Lion Brand Notebook

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What’s Your Favorite Place to Buy Yarn and Why?

June 2nd, 2009 by Ilana

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We’d love to hear your comments about where you purchase yarn, what’s your favorite place to shop and why.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 at 8:57 am and is filed under Community, Quick Poll . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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  • Celia

    My favorite place to buy yarn is Smileys in Queens, NY. There are great sales throughout the year!!

  • http://restlessgrace.blogspot.com Grace

    My favorite places to buy yarns are at yarn stores that are not local to me. Whenever I travel to another town I try to check out the LYS to see what kind of selections are available. I like the opportunity to try yarns that I’ve never seen before and which are only available to me online. Looking for the yarn store is always a bit of a treasure hunt and another fun way to explore a town.

  • http://www.bountifulbusiness.blogspot.com Harriett

    I love to buy yarn at A.C. Moore and Wal-mart. A.C. Moore has pretty good sales at most times and the Wal-mart in my area has there yarn mark down most of the time as well. I have quite a yarn stash and because of these sales, it’s getting bigger. For the most part though-A.C. Moore is my favorite yarn store. I can just move right in and live there. :)

  • Judith Gellerstein

    My most favorite place to buy yarn is my own stash. Most of the time I don’t remember what I actually have in all of the bins and boxes.

    To spend actual cash, it’s an equal split between AC Moore, Michael’s, and Joann.com. There is a LYS just a few blocks away, but I never seem to have time to visit.

  • http://www.thepaintboxstudio.net Donna Callahan

    My favorite place is Ebay. I have purchased fabulous yarns from companies I didn’t know existed. Private sellers offer good choices too. I can check the details of these offerings on Yarndex site and add to my stash. I am a happy knitter.

  • Karen Angold

    I love to go to Jo-Ann’s, but they moved further away. Our Wal-marts hardly have any yarn anymore. I sometimes go Michaels, and AC Moore also. I wish we had an LYS near my place. I have ordered yarn from Knit Picks, but they are expensive. I used a gift card my thoughtful husband gave me for Mother’s Day.

  • Debbie Laukala

    I`m a very very lucky girl. I live in a tiny town in Minnesota and I have 6 lys within 20 miles 2 right in my town. They all speak to one another and none of them carry the same brands, so to name just one I can`t do it, Miss Elise`s carries rowan and tons of sock yarn, Yarn Junkies carries things you can`t find in the big town`s and Debbie Bliss. The others carry diffrent things I don`t find anywere else. I love my tiny little town.
    Debbie

  • Ellen

    AC Moore – coupons and sales, nice selection, not very helpful staff.

    Michaels – coupons and sales, again not very knowledgeable staff.

    Lion Brand Yarn Store in New York City – GREAT selection, GREAT help from staff.

  • Lila

    I do not have preferences but whenever I go I look for a Michaels/Joann, which are the most popular in this area.

  • http://www.boxerpress.typepad,com Kate G.

    My favorite place to buy is at shows where I can meet the vendors, especially the ones that own the animals the yarn is spun from.

  • Annabelle

    I love to buy home-spun yarns from ETSY. It feels like you got something a little special.

    If I can’t find the yarn there, I start at Big Lots because they have boxes of suade, cotton, etc. Then I go to Joanns or Michaels – whoever has the best coupon.

    :)

  • http://extremelifechanges.org valerie andrews

    I love specialty shops, and just love to “fondle” the yarns. I can never walk out with just what I went in for. It’s not a bad thing, because I use all the extra yarn for my charity projects (www.crochet4charity.ning.com) When I am home, I shop first at JoAnn’s, then A.C.Moore, and Michaels. They all have nice sales, and a great selection of LBY’s. I use other yarns, but always come back to LB, for the best quality and selection.

  • http://quandoavistei.blogspot.com Silvia McFarland

    My favorite place to buy is Stitches & Scones in Westfield, IN. Not only do they have a great selection at very decent prices, everyone there is wonderful. :-)

  • Ger Romano

    My favorite place is on the Internet. I have tons of shops bookmarked…that way I can compare prices and buy at the best price. I also wander through thrift shops and occasionally come across a bag of really nice yarns….sometimes still in their original wrappers. And I love the hand dyed yarns you can get on Etsy.

    The “boutique” yarn shops here are very overpriced and I can usually find the same on-line. And last, but not least…there is my precious STASH!!!

  • karen dewilllers

    I have been lucky enough to get a good deal of my yarn at a local Dollar store. They frequently carry discontinued Lion Brand yarns….for $1 a skein.

    I also have taken the truly “green” way of going to various thrift stores and after shifting though sweaters at $5 or so I buy them and dismantle them. That way I can find silk/wool blends at very affordable prices. Sometimes I will buy yarn at Joanne’s or Michael’s but I find it more fun to find the old sweaters and recycle them from the very beginning.

    These techniques let me “play” at various patterns that I feel too scared to invest a lot of money in….never knowing if I will be able to actually make the project and that it will fit the person I’m trying to fit

    karen

  • Queensillybear

    HobbyLobby has a nice selection followed by Michaels and Joanne’s. One of our LYS has a snotty attitude if you aren’t dropping $200+ you aren’t worth there time.

