Forget the old lady connotations: These days, yarn and needles make for some fashionable dress. Division Street's Nina is the perfect place to get acquainted with the ins and outs of the purling world. The shop swaps curled up kittens and teacups in favor of Zen-inspired decor, making the Wicker Park space more urban art gallery than granny's living room.

Nina stocks a dashing set of fibers: Expect threads made out of mohair, silk, alpaca and bamboo alongside metallic yarns and hand-dyed ribbons. The colorful goods are carefully arranged on long, dark wood shelves (read: no plowing through bins of yarn). Two-part classes are aimed at knitting novices, so call the shop to get your stitch on. But if you're more the pret-a-porter type, stock up on ready-made yoga bags, fingerless gloves, woven purses and baby hats.

Centerstage Reviewer: Jennifer Berg