Shop Hop Santa Barbara

I went to Santa Barbara for three days last week to do some recon for a knitting retreat in October. We found 3 jewel-box knitting shops, plus great food.

1. Cardigans Knit Shop - 3030 State Street - has plenty of charm plus Rowan and Noro yarns. Lots of inspiration in the form of books, patterns and samples. There is also a pleasant garden out back. This shop is located in the San Roque neighborhood, and is conveniently near a great French bakery, Renauld's, and wonderful bookstore, Chaucer's.
2. Loop and Leaf - 536 Brinkerhoff Avenue - two blocks off lower State Street, this shop has a fabulous selection of hand-dyed, hand-painted, and otherwise hand crafted yarns plus teas. Enjoy your time knitting in the front yard under the shady trees.
3. Knit & Pearl Boutique - 5 E Figueroa Street - just off State Street right downtown near the courthouse, this shop has a lovely selection of yarns including Spud & Chloe, Manos, Classic Elite, and more. They also stock a bunch nice knitting bags by Namaste.

If we'd only had more time...