Where to find the best places to purchase weaving yarn and other materials has been one of the most asked questions in every class and workshop that I have taught. Ideally, everyone would have a local yarn store (LYS as it is affectionately known) in their area, but some of us are not lucky enough to have a LYS in our area that sells weaving yarn.
Instead, we can browse the many great online yarn stores and order from all over the country and the world!
When I was at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for undergrad in the Craft department, I was pretty spoiled when it came to materials.
Cabinets full of a wide range of different fibers in lots of colors.
I miss the yarn cabinet.
Even one yarn I fear I may never be able to find again.
Like most art students, after graduation I was stuck with the arduous task of starting up my own studio. This meant, primarily, purchasing materials.
I was at a loss.
The type of yarn that is best for weaving unfortunately was not what you could find in any regular craft store.
I wish.
So I get it.
I understand that ordering yarn online is not always ideal.
We want to feel the yarn!
That being said, sometimes that is the choice you have.
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Tip: Look out for yarn sample cards that you can purchase if you’re not in a hurry for something specific. They are a great way for you to be able to feel the yarn and see the available colors in person.
Thank you internet!
Luckily, most online yarn stores know that it is not a perfect situation – so they offer a lot of useful information in regards to their yarns. Most of them also offer weaving tools and supplies as well. You can order yarn for your stash, plus looms, shuttles, beaters, pick-up sticks etc.!
So here are some of my favorite online yarn stores and I have included their brick and mortar locations in case they also happen to be your LYS (lucky you!) These are all stores where you can find yarns suitable for weaving- unlike the novelty yarns found at most craft stores.
Although, novelty yarns can make for interesting weft.
The Woolery
859 East Main Street, Suite 1A. Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
The Woolery is one of my favorite online yarn stores! Full disclosure: I am an affiliate, but only because I like them so much! I always check them first when I am looking to order new yarn or supplies.
Every time that I have ordered from them, they have always been efficient and I have never had any issues. The Woolery is always quick to answer questions and I love that they have a chat feature (they ask that you please weave a message) on their website to talk to someone even quicker!
They have a fantastic selection of yarns in many different colors that are categorized by yarn type making it easy to find what you are looking for. You can search through pages of cellulose, protein, synthetic, and other weaving yarns. Make sure to look at the info they offer on the yarns they sell. You can find useful stats including ypp, recommended warp sett, and more!
They also offer a wide range of looms (floor, rigid heddle, and frame) as well as weaving tools, and other fiber art tools. The majority of their equipment is new, but sometimes you can navigate to their used equipment page to find some deals!
The Woolery has also recently debuted a new area on their website devoted to earth friendly products so that you can find sustainable materials and even fair trade baskets all in one place!
If you also like to dabble (or get full into) other fiber arts then make sure to check out their different categories devoted knitting/crochet, felting, spinning, dyeing, and more.
Yarn Barn
930 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044
Yarn Barn of Kansas is my second go to yarn store. They are probably one of the first that I ever ordered from and I have never had any issues with them.
Shipping is quick and I appreciate their great customer service as well as how easy their website is to maneuver. They include a lot of great information about all their yarns in case you have any questions about their use. One thing that Yarn Barn does that I really like is they often include potential uses for each yarn (great for towels etc.) This can help you to determine if it will drape well or if it will hold up to heavy use.
Yarn Barn separates their yarn first by type of Fiber Art and then by type of fiber. You know you are viewing only weaving yarns when you go through that category on their site. *Note that just because it is a weaving yarn, that does not mean it is necessarily suitable for warp.
Knitters, crocheters, dyers, and spinners – do not worry! Yarn Barn has stuff for you too!
There have been 2 times that I ordered something from them that would take a few days longer to come than expected – and they actually called me to let me know and give me the chance to change my order if needed.
Great customer service!
Webs
75 Service Center Rd, Northampton, MA 01060
I have neither visited or ordered from Webs before, but they are one of the larger online options.
Webs has a very large selection of different weaving yarns (and other fiber tools), but some of their yarns tend to be just a little more expensive than the other stores.
That being said, they may have something that the others do not – so they are definitely worth a look! Just like Yarn Barn they are organized by type of fiber art and they include a lot of useful information such as recommended warp sett and type of project.
I have heard good things about Webs, so I would love to know your experience with them!
Earth Guild
33 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
I have never purchased from Earth Guild online, but I have purchased some cotton from them in store.
They are located about an hour from Penland School of Craft if you decide to make a day trip when you are there for a workshop. The staff was knowledgeable and they have a lot of products to choose from.
Their website is not as user friendly as The Woolery or Yarn barn due to the way they have it organized. They also have less to choose from when it comes to yarn, but they do carry Dragon Tale cotton yarn which I am quite fond of.
While their website design is not ideal, you may still want to give them a chance if you are looking for something specific.
Some other options for buying yarn online that are worth checking out:
Etsy (order handspun and hand-dyed yarns from independent artists!)
Dick Blick (I have ordered a lot of stuff from them – just never yarn. Find yarn under the Craft section)
Amazon (I have never ordered yarn from Amazon, but I have purchased other materials like tapestry needles)
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Hi, I just read your post, and have to agree with your comments on yarn sources. I wanted to comment on WEBS. They are my local yarn store, about an hour and 15 minutes away. I love going to be able to see and touch the yarn. Their weaving yarn section isn’t huge, but ample. They have a nice discount when you buy bulk. When I bought yarn to weave 3 shawls, the savings added up to the equivalent of a cone and a half of yarn. That was nice! I sometimes find they are out of products, but overall, they are quite well stocked. Plus I love being able to go and try looms and spinning wheels and talk to people to get info.
I recommend WEBS, but I do lover The Woolery more.
How awesome that you have WEBS as your LYS! That is very lucky! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Oh man, thank you for reminding me about the yarn cabinets in the Crafts Dept @ VCU. I loved it too and had not thought of it in years. Love the online suggestions. Thank you.
They were such a great resource! Glad I could bring you down memory lane <3
Okay, I LOVE this list! I have ordered from a couple of these places before, but there are a lot of new options here. I love crocheting, it’s something that I have done for a good part of my life, and finding quality yarn (at a good price) is key!
Yay! So happy to hear it!
I love Webs! We used to drive all the way from Westchester to purchase yarn in bulk. I could have spent hours there…
Judging from their online stock – I would be in HEAVEN if I got to visit them in person!
Great recommendations for artists and hobbyists. Thank you for compiling this information. Pinned to share.
I am happy you found it useful! Thanks for the share!
I will definitely keep these resources in mind since I love to make lots of art with yarn. Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