Yarn Shopping in Geneva, Switzerland

It is impossible to find yarn in Chamonix, France, so the first chance i got to go to Geneva (Switzerland), i jumped at it. With the first thought being "there'll be yarn there". So i spent two days researching 'yarn shops in Geneva' and one fun day shopping for yarn.

I found the cost of yarn in Switzerland to be really expensive. And most shops mainly stock Lang Yarns which are priced around CHF 7-90 (Swiss francs) per 50g. Lang Yarns are a Swiss company, so it not surprising that the majority shop source most of there yarn from here. As always when visiting place like this i wish i was more confidant in asking to take pictures, but hay, this is why i knit, i am shy and can easily hide behind some knitting.

So here are the results of my research and shopping expedition. But if you know any better, please tell me in the comments and i'll update this.

The Research

First or all don't get confused between yarn shops in Geneva, Switzerland and Geneva, NY, USA. The yarn shops in Geneva, NY look great but you can't find them in Switzerland.

Most of the blogs and websites i read mentioning yarn shops in Geneva were very old and often had dud links or no links at all.

The best site i found was Knitmap.com, i did a search for Geneva, Switzerland (leaving all the search criteria boxes unchecked). This bought up five store in Geneva and as i did not find any other shops selling yarn, i assume that this is it.

For more yarn shops in Switzerland try the listings on Lang Yarns website.

View Geneva Yarn Stores in a larger map The Shops

The Shops

au Dé d’Argent

Rue de la Servette 76, Genève, 1202 

Tram Stop: Poterie (line 14) 

Web: http://www.audedargent.com/

This is a cute shop about a 15 minuet walk from the Bastique de Notre Dame de Geneve or main train station. 

This shop had the best range of sock yarn out of all the shops i visited in Geneva. If you are looking for sock yarn, this is the place to go. As well as sock yarn they stocked a range of other yarns, notably Lang Yarns. 

As well as yarn they stocked a good range of notions, buttons, etc. I also noticed a number of hand knitted items for sale, such as hats. 

As i have way too much sock yarn at the moment, i resisted the urge to buy more and left the shop empty handed.

Claudine Laine Creations

Boulevard Carl- Vogt 63, Genève 1205 

Tram Stop: (take trollybus 2 or 19) 

Website: http://laine-creation.com

This is another small cute shop knitting shop, within walking distance of the old town. The lady in the shop was very friendly, she pointed out my Wurm hat, and tried to find the pattern in one of her books. She did not speak very good English, but i managed to cobble enough French/Franglais together to hopefully explain that i got the pattern off Raverly. Again this small shop mostly stocked Lang Yarns, but i managed to come away with three balls of Filstura Di Crosa (Zara Plus), which is destined to become a hat.

Le Roulet

Place du Marché 5, Carouge (GE), Genève 1227 

Tram Stop: Marche (Line 12)

Website: http://www.lerouet.ch

This is one of two Yarn shops in the Carouge area of Geneva, the other being Tricolaine on the next street. This was is of the largest yarn shop in Geneva. It is laid out in a very open fashion. They stock mostly Lang Yarns, in nearly every conceivable colour. As well as yarn they stock notions and kits. I was a bit disappointed given the size of the shop, of the lack of variety of yarn. They have so much space, it was a shame to see it go to waste.

Tricolaine

Rue Roi Victor Amé, Carouge (GE), Genève 1227

Tram Stop: Marche (Line 12)

Website: www.tricolaine.ch (seems not to be working)

This was one of my favourite that i visited. It is a very small shop, but they have a good selection of yarn that can't be found in the other stops. Most of the yarn that they stocked seemed to be imported, and included, Debbie Bliss, Rowan, Louise Harding, Zitron (i bought two balls of Nimbus) and Noro. I also noticed that they stocked knitting books in English. This shop is only a short walk from the other yarn shop in Carouge, Le Roulet. There is not much overlap in stock in these two shops, so if you only visit one place for yarn i recommend that you visit Carouge and hit both shops at the same time. 

Manor Department Store

Rue de Cornavin 6, Ginevra, Geneve 1201

Tram Stop: (Coutance) also Cornavin train station

Website: http://www.manor.ch/

The yarn/notions department can be found in the basement of the Manor Store. They stocked a good range of yarn, mostly Lang Yarns and their own label yarns called Maddison (Wikipedia link). Some of the yarn they stocked was relatively cheap (relative to Swiss prices) and they also had some yarn on sale. They also stock a very good range of needles, notions and even a few fabric.