When motoring on long trips, it’s nice to have places to “visit” along the way to break up the drive. Knitters travelling up or down Highway 101 in Southern California are especially lucky, with quite a few dedicated yarn stores to check out. The small town of Carpinteria, just south of Santa Barbara, is the home to Roxanne’s, a multi-craft store with enough cute tchotkes, fabric, yarn, and gifts to while away an entire afternoon!

In terms of crafting, Roxanne’s is primarily a quilting shop with some attention given to embroidery. There is certainly plenty of fabric to marvel over: cloth inspired by African designs, batiks that hearken to Southeast Asia and Oceania, and the products of quilting/knitting designer Kaffe Fassett. If you want to get a head start on Christmas presents, you’re in luck, as the store stocks holiday material early and extensively. Even if you don’t quilt, you’ll find plenty of inspiration wandering amidst the colors as you search for the knitting section of the store.

Comfortable and equally colorful, the yarn room invites lingering. You’ll find craft yarn as well as higher-end lines, making this a great place to know about when you’re traveling and need a lasts-minute project. Luxury stalwarts like Rowan, Debbie Bliss, and Tahki sit cheek-and-jowl next to acrylics; you’ll also find trendy darlings such as Madelinetosh and Noro. Skeins are presented in open cubbies, allowing the browser to handle and ‘pet.’ The store ambance is such that you’ll want to make a purchase here just to carry home some of the vibrant hues and cheerful feeling. One glaring omission, however, is the dearth of luxury sock yarns, a staple of impulse buying for knitters everyone. Here’s hoping that the owners will soon rectify this situation!

Roxanne’s offers patterns in both leaflet and book form, although the selection is somewhat small. The store also stocks gifts for varying tastes. Looking for a sign that says “Keep calm and beach on?” You’ll find it here, and you’ll also find ceramics, scented soap, and lotions.

Roxanne’s is located a few blocks east of the main drag, although you’ll swear it’s south; the coast bends differently in this part of California than it does in other parts. The store sits across the street from the Carpinteria Historical Museum, which is definitely worth another half an hour of your time. Street parking isn’t usually a problem. Hungry and/or thirsty individuals will find many restaurants within a two-block walk.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this local yarn shop. I paid for my purchases with my own funds.

Roxanne’s A Wish and a Dream, 919 Maple Street, Carpinteria, California. (805) 566-1250