  • Laura Friend

    West Virginia doesn’t have a lot of yarn shop choices other than the chains and for some of us in rural areas those aren’t even nearby. I love to visit “The Nest” in Bridgeport WV. It’s a lovely little shop located in a small shopping center with a little french cafe and decorating shop. The staff is knowledgeable and encouraging. The yarn selections are just lovely and very reasonably priced. The Nest also offers many classes and acts as a gathering place for local knitters. If you’re ever in that area it’s a treat. Here’s a link to their blog spot with great shop pics.

    http://www.nestmusings.blogspot.com/

  • dhj

    Since I can’t get out my favorite places are LB Yarns 1st and they are very generous with their patterns and enjoy the newsletter, Herrscheners and they’re very good abt answering queries and quickly, Ebay, deals deals and more deals!
    Happy hooking one and all!

    dhj

  • Cindy F.

    I currently buy yarn mostly through Walmart, Michaels or Hobby Lobby, but I wish, wish, wish there was a Lion Brand store or something very similar near me. I keep thinking I’m going to open my own yarn store, perhaps I should just do it!

  • Dee

    I like to buy from A C Moore they are always polite, good sales and they will order what I need.

  • http://www.apryldeeterphotography.blogspot.com apryl

    i really like lion brand, sad to see that my local hobby lobby looks like it’s not going to be carrying the brand anymore & i don’t shop joann’s because they are a pretty rude bunch at all the stores around here & their selection stinks.

    i like 3 local stores: the shuttle shop in warsaw, IN and ewe-nique knits in goshen, IN and sarah jane’s yarn shoppe in ft. wayne, IN!

  • http://SimplySusan.etsy.com Susan L.

    My fave place to buy yarn is My Sister’s Knits in Beverly, a little town just west of the city of Chicago. It’s an hour’s drive from where I live but it is SO worth it. The store’s motto is “Come for yarn, leave with a friend” and it’s so true. The owner just couldn’t be nicer and there’s always two very friendly Golden Retrievers waiting at the door to greet you. Not to mention she has the best stash of Malabrigo in a 50 mile radius!

  • Anna

    My favorite place to buy yarn is Michaels, in Pasadena, CA. It has some low priced yarns for testing some patterns and has some really good variety and always find the best varieties. The best is ordered wool yarn to make time tested patterns for Gifts.

  • Deborah

    Fred Meyer is my favorite store for yarn. I can actually get wool yarn there which I haven’t been able to find in my local quilt shops. Sadly, I haven’t been able to find any private shops that sell only yarns.

  • Shirley Dilts

    I buy at Walmart, ebay, Hobby Lobby. I have a large plastic bin full of yarn. I still have to look on ebay and in the store when I am shopping. I just love to buy more yarn.

  • Dawn

    I love A.C. Moore for my yarn because they always carry my favorite Bernat – but Joanns is my second best with Micheals leading last (they just finished stocking their shelves) I have to look for some yarn on the internet though because none of the stores will have a certain type in my brand – Love yarn Love Yarn

  • http://patcreates.wordpress.com Patti

    I buy most of my yarn at Joann’s. A new, large store opened up in my area in November and their yarn section is great! I just wish they would put the Vanna’s Choice on sale more often. :)

  • Brenda Bronstein

    Smiley’s is number one by me because it is the closest. I am looking forward to an “excursion” into the city to visit the Lion Brand store.
    I also love the excitement of buying off of Ebay.

  • Shelley

    I would love to be able to go into store and find what i want, Currently I am forced to settle for what ever I find online. I would love to get my hands on it and see it first hand before I buy. I do try to buy on sale but I will only buy what I like. I try to buy direct from LB or whatever I am buying, as I am not happy that some stores, like Joannes Micheals, pat catans and Walmart have chosen to close up their yarn/craft departments locally! They will then get none of my money online either! there are few speciality shops around ehre that carry only alapaca or some other single material but those are no fun to shop in unless you want to make something out of that product! Those shops to dont’ inspire me to be creative. It is too limiting! Online it is hard to get a feel for what your getting… so my stash often grows as I search for what I want, color or texture is often difficult to judge.

  • B Fama

    I love my local shop, Trumpet Hill
    501 New Karner Rd., Rosewood Plaza, Albany, NY 12205
    518-533-9622
    If traveling, can’t resist Webs in Northampton MA.

  • Viola

    Queensillybear (#16), what does LYS mean? (just curious).I buy most of my yarn at Michaels. I like the selection Michaels has and I also like that Michaels usually has the the accessories I need to complete my project.

    Zontee says: Hi Viola, “LYS” is short-hand for “local yarn shop” that many yarncrafters use online.

  • Ronnie

    I love to support two local shops, but shop mostly online. Last weekend, I bought fantastic organic dyeable yarn at a farmer’s market in Toronto. I guess I just love to buy yarn! (Maybe that is how my stash has grown so very large)

  • Kelly

    My favorite place to buy yarn is my lys in Buffalo mn or Coon Rapids mn

  • Debbie J

    My favorite place used to be Wal-Mart, but they have down-sized so much. Now I got to Michaels and Hobby Lobby. I don’t know of a yarn store anywhere close to me.

