Where do you buy yarn?

[Donna]

I would be interested to hear where everybody buys yarn. So far, I have bought mine at:

 

Locally:

Weaver's Webb (my LYS), Walmart, Hancock Fabrics, and Michaels.

 

Online:

Beehive Wool Shop

Herrschners

Mary Maxim

[pfirsch]

I"ve been to Weaver's Webb. Donna, I think you live near where I'm from! How funny that I'm all the way in Germany and we meet each other via Internet!

 

Even though I have been told of other stores around here, I only buy yarn at Wolle Rödel. I shop there mostly because it's close and the prices aren't too bad--I just have to ration out my yarn buying money. I think I will buy more stuff off ebay because it's a little cheaper and the selection is greater. Plus, now that I know I can buy stuff from the UK with no real problems, I might start buying yarn from British web sites.

 

While I was in North Carolina, I bought yarn at Wal-Mart, Micheals, and at Needles in Concord. I wish I knew when Caron had their big sale at the end of the year because I think that would be cool to buy the discontinued styles and colors really cheap. Over the Christmas holidays, I missed out because we couldn't find out when the sale was. There's always next year.

[Guest PamCrochets]

I've bought yarn from:

 

<a href="http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home" target="_new">Michaels</a>

<a href="http://www.acmoore.com/" target="_new">AC Moore</a>

Wal-Mart

Ames

<a href="http://www.marymaxim.com/" target="_new">Mary Maxim</a>

<a href="http://www.herrschners.com/default.aspx" target="_new">Herrschners</a>

<a href="http://justyarn.com/" target="_new">Just Yarn</a>

<a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/" target="_new">Lion Brand</a>

 

~Pam

[Julie]

I keep pouting about this the more I read online...

 

Locally, all I have are Wal-mart, Michaels and Hobby Lobby. There is a Joann's too but they are very poorly stocked so I don't bother. I like Hobby Lobby, they have a large selection compared to Wally World and Michaels, but are about 40 miles or so away so I don't go often.

 

I've bought yarn online from Just Yarn in the past, and order mail order through Mary Maxim and Lion Brand catalogs too.

[Guest amyscrochet]

I wish we had more places to shop around here. The biggest selection I can find is Hobby Lobby.

[enmac]

I have to go to my local general craft stores to buy wool and as you'd expect there's a fairly poor selection (although they have a truckload of the trendy eyelash yarn).

 

I'm a bit dubious about buying yarn online though. I think I'd always want to know what it feels like first. For those who have bought stuff online have you been happy with it?

[Julie]

I've been lucky so far, and extremely cautious too. I tend to buy what I need to complete a project, because I've learned the hard way that some computers show colors differently than others and it is really hard to see what something will look like from the little swatch they tend to show. I am more confident buying something from the catalogs, the colors tend to be true and I've always been happy.

 

I would have a hard time buying something that I haven't actually seen, though the completed images of projects that you all have done, and things I can find, help me to overcome that. It's easier to picture the yarns this way - at least to me.

[Ambersafghans]

I buy yarn at Jo-anns and Micheals occasionaly.

I have purchased online from http://www.smileys.com a few times and was pleased with that. The only problem is that now they are running out of Jamie Bonus bundles.

I have also bought from Ebay a few times and although that is diffrent with every case, I was pleased.

Amber's Afghans

http://www.yourcrafts.com/Ambersafghans.htm

[Donna]

pfirsch, that is wild! We moved here about three and a half years ago from the Big City. Um, I know nothing about Caron's end of year sale. Do tell! Are you talking about in little Washington? Because if so, we will have to go together this year!

 

enmac, so far, most of the yarn I have bought online is stuff that I already know about but can't get locally. If I'm not sure, I'll just order a skein or two to check it out. Then I play with it and if I like it, I order enough for my project. Yeah, that is extra $$ in postage, but better than having a big box of yarn you don't want. I save the test skein(s) for small projects or scrapghans since they will be a different dye lot. One great thing is if you can get a swatch card (with real yarn samples) for the yarn you want. Then you can feel it and see all the colors, too. Also, good stores should let you return yarn; check their policy before you order.

[pfirsch]

yarntomato, I am talking about Caron in Little Washington! This is crazy! I wish I had known you were around while I was home this summer--I'm always looking for someone to crochet with. We will definitely have to go to the sale this year. I have every intention of being in the area, but I can't say until Fall whether or not I'll be able to go home.

 

It's a small world after all...

 

Pfirsch

[Donna]

pfirsch, wow!! It is a small world! Yes, yes, too bad we hadn't met before the summer when you were home!

 

I knew Caron was based there, but I didn't know you could actually buy yarn there! Hope you can make it over to the States for the holidays! What fun! I am so excited!

[Ambersafghans]

Hey let me know if you find out when that sale is!

