30 best yarn shops you need to visit!

The rise in online yarn stores means it's now easier than ever to get your favourite yarn delivered directly to your door. But there are so many benefits to actually heading to your local yarn store, not least getting to feel and squish all of that lovely yarn! As well as physically getting hands on with those lovely fibres, you'll also find that sometimes seeing a yarn with your own eyes makes a big difference – certain colours or finishes to yarn can look very different on-screen to how they look in person.

Your local yarn stores can also be a treasure trove of knowledge and resources - they're often the best place to learn about community crafting events and classes which are great for if you're a beginner, and some also run social events so you can meet with like-minded crocheters and maybe find your new crafty bestie! The majority of local wool shops are also passionate about locally produced yarn and you will often find yarns in-store that are not available or only have a small presence online. Owners of yarn stores will often go that extra mile to help a customer - Yarn out of stock? They'll try and help you source some more. Want some advice? Well, they work in a yarn shop, that's pretty much a guarantee of their expertise. Need help with a pattern? Most store owners we know will do their best to help. Seen a pattern that's only available online but you're not exactly computer-savvy? Participating yarn stores can even help you download and print patterns from Ravelry and will receive a share of the sale.

You can also find our new Shop of the Month feature in Simply Crochet magazine where we explore a different UK yarn store every month!

Best wool shops near me

Here's our quick list of some of our favourite stores from around the country. But if there's none near you, search out your local wool shops online (and you don't even have to keep it local, search out nearby yarn stores when you're travelling or on holiday - it's a great additional activity for us fibre-lovers!)

England - North East

Fine Fettle Fibres

Studio 6, Gallery 45, 45 Main Street, Felton, Morpeth, Northumberland NE65 9PP

01670 600001
www.finefettlefibres.uk

Wed, Fri, Sat 10am-5pm

For a truly British yarn souvenir, plan a visit to Fine Fettle Fibres during your holidays! A champion of artisan yarns and local designers, the shop specialises in British and fair trade yarns in natural fibres, including a selection of local hand-dyed and hand-spun yarns. The shop stocks patterns from local professional designers, and yarn brands include Baa Ram Ewe, Blacker, Cambrian Mountains Wool, Erika Knight, Garthenor, Jamieson & Smith, Walcot Yarns, Whistlebare, BareFaced, Natural Born Dyers, and Manos del Uruguay. Owner Judith Goodfellow offers support for customers as well with knitting groups and workshops. Just a mile off the A1, nearby is Alnwick Castle, Northumbrian beaches and Howick Hall. Fine Fettle Fibres is part of Gallery 45, a shopping area dedicated to craft-related businesses.

Wool Couture

The Old Robin Hood, Southmoor Rd, Brierley, Barnsley S72 9HA

01226 414950
www.woolcouturecompany.com

Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm

Wool Couture sells their own-brand extreme yarns for giant knitting and crochet projects: Cheeky Chunky, Baby Beau, Gentle Giant, Epic Extreme. Wool Couture is located between the M1 and A1, for those travelling on either road. Nearby is Newmillerdam Country Park.

Lucy Locket Land

53 Dovedale Road, Seaburn, Sunderland SR6 8LP

www.lucylocketland.co.uk

Mon 10am-3pm, Tues, Thurs, Fri 10am-4pm,
Sat 10am-4.30pm

Lucy Locket Land is more than just a shop: it is a meeting place and creative hub where ideas and enthusiasm are shared. The overriding ethos of the shop is a sense of community and that crafting helps – mentally, emotionally, physically. The kettle is always on, visitors are encouraged to sit and chat about their influences, interests, projects and plans and leave as friends. Owner Lucy McKelvey stocks all natural fibres and mostly small UK producers: her own Lucy Locket Land Yarns, Jamieson & Smith, Jamieson’s of Shetland, alpaca from The Border Mill, alpaca from individual animals, Adriafil and Opal sock yarn. Also in shop is a range of locally produced art and craft items.

