Americo Original

Since I can never miss an opportunity to check out a yarn store, I dropped in a few days ago while visiting Toronto. The yarns (variety and quality) were a delightful surprise and the general store layout was organized and calming. Yarns in the most beautiful color palettes imaginable were a treat for the eyes. Alexandra guided me around and showed me some finished garments using their yarns. I left with yarn and projects (hampered only by the available space in my carry-​on) promising myself to order more off the website. I’ve been to many well stocked LYS but this one is very unique. Their esthetic is rustic elegance — yet their patterns are hip and modern at the same time. It is said that good design is timeless. Rock on, Americo Original. I look forward to all the new projects now in the pipeline and will follow future entries on Facebook.

What a great find! I discovered this store by chance on my first trip to Toronto. I’d never heard of Americo, but I am so glad I walked in. The layout of the store and the placement of the yarn let you know immediately that you are in a high-​end store. To those who have complained about the prices, I would argue that they are in line with other high-​end yarn brands and frankly, in some instances, like with the Briza yarn, of which I bought several skeins, the yardage is a lot more than you’d get from many well known brands.
My sense about the service is that the Americo folks want shoppers to have some privacy while browsing. I was greeted in a friendly manner, I browsed for a while in peace, and then asked questions which were politely answered in a knowledgable way. As I was paying for my purchases, I had a lovely conversation with the lady behind the counter, and she gave me a couple of free skeins to experiment with.
I will definitely go back again and again and again. The yarn is divine and you deserve to treat yourself! This store was a delightful discovery!

I love this store. No, it’s not a basement bargain, but look at the quality (or feel the quality) of their yarns! Their prices are on par with yarns of similar composition from other brands. You cannot compare a $ 4 ball of 200 meters of acrylic to 400m of alpaca and wool yarn.
Their patterns are simple, modern, and functional. Some are a little dull to knit but the results are amazing. I have always found the sales people to be nice and they are very knowledgeable. They help you when you need it but they also leave you alone to browse. They are happy to wind the yarn (most kinds) from hank to ball if you ask.

Love the store, the owners are super nice and very helpful, but the wool is on the expensive side — for good reason though, it’s all amazing quality.

i have never felt so unwelcome in a store until i stepped into this place. I am fairly new to knitting and I excitedly went in there with ideas and subsequently questions in mind. The young lady that was initially helping me was really nice but she was kind of clueless in answering my questions.
As I was browsing the store trying to decide on a type of yarn, I decided to direct my questions to to her «manager» or (whoever that rude lady with long dark hair and glasses). At first, she was pleasant enough that i actually decided on type of yarn that i needed for my project. Then I asked her how many skeins i should purchase and she told me 3 — no explanation whatsoever, just rudely said «three». I asked her if 2 skeins would work (considering each skeins were very pricey!) and she showed me an approximation of what the final project would look like with just 2 skeins and i was completely fine with it so I decided to just grab 2 and told her that if I changed my mind midway through my project, I will definitely come back because they are so close to where i live. Excited, I thanked her and as I was about to walk away to pay for my items, she suddenly took the skeins off my hand and handed me a business card and told me to go online because in her words «you’re clearly not ready to make a purchase» and left to put back the yarns i took. The kicker? there were no other customers in the store. I honestly just stood there for a good minute trying to make sense of what had just happened, and left in a huff.
I mean who does that??? why would you tell me to go online when i am physically at your store ready to spend money on your over priced yarns! Sorry I had questions, but with the store having a no return policy, what would you expect?!
AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!
There are plenty of other yarn shops in toronto (especially in that street too!) that are very welcoming and willing to answer your questions.

I made a (very) last minute decision to fly to Toronto last weekend. My Mum is trekking Tibet and I thought I’d keep my little sister and pup company. The weather report wasn’t looking too pretty — rain, fog, and some more rain. I had the perfect indoor activity for us. Knitting.
On a dreary Sunday, we made our way down Queen Street West in search of yarn. We stumbled upon Americo Original and I fell instantly in love! The yarn selection was swoon-​worthy, the décor was rustic and homey, and the lady behind the counter was super sweet and allowed my pup, Gus, to come in a browse with us.
Beautiful and soft merino wool, alpaca, llama, cotton and silk, in rich colours and different textures. They also have plenty of sample pieces for you to draw inspiration and reference from, though none of these items are actually for sale. Pieces included scarves, handbags, baby clothes, mittens, etc. Their selection of needles were neatly organized in the back, where their yarn inventory and fabrics are kept. Also available for sale are trimmings, buttons, and leathery things.
After all that time spent chatting with other customers and the shopkeeper, we left empty-​handed. As other Unilocalers have noted, the yarn here ain’t cheap; but, I can appreciate quality. Had we had grand plans to knit cute matching mittens or a sweater, I would have jumped on their $ 25 per merino wool skein sale instantly. But until we do, it’s a lovely little shop to peruse. Perhaps over the Christmas holidays when I’m back for a week, will I knit Gus an alpaca cardigan with wooden buttons. Too messing cute, I can see it now.