I use Caron for my lap afghans.

http://www.yourcrafts.com/Ambersafghans.htm

[crochetme]

I tend to stick to my LYS for yarn buying; I have so much more fun working with wool or wool blends that I just don't end up happy after a run to Michael's. I think it actually ends up working out for my budget, since I end up pretty much only buying stuff I intend to use right away...

 

But I've been curious about online ordering, too, with the same reservations you all have brought up. Maybe we should share our experiences with different yarns, so when we're thinking of ordering we can be more informed. I'll start a thread for yarn reviews (if there isn't one already), and we can go from there...

[Donna]

But Michaels does have Lion Brand Wool-Ease (20% wool, 80% acrylic). I suppose it is considered low-end in the wool blends, but I rather like it.

 

Also, my LYS is small, and although they have some lovely things, there is not an enormous selection.

[Julie]

My dream is to open my own yarn store someday. One of those perfect little stores that carries everything or if not, can very happily and quickly get it. I wish I wish... but those things take money and I have little of that for those kinds of dreams. Maybe someday... <img border=0 src="http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif" />

[crochetme]

I'll definitely have to try out the Wool-Ease.

 

Confession: I'm in Cambridge, MA visiting family, and just happened upon a store called Woolcott & Co. I went in with my husband, and he convinced me to spend a ton on a gorgeous wool for an afghan for our living room. I never would have bought it if I were alone, but I couldn't resist his insistence (and isn't it always easier to spend when your partner is there with you?)... When I get home and get to use it, I'll add a review and some pics to the yarn review thread.

 

Now all I have to do is finish my first project, start up a go at the crochetme Inaugural Project, and then dive right into an afghan (well, maybe more like a lapghan)...

[Donna]

crochetme, I have family (on dh's side) about 15 miles away in Wayland.

 

I'm looking forward to hearing about your yarn!

[Tiffany]

I typically buy my yarn at Joann's or Michael's, but I've really begun to like using better yarns, so I browse online stores regularly without purchasing anything yet.

 

I'm in a perfect location for feeding my crochet addiction because I have a Michael's and Joann's a block from my house, three LYS within a 20-minute driving distance, and two Joann's superstores within the same distance. The LYS are completely knitting oriented and I've yet to go to the largest because I'm nervous about taking my girls. I went to one and the owner wasn't the friendliest to me with a 4-yr old and a toddler browsing through yarns. So, I'm sticking with browsing through my craft stores that are within walking distance.

[Guest PamCrochets]

Crochetme wrote:

>>Confession: I'm in Cambridge, MA visiting family<<

 

Hey, you're in my neighborhood, sort of. I used to live in East Boston. I move to New Hampshire two years ago, but I still commute to work in the Boston area. :rollin

 

~Pam

[Donna]

I'm enjoying hearing about where everyone buys their yarn! Thanks!

 

Hey let me know if you find out when that sale is! I use Caron for my lap afghans.

I'll definitely let everyone know!

 

My dream is to open my own yarn store someday.

Me too, Julie!

[jennmwalsh]

I usually buy from AC Moore or WalMart...especially since my local AC Moore is getting really good about their yarn choices. I have also bought from Herschnerrs and Mary Maxim, though. I also live in Uxbridge, MA, where Berroco and Bernat were first based, but the factories haven't really been up and running in years...one of them still is, but I forget which one. I live within walking distance of a LYS, but it really caters to knitters, so I don't spend that much time there, except when I'm knitting. I'll admit though, it's nice just having it there for inspiration, and a good springtime walk

[crochetme]

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>Hey, you're in my neighborhood, sort of. I used to live in East Boston. I move to New Hampshire two years ago, but I still commute to work in the Boston area. <hr></blockquote>

 

Fancy that! I just love Boston, but am so glad to be home. Especially b/c I just couldn't get any crocheting done during my entire 12-day trip!...

[Guest morici]

let me guess -- the ac moore in bellingham?

 

it has gotten much better lately true

[jennmwalsh]

LOL, yes. I LOVE that AC Moore...I tried one in Natick a few weekends ago, and it seems so disorganized compared to mine...yarn in seperated aisles. Have you ever been to the yarn shop in Uxbridge? It's nice, albeit small. It's worth a walk through just bc it's the closest LYS around me at least.

[Guest morici]

i go to the one in natick sometimes just because they carry different colors sometimes.

 

no i've never been to the yarn shop in uxbridge although i've driven past it a couple of times -- but always on a sunday -- i think they're closed on sundays

 

there's a shop in milford but i'm not crazy about it. it's too small and all they seem to carry is novelty yarns for making scarves. enough with the scarves already!

 

one day i'd like to have my own shop -- but it would be bigger and have big comfy chairs and i would have coffee and tea and baked goods -- i just need to find the perfect spot for it.