England - North West

Black Sheep Wools’ Craft Barn

Warehouse Studios, Glaziers Lane, Culcheth, Warrington, Cheshire WA3 4AQ

01925 764231
www.blacksheepwools.com

Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun & Bank Holidays 10am-4pm

Although Black Sheep Wools’ Craft Barn is one of the largest yarn shops in the UK, the dedicated owners and staff still view it as a village local wool shop run by yarn enthusiasts. With a tea shop and workshop area, visitors can easily make a day trip of it! Black Sheep Wools hosts workshops by big names including Kaffe Fassett, Jane Crowfoot, and Arne and Carlos. Brands stocked include Scheepjes, Sirdar, Coop Knits, Baa Ram Ewe and Rowan. Located five minutes from the M6 and M62, it's a great place to stop en route to the Lake District or North Wales.

Mrs Johnson’s Emporium

29-31 Bond Street, South Shore, Blackpool FY4 1BQ

01253 404550
www.MrsJohnsonsEmporium.co.uk

Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, Tues 9am-6pm
Bank Holidays 12-4pm
Sundays July-October 12-4pm

Situated in a former Victorian bank, Mrs Johnson’s Emporium gives visitors the feeling of stepping back in time. The vast space is crammed with luscious colours and crafting delights. A large range of Stylecraft yarns are always in stock with selections from King Cole, James C Brett, Rico, Sirdar, Grundle, Adriafil, Yarn Stories, Coastal Colours, Lancashire Farm Wool and WYS filling the shelves. A selection of more than 8,000 buttons means even the pickiest cardigan maker can find the perfect fastening! With all the family delights of Blackpool, including The Pleasure Beach, The Sand Castle and Blackpool Tower on offer, Mrs Johnson’s Emporium should be an easy destination to fit into the holiday schedule.

Handmade by You

38 Curzon St, Maryport, Cumbria CA15 6DA

07795 512689
Facebook.com/Handmadebymaryport

Mon-Sat 9am-4pm

Handmade by You is situated in a seaside town on the edge of the Lake District. Visitors can stock up on yarns including Stylecraft, King Cole, Rico, James C Brett, Sirdar, DMC and WYS.

England - Central & Midlands

Horncastle Hobby House

25 North Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 5DX

01507 522659
www.horncastlehobbyhouse.co.uk

Mon-Tues, Thurs-Sat 9am-4.30pm

This traditional local wool shop stocks Katia, King Cole, Woolcraft and Wendy yarns. Other goodies include patterns, haberdashery, buttons and a large selection of ribbons.

Ewe & Ply

Ewe & Ply, Gallery Level, Market Hall, Shrewsbury SY1 1HQ

Ewe & Ply and the Eclectic Tearoom, 11, English Walls Oswestry SY11 2PA

01691 587467 or 07702563632

https://eweandply.co.uk/

Shrewbury Store:
Tues, Fri & Sat 9.30am-5pm
Wednesday 9.30am-4pm
Thursday 9.30am-2pm

Oswestry Store:

Tuesday- Saturday 9.30am- 5pm

Stitchin' Wednesday 7-9pm

Stocking yarn from big name brands like Schoppewolle and Drops, to UK hand-spun/dyed yarns like West Yorkshire Spinners and Gwlan Cambrian Wool, and even the shops very own Shropshire ply yarn ! This yarn shop originally made its home inside the Shrewbury Market Hall, but the success of that store has now led to them opening a second store in Oswestry. Terri and Becci have created a store that is a haven for fibre-lovers, as well as being some of the friendliest and most helpful yarn store owners out there!

The Wool Shop

13 Broad Street, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1NG

01584 872988
www.ludlow-woolshop.co.uk

Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm

A trip to Ludlow Castle will be made all the better when you can pop into The Wool Shop. Claire Brindley hopes to pass on her passion for knitting, crochet and quilting to customers to keep these fantastic crafts alive. The carefully selected range of yarns features Rowan, Sirdar, DMC, King Cole, Wendy, Peter Pan, Navia and Sublime, providing quality materials to make a garment or heirloom that knitters and crocheters can cherish for many years. Tourist attractions in Ludlow include the Ludlow Food Festival, the Medieval Festival and the Spring Festival at the castle, a local market in the town square held most days of the week, and many historical buildings with blue plaques (The Wool Shop included!).

England - South East

The Fibreworks

10a Middle Row, Chipping Norton, Oxon OX7 5NH 01608 645970

www.thefibreworks.co.uk

Tues-Sat 10am-5pm
Knit Night Weds 6-8pm

The Fibreworks is a small shop packed with colour and a wide range of yarns, with a focus on natural fibres and yarns from small-scale producers such as The Fibre Co. and local spinners and dyers. Yarn lovers will also find West Yorkshire Spinners, Lang, Rowan, Rico and Erika Knight. UK stockist of the Lykke needles and a full range of interchangeable circulars, long and short straight, DPNs and crochet hooks. Located between Oxford and Stratford in the midst of the glorious Cotswold countryside, it is a must-see for those visiting the Rollright Stones, Blenheim Palace, the Cotswold Wildlife Park and picturesque Cotswold villages.

