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The monthly craft question for March was, “Where do you buy your yarn? Tell us about your stash. Pictures welcome.” You can see many of the answers on our Facebook fan page. Here is a summary of the results in order of popularity:
- 19 Votes- Craft Chain Store (Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, Jo-Ann, etc.)
- 10 Votes- Independent/Local Yarn Store
- 8 Votes- Online from Manufacturer (Red Heart, Caron, etc.)
- 7 Votes- Discount Stores (Walmart)
- 6 votes- eBay
- 6 votes- Online Yarn Stores
- 4 votes- Rummage/Garage Sales
- 2 Votes- Etsy
- 2 Votes- Thrift Stores
- 2 votes- Craft fairs
Here are some of the interesting responses we received:
Jen Geigley, Reporter for Craft Critique
I buy yarn everywhere! My favorite local yarn shop, Knitted Together, is my first stop for luxury yarn purchases. Just walking into the store is an inspiring experience; being surrounded by so many drool-worthy colors is any knitter’s dream. This is where I find my Malabrigo, Noro, Misti Alpaca, Rowan and Cascade yarns.
But of course there are also projects that require a large amount of yarn and the more expensive brands won’t do. That’s when I turn to Michael’s, JoAnn Fabrics, Hobby Lobby or Hancock Fabrics to find my workhorse yarns, coupons in hand. My go-to brands for economical yarn include Lion Brand, Caron and Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller.
My yarn stash is massive and I cannot believe how quickly I’ve managed to accumulate so many skeins! I’m always attracted to bright, vivid colors, and sometimes I find something so irresistible that I just have to add it to the stash. I keep my yarn in large plastic totes or ziplock bags to protect and store it. But I like to keep current projects out, so I use Amy Butler fabric bins to hold whatever I’m working on at the moment. (Or I’ll fill them with pretty yarn to inspire me to make something new!)
Taylor Usry, Reporter for Craft Critique
I have always had the best experience with Halcyon Yarn. When we lived in Maine, they were a 15 minute trip from our house, and visiting the store was such a fun thing to do. Their yarn selection is amazing – and they have felt and fibers too! I was thrilled to discover , when we moved back to VA, that they sold online as well. They have great kits, they teach classes onsite, they have products for weaving and spinning also, and the sample cards they put out are super helpful.
I have also bought stuff at specialty stores when I come across them while we are traveling. I tend to shy away from big box stores (like Michael’s) – I just don’t think they have as good of a selection.
I can’t take a pic of my stash because it is currently packed up while I find a home for it – I’m in the middle of giving up my craft room for a nursery so I’m getting creative with storage solutions 😉
Peggy Marsh, Reporter for Craft Critique
Everywhere…I buy yarn from local craft stores such as Michael’s, JoAnn’s Hobby Lobby… as well as from local merchants with higher end specialty blends of silk, mohair, bamboo, wool, etc.
It grows when I’m not looking… I actually inherited my Mom’s stash as well as my Grandmother’s too. But I continue to add to make specialty, one-of-a-kind purses.
I don’t have enough… being involved in fiber arts I never seem to have enough. When I travel I’m always making sure to find small specialty shops while enroute to check out their stash of fibers. I’ve found some really neat yarns in my travels.
I’ve been on a bit of a yarn-shopping hiatus, preferring to use stash yarn. But when I do buy yarn I most often go to my local yarn store, and I do have a soft spot for the hand-dyed and/or handspun yarns lots of wildly talented people sell online and at craft fairs.
Crochet Designer Alla Koval of My Little City Girl
Alla re-posted the question on her blog too.
For my part… Usually I order yarn online and first of all check eBay, Little Knits, Elann and Raverly. I love to buy yarn direct from Manufacturer or wholesale and just can’t resist when see nice and happy colors. I am definitely yarn addict and just can’t help myself. So my yarn stash is huge and colorful LOL!
Oh and I am in Etsy Ocean Mists treasury! Thank you so much to Sarah for such Lovely treasury!! I’m so in love with this color too!
Jess of Epheriel Designs
Well, I have bought yarn both at Spotlight – which is a big craft and homewares chain store here in Australia, as well as at small specialty yarn stores. I prefer to buy from the smaller specialty stores and support them!
Phyllis Serbes of Many Creative Gifts
Phyllis re-posted the question on her blog.
