Some knitters plan vacations around waterfalls or mountain views. Others plan them around a single yarn shop in Hood River, and they come home with suitcases full of skeins. One traveler stopped in three times during a four-day stay and still wished she had bought twice as much.
That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident. The shop behind it has earned a perfect five-star standing from dozens of customers, ships yarn across the country, and treats beginners like seasoned pros. Keep reading to find out where it is, what fills its shelves, why people linger for hours, and how to time a visit around its short daily hours.
A Yarn Destination on Third Street
Downtown Hood River holds a secret that serious knitters already know about.
Knot Another Hat sits at 11 3rd St #103, Hood River, OR 97031, right in the heart of this Columbia River Gorge town in Oregon. It is a dedicated yarn store, and it takes that job seriously.
The storefront looks modest from the sidewalk. Plenty of first-timers are surprised to learn the space is much larger than it appears from the street.
Inside, the shop is built around one mission: helping people knit and crochet with good materials and good guidance. Yarn, notions, tools, books, and patterns share the floor.
The shop has been around long enough to build a following that stretches well beyond Oregon. Some customers have been ordering from it for more than a decade.
For Oregonians who care about keeping familiar local businesses alive, this is exactly the kind of independent shop worth supporting. It is small-town retail with a reach that goes far past city limits.
And it has managed to keep every single one of its 41 public ratings at a full five stars, which is a rare stitch to pull off.
Bucket List Status for Traveling Knitters
Few yarn stores land on anyone’s bucket list. This one does.
Travelers have crossed it off their must-visit lists and left saying it lived up to the buildup. Others have told friends to schedule a trip to Hood River as soon as they can.
One out-of-town shopper visited three separate times during a short four-day stay. She went home hundreds of miles away and still regretted not buying more.
The pull is strong enough that some fans joke about relocating just to work through the inventory slowly. Budgets tend to take a hit, and nobody seems too upset about it.
A few loyal customers live far away and keep shopping anyway. One longtime fan orders from San Diego simply because the shop earned that loyalty years ago.
That kind of reputation turns a quick errand into a planned stop. Knitters map their gorge drives so they land in town during open hours.
So the road trip is real, and the yarn is the destination.
Shelves Full of Hard-to-Find Skeins
Selection is the headline here, and it shows up again and again in what shoppers say.
The shelves cover all gauges of yarn, so lace knitters and chunky blanket makers can both find a match. Accessories sit right alongside to round out a project.
What really sets the stock apart is the variety. Many customers spot yarns they have never seen in other shops.
Local dyers get real shelf space. Experienced knitters find names they already love, plus new independent dyers they had not discovered yet.
That mix makes the shop a strong stop for anyone tired of seeing the same brands everywhere. It is also a good place to support regional makers directly.
Customers describe the prices as fair for a premium selection, and some call them wonderful. Sales can be generous too, with one discounted skein dropping from 30 dollars to 9.50.
A word of caution for anyone on a strict yarn diet: willpower tends to unravel quickly in this aisle.
Notions, Books, and Shop Swag
Yarn gets the spotlight, but the supporting cast deserves credit.
The shop stocks a well-rounded collection of notions and tools. Needles, markers, and the small extras that make projects go smoothly are all part of the mix.
Books and patterns fill another part of the store. Shoppers mention spending real time browsing them for their next idea.
Sample pieces are displayed around the room. They show finished projects in person, which helps when choosing a pattern or color.
Many shoppers say those samples spark fresh ideas. The displays are also described as cute, which never hurts.
There is also merchandise from local makers. For anyone determined not to bring home more yarn, shop-specific swag offers a souvenir that does not add to the stash.
That swag option is practical for gift shopping too. A non-knitting friend can still go home with something from the trip.
In short, nobody needs a second stop to finish their supply list.
Staff Who Solve Knitting Puzzles
Ask what makes this shop special, and the answer usually points to the people behind the counter.
Helpful staff is the most common praise by a wide margin. They can walk customers through almost any knitting or crochet problem.
Shoppers bring in a challenge, and the team helps sort it out. Names like Jill, Laura, and Sarah come up as part of that welcoming crew.
Beginners get special patience. One new knitter said she was treated like a master knitter while still learning the basics.
Kindness extends past sales too. A traveler whose new sweater had a seam come apart got it repaired by a staff member on the spot.
Families feel welcome as well. One birthday shopper noted how sweet the crew was to her young son.
The overall approach centers on the customer. Staff aim to find the best deal, the best quality, and materials people will actually be able to use.
That is a service philosophy worth knitting into every shop.
A Room Made for Sitting and Stitching
Some shops want customers in and out. This one seems happy to let them settle in.
It is known as a friendly place to sit and knit. Shoppers often find people working on projects while they browse.
The conversations matter here. Customers notice supportive, helpful exchanges happening between staff and knitters across the room.
For regulars who knit in the store, friendships form and skills get shared. Many describe that community as priceless.
There also appears to be a large classroom space. Classes run on a catalog schedule, so it is smart to check the website for current offerings before a visit.
Plenty of shoppers lose track of time. An hour passes easily, and some say they could have stayed all day.
The shop suits a wide range of people. Brand-new beginners, experienced crocheters, and traveling yarn collectors all fit in comfortably.
Bring a project bag, because leaving empty-handed or un-stitched is unlikely.
Phone Orders and Speedy Shipping
Distance does not stop devoted fans. The shop handles online and phone orders with the same care it shows in person.
Customers report that phone ordering is easy and fast. Some have reordered by phone multiple times after a single visit.
Shipping speed gets frequent praise. One online order placed on a Friday arrived the following Monday.
That same order showed the shop’s generous streak. A booklet was out of stock, so it was refunded, and an extra skein was tossed in as a gift.
If something is not on hand, the team orders it quickly. Long-distance customers say that reliability is why they keep coming back.
The staff are described as just as friendly online as they are face to face. That consistency helps explain why some shoppers first met the shop virtually before visiting.
It is a small Oregon business keeping customers in distant states supplied.
Not bad for a shop that looks small from the sidewalk.
Timing the Trip and Final Thoughts
Planning matters, because the open window is short.
Knot Another Hat is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
That four-hour window means road-trippers should build the day around it. Arriving close to opening leaves the most browsing time.
The shop’s website, knotanotherhat.com, is the best place to check classes, sales, and online ordering. Calling ahead also works for questions about stock.
Budgeting is wise. Many shoppers admit their spending stretched further than planned once they saw the shelves.
For anyone who values keeping local Oregon shops thriving, this one is a strong example of what an independent store can be. It serves its neighbors while welcoming travelers from all over.
The verdict is simple. With deep selection, patient experts, and a community that sticks around, this Hood River shop has earned its place on many knitting itineraries.
Pack an empty tote, check the hours, and let the gorge drive lead somewhere soft.
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