The Eternal Maker

41 Terminus Road, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 8TX

01243 788174
www.eternalmaker.com

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
Knit & Sew night Thurs 5.30-8.30pm

A short walk from the centre of scenic Chichester, The Eternal Maker is a welcome haven for knitters and crocheters – and if you’re peckish, the yarn department even has its own on-site café, The Eternal Baker! Owner Anna Hodgson says the shop aims for a welcoming and social environment, where yarn lovers can sit on a comfy couch, eat some scrummy cake
and meet other like-minded folk. A small selection of independently dyed yarns feature alongside brands like Rowan and Adriafil.

Ida’s House

27 High Street, Caterham on the Hill, Surrey CR3 5UE

01883 345220
www.idashouse.co.uk

Mon-Tues, Thurs-Sat 10am-5pm
Social Club Tues & Thurs 7-9pm

Ida’s House welcomes all levels of knitters and crocheters, with plenty of support on hand in the shop and at their twice-weekly social evenings. Located near Croydon, the shop supports up-and-coming designers, with patterns and books from the likes of Renee Callaghan and Anna Maltz. Yarns include the ever-popular Stylecraft, Sirdar and Baa Ram Ewe, and speciality brands such as Isager, Fine Fish Yarns and Rooster. Jayne Coleman from Ida’s House also shares her addiction to fibre tools, by offering customers a wide range of scissors and quirky accessories.

England - London

Knit with Attitude

127 Stoke Newington High Street, London N16 0PH

020 7998 3282
www.knitwithattitude.com

Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-6pm

Knit With Attitude focuses on ethically, environmentally and sustainably produced yarns from around the world. The shop ensures that all the yarns in stock can be traced back to good practices at all levels, from animal welfare to fair wages and good working conditions for employees. This care and attention means that most of the yarns in store come from small producers and companies who are equally passionate, such as John Arbon (an independently-owned mill in Devon), Manos del Uruguay (certified Fair Trade), Växbo Lingarn (from a traditional watermill in Sweden), Hedgehog Fibres (independently hand-dyed yarns from Ireland), Hey Mama Wolf (naturally dyed yarn from Germany), Purl Alpaca (undyed British alpaca), and Fyberspates (a British company ethically sourcing yarns from Peru). The London neighbourhood of Stoke Newington has a fierce independent spirit and small village vibe.

Loop

15 Camden Passage, Islington, London N1 8EA

020 7288 1160
www.loopknitting.com

Tues-Sat 11am-6pm, Late opening Thurs 7.30pm,
Sun 12-5pm

Any seriously dedicated yarn enthusiast will eventually make the pilgrimage to Loop in the capital! The north London shop showcases the most beautiful and unique yarns and haberdashery that owner Susan Cropper can find – she sources one-of-a-kind and quirky tools, and attends vintage fairs looking for unusual things for the shop. It’s always a treat to visit.

Loop works closely with independent yarn producers and dyers, as well as designers who make patterns from some of the yarns the shop stocks. In store you’ll find UK hand-dyed brands Eden Cottage Yarns, Old Maiden Aunt, and The Uncommon Thread, as well as Quince + Co., Brooklyn Tweed and mYak. Located in the heart of Islington, an incredible range of restaurants and cafés, the Almeida Theatre and the Union Chapel guarantee a great visit.

Tribe Yarns

17 Richmond Hill, Richmond-upon-Thames, London TW10 6RE

020 8940 0999
www.tribeyarns.com

Tues-Sat 10.30am-6pm

Tribe Yarns believes that ‘Life is too short for bad yarn!’ so the shop is filled with high-quality, non-commercial, ethically produced and very colourful yarns. London-goers will find the perfect souvenir from the wide range of indie-dyed yarns and luxury yarns from around the world. Just down the road is Richmond Park, Petersham Meadows View, Richmond Theatre and all the attractions of the Richmond area.

