About Us

wabi sabi: a Japanese aesthetic philosophy centred on finding beauty in the imperfect, the unfinished, and the impermanent.

Wabi Sabi is an independently owned, women-run yarn and fibre arts store on Wellington Street West in Ottawa, Ontario. We’ve been part of this neighbourhood for over 15 years, and we’re proud to be a fixture in the Hintonburg community: an area known for its locally owned shops, galleries, cafes, and a genuine culture of supporting independent business.

What We Sell

We carry yarn, fibre, needles, hooks, spinning and weaving equipment, books, patterns, kits, and accessories. Our focus is on natural fibres: wool, alpaca, cotton, linen, cashmere, and blends. Most of our products are sourced from Canadian and European producers.

We’re known for carrying quality lines including Knitting for Olive, Malabrigo, and Jamieson & Smith, and we actively seek out and support Canadian independent dyers. You’ll find yarns from local makers like Alley Cat Yarns and Riverside Yarns in our Canadian collection on a seasonal basis. We’re also an authorized Ashford retailer, and we can special order their full range of spinning wheels, looms, and accessories. We don't stock all of their products in the store itself, because we simply don't have room.

We choose our products carefully. We’d rather carry fewer things that are genuinely good than stock everything available. If you’re looking for something specific that we don’t have, ask: we may be able to special order it for you.

Who We’re For

Everyone. We welcome knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners, and felters: beginners and experienced crafters alike. Whether you’ve never held a pair of needles or you’re deep into a complex colourwork project, you’ll find people here who understand what you’re working on and want to help.

We go out of our way to be a welcoming, supportive environment. Everyone is welcome. Prejudice is not.

Learning & Community

Teaching has always been central to what we do. We offer a full schedule of classes in knitting and crochet, from absolute beginner through advanced techniques, taught by experienced instructors. We also run dedicated Project Help sessions for when you need hands-on guidance with something you’re already making.

Beyond classes, we host trunk shows and charity events throughout the year, and our staff are always happy to help with quick in-store troubleshooting or answer project questions by email.

Our Neighbourhood

We’re located in Hintonburg, one of Ottawa’s most distinctive neighbourhoods: dense, walkable, and home to a strong independent business community. We’re a member of the Wellington West BIA, and we’re glad to be part of an area where shopping local isn’t just a slogan.

Street parking is available on Wellington Street West and on nearby side streets. Our address is 1078 Wellington Street West, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 2Y3. If you need accessible entry, please call ahead at (613) 725-5648: we’re happy to open our rear entrance off Melrose Avenue.