Love this store, love the yarn, love the lady who runs the store. hate the prices. holy jumpin jehosaphat… make sure you take out a bank loan or plan on buying only one skein of the yummiest yarn ever.
However. upon buying enough yarn for my sister-​in-​laws sweater the store owner gave me a few extra skeins for a pair of matching mittens. Lovely people. Elegant.
I also love the interior design of the store. I keep expecting Robert Redford to come strolling out the back of the store with a cuppa cup.
Another feature that endeared this store to me is that they are carrying awesome buttons. leather, bone and wood. the best for handmade sweaters. And they have this new system where you can use snap ons with a fake button in front. sounds good.
In terms of getting there. don’t drive. Walk or take the streetcar from Uni/​Osgoode.

It looks really cool when I stepped into the store. It’s not just YARN, but also leather stuffs, trimmings, and some fabrics as well. The quality is pretty good and unique.
The price: not so cheap though, I bought few skeins of cotton, it’s super soft and the color is great too!
The staff: I agree with other people’s comments on them, they are a bit strange, a bit cool, and not very friendly.
The 1^st time I went to the store, they didn’t even look at me, nor introduce anything to me. The 2^nd time, I brought my little daughter with me, and they reacted totally different from the 1^st experience.
I should say thanks for my daughter. They actually serve me a lot better and also introduced what kind of yarn is for this /​that projects. Pretty good experience though.
HOWEVER, I don’t think I will go back again, because I would rather use the money to buy some ‘better’ brand yarn. :)

O Americo, I’d like to buy that pretty red bag in the window. Pretty please?
Sorry, it’s only a sample. All of the hand-​knitted items at Americo are «samples only».
O Americo, you tease.
Hmm. I circle the store thinking up another approach.
As my eyes skim the hundreds of skeins of unique yarn, I suddenly find myself dreaming of the many things I could make with the beautifully, handspun threads. That is, if only I could knit such elaborate things.
Plan A:
Approaching the service counter and pouting out my lower lip, I whine, «I really want that bbbbbag. Bbbbbut, all I can knit is an ugly scarf.» With sad little puppy dog eyes, I scan for signs of sympathy. Maybe, just maybe, now they’ll sell me that pretty red bag in the window.
No cigar. The staff won’t budge on the bag. But they kindly tell me that I can make the bag, even if all I can make is a scarf. I’m skeptical. They must be mistaken. I tell them the scarf I’m wearing is not said ugly scarf. I admit to them, my ugly scarf actually resembles a ball of yarn and two needles in my closet.
With the purchase of supplies, you can have your pick of pattern and free knitting classes. Skill levels range from basic to advanced and patterns include the vests, sweaters, shawls, hats, mitts, and of course, bags. I learn that pretty red bag is called the «Miramar Bag».
Supplies are plentiful, but it’s the yarn that catches my attention. The colour range is just my style: earthy, rich, and vibrant. I don’t know what it’s called in yarn terms, but Americo carries everything from skinny to fat diameters, and hairy, fluffy, silky, chunky textures. I’m not familiar with prices for yarn, but at approximately $ 15 per skein, I think that’s a bit hefty. But I think back to the bag, the bag I would’ve bought and I reason a few skeins plus free classes is a reasonable trade-​off.
Plan B:
I take the business card offered to me for the class schedule and decide on an azure blue yarn.
You will be mine Miramar, yes you will…
As I leave Americo, I daydream of my crafty potential. I can’t help but think of the cliché: «if you teach a man to fish…»

sigh. americo. this store is simply gorgeous, but that’s where my compliments end.
the staff are very very strange– when i walk in and the store is empty, they will stop what they’re doing and just watch as i walk around the store and feel the yarns. it’s very awkward and just makes me want to get the heck out.
the prices aren’t *crazy*, but they’re more than i’d pay. i’ve been here quite a few times but have never bought any yarn. the needle selection is good and the prices are a dollar or two cheaper than romni a few blocks down. they carry susan bates circs, unlike any other yarn store i’ve found in toronto, which is a huge plus (they’re just as good as addi’s but $ 10 less)
i stop in here on my way to romni but would never make a special trip