winding is another service worth knowing about. After a purchase, staff may offer to wind a hank so it is ready to use.
That small step can save a long evening wrestling with tangles at the kitchen table.
7. Help That Turns Patterns into Plans
Swapping aran yarn for worsted is no small task, yet the team here handles it calmly. Friendly, knowledgeable staff is the most praised part of the whole experience.
Novice knitters describe the crew spending real time translating pattern instructions into actual skeins. They lay out the choices and explain what each one means for the finished piece.
Even on busy days, the pace stays patient. One shopper arrived to a packed room and still received unhurried attention, as did everyone else.
The sisters behind the name work alongside other staff, including longtime team members regulars mention by first name. They seem genuinely excited to see what customers are making.
That warmth extends to everyone. A male knitter who had felt judged in other shops found real enthusiasm for his work here.
Small and simple projects get the same interest as ambitious ones. Nobody needs to feel like a beginner is a bother.
Bring questions, a pattern and maybe a half-finished piece. The conversation tends to be part of the fun.
8. Classes Upstairs and Free Wednesday Lessons
Head up the stairs and the store becomes a classroom. The second floor hosts classes that are small and personal.
Instructors get warm praise, and the size keeps things manageable. Learners can ask questions without feeling lost in a crowd.
Free Wednesday skill lessons are a standout. Regulars credit them with helping their knitting take real leaps forward.
That price tag of zero is hard to beat for retirees and anyone watching costs. It turns skill building into an easy weekly habit.
Beginner and intermediate knitters seem to benefit the most. Master knitters in the group add encouragement and a bit of friendly inspiration.
Class topics and schedules can change, so checking the shop website before planning a visit is wise. Staff will also happily share details in person.
Learning in a backyard carriage house has a certain charm. It feels less like school and more like a club worth joining.
9. Tuesday Knit Night and a Real Community
Tuesday is the late night, and for good reason. The shop stays open until 8 PM and hosts a knit night that draws a loyal crowd.
Open knitting time is part of the appeal too. Staff are quick to tell newcomers about these gatherings.
A welcoming community is something people mention again and again. Even the customers come across as friendly and connected.
Some shoppers note a snack or sweet treat waiting on occasion. It is a small touch, but it adds to the hospitality.
Many locals bring visiting friends and family here, especially the crafty ones. Others who live farther away make it a point to return whenever they pass through Fort Collins.
For someone new to town or newly retired, a weekly knitting circle can be a gentle way to meet people. The shared hobby makes conversation easy.
Bring a project, grab a seat and see who is there. Tuesday evenings may become a new routine.
10. Hours, Timing and a Gentle Verdict
Timing is everything with a backyard shop. My Sister Knits opens at 10 AM Tuesday through Saturday and closes on Sundays and Mondays.
Tuesday runs until 8 PM. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday close at 5 PM.
Checking hours before heading out is smart, since the store is closed two days a week. The website lists current details and class information.
Weekday daytime visits can be a good bet for those who want a calmer browse. Saturdays may be busier, though the staff has a track record of staying patient when the room fills.
Remember the door trick. The sign is on the right, and the entrance is on the left.
So is it worth the drive? With 4.8 stars across 44 Google ratings, friendly help, free lessons and affordable prices, the case is strong.
Some shoppers may want more chunky variegated options, and that is fair. For most knitters and crocheters in Northern Colorado, though, this carriage house offers a quiet, welcoming corner worth returning to again and again.
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