Where do you buy most of your yarns?

**ballylarkin** · 01-06-2008, 07:25 AM

Do you purchase them online?

Do you buy them at stores?

I am always struggling with quality vs. cost. I like my yarn to have "body" and integrity. And, I like using yarns that have 25% wool ....mixed with the synthetic stuff. Since I normally make baby clothes I don't want to use all wool, plus it tends to bother my allergies. Another big issue is finding baby weight yarns in colors other than typical baby colors.

When I was younger there was a wonderful line of yarns I always used and now I can't find them in the US anymore. They were from the Pinguoin company. They had such an array of colors. I was greatly
disappointed when they became unavailable.

Any good yarn sources?

**YankeeMom** · 01-06-2008, 10:35 AM

I really like Knitpicks.com They have nice fibers of all kinds & colors.

I also have a slight addiction to handpainted sock yarn, for that I check out TheLoopyEwe.com and Etsy

Pretty much the only yarn I buy in an actual store (because we do not have yarn shops, we have Michael's & Joann's) is LionBrand WoolEase (washable wool/acrylic blend), TLC SoftYarn (a nice acrylic, very soft), and kitchen cotton.

**Mopsiehoney** · 01-06-2008, 11:22 AM

I have to say that I also struggle with quality versus cost. Most of the time I purchase my "gifts" yarn at Michael's. The quality is pretty good and the cost isn't too exorbitant. But if I'm just fooling around with something then I usually pick up yarn at Walmart. That way if I make a big mess out of it, I haven't spent too much money on just a "trying it out" pattern.

**taligator** · 01-06-2008, 12:51 PM

I buy either at KnitPicks (which I love) or at my LYS. Their prices on yarn are comparable to buying online most of the time and the quality is good. I've found that some of the yarns that you can buy in Michael's or Jo-Ann cost about the same as though in my LYS particularly for sock yarn and I much prefer the quality of those in my LYS.

Variety is important to me and I find that the big box stores have the same things all the time and the selection is usually limited so it's not valuable to me to shop there if I don't find what I want or settle for something else.

**ballylarkin** · 01-06-2008, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by YankeeMom

I really like Knitpicks.com They have nice fibers of all kinds & colors.

I also have a slight addiction to handpainted sock yarn, for that I check out TheLoopyEwe.com and Etsy

Pretty much the only yarn I buy in an actual store (because we do not have yarn shops, we have Michael's & Joann's) is LionBrand WoolEase (washable wool/acrylic blend), TLC SoftYarn (a nice acrylic, very soft), and kitchen cotton.

I'd really like to try my hand at socks.....handpainted yarn sounds so interesting.

**ballylarkin** · 01-06-2008, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Mopsiehoney

I have to say that I also struggle with quality versus cost. Most of the time I purchase my "gifts" yarn at Michael's. The quality is pretty good and the cost isn't too exorbitant. But if I'm just fooling around with something then I usually pick up yarn at Walmart. That way if I make a big mess out of it, I haven't spent too much money on just a "trying it out" pattern.

I've been using Michael's lately and Joann's. We have a SUPER Joanns here and they have a bit more yarn.

**ballylarkin** · 01-06-2008, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by taligator

I buy either at KnitPicks (which I love) or at my LYS. Their prices on yarn are comparable to buying online most of the time and the quality is good. I've found that some of the yarns that you can buy in Michael's or Jo-Ann cost about the same as though in my LYS particularly for sock yarn and I much prefer the quality of those in my LYS.

Variety is important to me and I find that the big box stores have the same things all the time and the selection is usually limited so it's not valuable to me to shop there if I don't find what I want or settle for something else.

I love making pilgrimages to LYS...I just moved to the Milwaukee area and found a very lovely shop...

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 01-06-2008, 02:53 PM

For me its thrift stores and yard sales when I'm poor and a local yarn shop that stocks tons of homegrown and hand spun yarns. But the price is so dear I just go in for a touch fix.
Since we travel all over the state I make it a habibit of stopping at the thriftshops near our job sites and see what they've got. I've been very very lucky in the past I've found bags of yarn in all styles and types in some shops. I've shown an intrest and made an offer for all and gone home with all for little money many times. At one flea market I mentioned to the lady who was selling a garbage bag full that most would go to my moms ladies group who was working on a lap robe and bootie project for the local old folks home and she refused to take my money. I try to hit the non-national type of thriftstores. They seem to have better deals and are more willing to bargain.

Laurie in Bradenton

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 01-06-2008, 02:55 PM

Oh, forgot to mention www.shopgoodwill.com often has lots of yarn up for bid. Not a bad option for those who don't get out of their realm very often. Also watch freecycle.

Laurie in Bradenton

**Early Bird** · 01-06-2008, 10:01 PM

There's a LYS near my in-laws, so I get a break and go there when we're visiting. But they are expensive that I don't usually buy much.

There is NO LYS within 30 miles of me, so I order online:

* www.twoswansyarn.com has monthly specials; and free shipping for $25 and over.

* www.knitpicks.com carries their own brand of yarn, and has free shipping for orders > $45.

* I once ordered a lot of sock yarn from
http://www.discontinuedbrandnameyarn.com/ . But they don't have free shipping till $75 or $100.

I bought a lot of yarn when KnitHappens.net had their sale last March. I think they're out of business now.

**sunshine** · 01-06-2008, 11:13 PM

Our Hobby Lobby has various yarns on sale each week. I wait and get the ones I like when they go on sale for .99/skein (generally cost $5-$15/skein)

I'm also one to grab yarns at yard sales, thrift stores, etc. Now, even my co-workers will find yarns and bring them to me.