I used to get my basic acrylic yarn from Joann’s, but now that they’re gone I’m just buying randomly online what seems to be decent. What are your best stores (online or brick)?
I do buy yarn from places like knitpicks but I also love to spin my own yarn. Would you like to join us on the dark and twisty side? You won’t get hooked, I promise.
I try mainly to work through my stash.
But I try to buy independent from stores in our region.
Fortunately, Wool-tyme is within driving distance. They have a great selection of quality yarns.
Their store offers classes and has knowledgeable and helpful staff. Their clearance section carries a lot of Diamond Yarns (major distributor) discontinued and overstock but is only accessible in-person.
For those not aware, Wool-tyme is also Canada’s largest online yarn store.
They do ship to the United States and other countries. You can select US$ and other currency pricing at the bottom of the page.
It’s a family-owned business, now in its fifth decade. The original owner passed it down to her niece.
It’s got a fiesty history — the original name of the store was Wool-mart and they ended up in court when Walmart came to Canada and tried to force her to change the name.
KnitPicks (I’m a knitter primarily) and they have a sister site, WeCrochet I think; I haven’t used it but you might try it out. I shop for most of my yarn online and have gradually learned over the years what qualities to look for to know if I’m going to like how it feels.
Runners up: Jimmy Beans Yarn
Eat Sleep Knit
Cascade Yarns
Michael’s bought the JoAnn lines like Big Twist so you should be able to find those again soon. At least, that’s what I heard from a Michael’s employee
I normally thrift my yarn, but Walmart or Micheal’s are good alternatives.
I love thrifting yarn. I’ve even bought sweaters at thrift stores and unwound them into yarn for projects. I’m just stuck in a acrylic project with specific colors that I want to finish and Michael’s colors didn’t quite match as well as I wanted. Might just frog the whole thing and start over.
Herrschners, Hobbii, and Ice Yarns (Ice is hit or miss though, be careful) for online, and if I desperately need something in a hurry, Michael’s is my only big local store. I have a small LYS nearby but their stock isn’t great.
Seconding hobbii, though I mostly buy their cotton yarns. They have rotating sales that change every week on Tuesday morning-ish Denmark time (each lasts 2 weeks), so the trick is to wait until the yarn you want is on sale.
I don’t crochet myself, but my wife gets most of hers from Michael’s.