Great question! Initially, I go to a local yarn store or chain craft store to see what’s new and FEEL it, there’s just no substitute (someday, maybe our computer monitors will simulate sensations!). But, if I want to buy more of the yarn, then I have to say, I do get online and start searching for the cheapest price I can find (and, of course, shipping gets factored in, but often, you can order online and not have to pay sales tax).
These days, though, I’m enjoying experimenting with “yarn substitutes” that can be found at the hardware store or office supply store!
Recycle Cindy of My Recycled Bags
I usually use recycled materials for my “yarn” such as plastic bags, t-shirts, vcr tape, and reclaimed yarn from old sweaters. I live in a rural area and buy most of my store bought yarn at my local Ben Franklin store. When I get to the big city, I love to buy yarn at Walmart as the prices are low.
Teri Lowe
I just started knitting a year ago. Of all the crafts I do, I could not master this one because I am left handed and everyone that tried to show me was right handed. So, one day I justed decided to learn! I now knit bunnies, cats, babies (Comfort dolls) that go to Kenya, Ecuador, and Las Vegas, where I am taking a batch of bunnies to the Child Protective Services for children (we can always hope no children will have to go there, but unfortunately, that will be the case). I thoroughly enjoy it, and use mostly Lion Brand products, especially Vanna, because it is so soft. The babies are part of a charity called Spanda, Inc., created by a doctor in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and initially the dolls were started by my mother. She got me the bug, and I have so far knitted over 100 babies to send to Kenya, and other places. I pick up yarn when it is on sale, and put out feelers for donated yarn. I have also “adopted” a baby for a young girl in Kenya by the name of Abigail. What a pleasure to make young faces smile!
Carol Archinal
My stash, well…it is taking over my craft room like the Blob! LOL I have a closet dedicated to just yarn. They are in bins, 22 of them, and arranged by type, and the WW is by color. Somehow at night it seems that random skeins escape and have placed themselves throughout the room and the house! LOL
Editorial Note: WOW!!
Kaytee
My stash– still finding bags and boxes of it tucked away in the back of closets; have one footlocker totally stuffed mainly with novelty yarns (have to sit on the lid to fasten it), plus smaller plastic bins, shopping and plastic grocery bags, large glass and plastic jars (scraps for scrumbles, etc), shoeboxes…..
But of course there are also projects that require a large amount of yarn and the more expensive brands won’t do. That’s when I turn to Michael’s, JoAnn Fabrics, Hobby Lobby or Hancock Fabrics to find my workhorse yarns, coupons in hand. My go-to brands for economical yarn include Lion Brand, Caron and Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller.
My yarn stash is massive and I cannot believe how quickly I’ve managed to accumulate so many skeins! I’m always attracted to bright, vivid colors, and sometimes I find something so irresistible that I just have to add it to the stash. I keep my yarn in large plastic totes or ziplock bags to protect and store it. But I like to keep current projects out, so I use Amy Butler fabric bins to hold whatever I’m working on at the moment. (Or I’ll fill them with pretty yarn to inspire me to make something new!)
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As a crocheter of 29 years, knitter of 23, years I have managed to accumulate a few skeins. However some of my comrades seem to have out done me. Kudos to all. I shop in many venues. The dollar tree has Lion Brand fun fur. Ollies has Lion Brand mooight mohair. Big lots has Lion Brand chenille.
I have knit and crocheted since I was very young when my Grandmother taught me. I switch to strictly crochet after my daughter pulled the needles out of a blanket I was knitting with no. 1 needles and it had 216 stitches and a 7 row pattern. A friend finished it for me and I continued crocheting only. My stash has grown and continues to grow because I am addicted to yarn. I have one wall in a bedroom with square cubbies and it is filled to overflowing. I added a bookcase and it is filled. I have four big tote tubs filled. I buy some at Jo-anns and some at Wal-mart but I also check on eBay and eBid and find some really good bus even with the postage. Three tub fulls came from a consignment shop recently at only $1 a skein. I ended up with over 150+ skeins and some scraps. Best deal I have ever found.
I make scarfs and laprobes and give them to needy people.
I am going to try and sell a few of them on eBid. I have a store there.
AuntDeesAtticTreasur-es.
I’ll try to put up some pictures later.