  • http://bumblebeecreations.blogspot.com Tonka

    I’m lucky enough to be near WEBS during the school year, but aside from that I really like Michael’s and A.C. Moore. Walmart also has great prices, especially on Vanna’s Choice.

  • Carol

    We only have 2 places here to buy yarn, Michael’s and Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is cutting down on the crafts department here so soon will only have Michael’s left..

  • Amelia M. Cabral

    Goldsteins 5&10 here in Taunton, MA
    They hace been in business for a gazillion years, run by the same family. It’s an old store, wooden floors amd yarn piled to the ceiling! Literally! Can’t find a yarn or color? Just ask. They will drag out an ancient ladder, climb to the ceiling and find what yu want. They carry mostly Red Heart and still have some of the older colors.
    Thr store also carries anything and everything. You can hardly move down the aisles. Whatever you need it’s in there somewhere.
    My children loved the place and now it’s my DGS favorite haunt.

  • Diane

    My favorite places to buy yarn are Lambspun in Ft. Collins, Colorado; Knitted Peace in Littleton, Colorado; and Colorful Yarns in Centennial, Colorado. All three have wonderful yarns and friendly personnel.

  • Robin

    I am a budget shopper. I receive coupons from Joann’s as well as A.C. Moore. I also shop at Wal-Mart. I love bargains, especially when it is in my favor.

  • Wendy Williams

    My favorite place is when we travel to Orlando I visit two LYS’s there. The Black Sheep and Sip and Knit. I too have decided any town that we go too, I must visit the yarn stores. In Gainesville, Micheal’s just expanded their yarn section and now have all the yummy lion brand yarn’s I’ve been lusting over. Joann’s is okay and Hank’s and Yarnwork’s are good but pricey. I think I shop more for the project so I’ll go to the store that has what I need locally, but when travelling I’ll go to the stores like it’s a field trip. Very exciting.

  • Diane Pierce

    I buy all of my yarn at Joann’s. I like their assortment and their prices. I don’t do items with fancy, expensive yarn. I’m a bargain shopper.

  • Ruby

    Most of my yarn shopping is online. I really enjoy Knit Picks, they offer free shipping with a fifty dollar purchase and the yarns and accessories are wonderful. Also, there are free podcasts and answers for any help needed with knitting.

  • Dvora

    I love Purl Soho in Manhattan for the Blue Sky and other more special yarns. They even wind onto cards for you. :)

  • Trish

    Yarn buying is something to be experienced. But due to my move from the Boston area, I am now pretty much limited to the Internet. Joanne-s usually, but they have upped the amount you need to spend for free shipping and their delivery times is 10 days out.
    Michaels next up, so I can touch the yarn and really see the colors.Thats a once a month trip.
    Crafts etc, for free shipping when Vanna White is on sale.

  • Nancy

    My favorite place to buy yarn is the Lion Brand web site because they ALWAYS have what I need, shipping is easy.

  • Tena

    I do a lot of shopping at Michael’s and A.C. Moore. Great coupons.
    But my favorite place to buy and pet yarn is Cultured Purl in Erie,PA

  • Joann

    Lately I have been buying most of my yarn at AC Moore, because they have good coupons, but also my local Michael’s is re-doing their yarn department. I haven’t been in the store for a while, so I guess I just might have to check it out this weekend.

  • Sharkey

    I just adore all of the truly wonderful yarns at my local yarn store but since I lost my job a couple of months ago I’ve had to seriously cut back on what I spend on my yarn. It happened quite by chance that I discovered that my local Dollar Tree sold yarn- nice, name-brand, yarn. Of course their selections are never the same and its really the luck of the draw when it comes to what’s available but to put it in perspective- the money that would usually get me three or four skeins of yarn at Micheal’s can get me twenty or so at the Dollar Tree.

    Dollar Tree is my yarn source and a true ray of sunshine in these dark economic times.

  • Francine Bonica

    Lion Brand Studio in Manhattan. The yarn selection is fabulous; you can purchase yarn at prices that meet your needs — from inexpensive to expensive; and, most of all, the staff is wonderful. They are knowledgeable about their product, very accommodating, very helpful, and friendly. When you step into LBS, you want to buy everything and just knit, knit, knit.

    Manhattan was in desperate need of a yarn store such as Lion Brand Studio. I had been purchasing most of my yarn online, but there’s nothing like seeing the colors live rather than in a picture and actually touching the product to get the feel of the texture.

    Thank you!

  • Christine Little

    I love Hobby Lobby and JoAnn’s. I use the 40% off coupon and just buy what I need to get me to the next coupon. It saves a lot of money and keeps me going back for more. I love it!! I really enjoy the diverse stock each store has and the employees are really nice. If I want a real exotic yarn, I shop at Threadbear Fiber Arts Studio in Lansing, MI because I love the atmosphere and the quality, plus they have two of the cutest most polite dogs that roam the store and greet you every time you shop!!!

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