England - South West

Alterknit Universe

39 Main Road, Cleeve, North Somerset BS49 4NS

www.alterknituniverse.co.uk

Thurs-Sun 11am-5pm
Knitting Group Sun 1-5pm

Alterknit Universe is a mecca for natural, recycled, local and ethical fibres. From a wide range of West Yorkshire Spinners’ yarns to coveted skeins of indie-dyed Stranded Dyeworks yarns, as well as gorgeous spinning fibre, anyone travelling near Bristol can stop by to pick up a special souvenir. Knowledgeable staff offer help with patterns and projects, and the shop hosts a weekly knitting group, as well as classes and workshops.

Wool

19 Old Orchard Street, Bath BA1 1JU

01225 469144
www.woolbath.co.uk

Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm

A visit to the scenic Roman Baths is even more appealing when you know there is a lovely little yarn shop just around the corner! Wool carefully sources beautiful yarns from all over the UK and the world, and encourages visitors to take their time, squish the yarn and enjoy the friendly service they’ll find inside. Yarns in their ranges include old favourites such as King Cole, Rowan, Adriafil and Rico, with exquisite Fyberspates, Coop Knits, Erika Knight and West Yorkshire Spinners ensuring a special souvenir of a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

The Slipped Stitch

1 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PT

01935 508249
www.theslippedstitch.co.uk

Tues-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm

If two castles and Sherborne Abbey weren’t enough to please a visitor to Sherborne, surely The Slipped Stitch will delight a yarn lover! Fibres from pure wools to acrylics, and yarns to suit any budget, the shop is the exclusive stockist of hand-dyed yarns by Roosters Folly, as well as Sirdar, King Cole, West Yorkshire Spinners and Zauberballs.

England - East

Crates of Wool

8A East St, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9HJ

01920 463436
www.cratesofwool.co.uk

Mon-Tues 9.30am-4.30pm
Weds 9.30am-8pm
Thurs-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm

Crates of Wool supplies yarn lovers with mainstream brands as well as locally dyed natural fibres. The shop hosts a range of drop-in sessions each week, including knitting and crochet clubs, which has built a cheerful and connected crafting community. Ware boasts a range of cafés and canal walks.

The Fibre Lounge

15 High Street, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire WD4 8AB

07917 862448
www.thefibrelounge.com

Tues-Wed, Fri-Sat 10am-4pm
Thurs 12-6.30pm
Sun 11am-3pm

The Fibre Lounge, formerly known as Komodo Krafts, stocks a variety of luxury, quirky and affordable yarns, including Mondial, Katia, Bobbiny T-shirt and cord yarns, West Yorkshire Spinners, Mrs Moon, Rosy Green Wool, plus a whole host of independent dyers. Owner Louisa Sheward says the aim is to inject fun into fibre crafts, keeping things modern and interesting. Visitors are encouraged to stay and explore the shop, and be inspired by the host of workshops on offer, from crochet and knitting to spinning, weaving, and macramé.

Purlwise

21a High Street, Kimbolton PE28 0HB

01480 861727
www.purlwise.co.uk

Mon-Tues 10am-5pm
Thurs 10am-7pm
Fri 10am-4pm
Sat 10am-5pm

Purlwise is a hub for knitting, crocheting, spinning and weaving. Staff are on hand to help with any issues with woolly crafting. Yarns in store include Rowan, Manos Del Uruguay, Katia, Adriafil, King Cole, T B Ramsden and a selection of hand-dyed yarns. Purlwise is located in Kimbolton, home to Kimbolton Castle (where Catherine of Aragon was held after King Henry tired of her!) and a church boasting a unique Tiffany stained-glass window.

Wales

The Wool Croft & The Make House

14 Nevill Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5AD

01873 851551
www.thewoolcroft.co.uk

Tues-Sat 9am-6pm

TheWoolCroft stocks ‘thegoodstuff’: irresistible wools, alpaca, silk and Egyptian cottons in a range of beautiful colours. Notable brands include Ystrad Organics Welsh wool, Cambrian Mountains, Noro, Sublime, Rowan, West Yorkshire Spinners, Regia and Katia. Knit Pro, Pony and Clover cover the needles and haberdashery. The Wool Croft is located in the centre of Abergavenny, opposite the bustling Market Hall.

Clare Wools

13 Great Darkgate St, Aberystwyth SY23 1DE

01970 617786
www.clarewools.co.uk

Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

Dolphin watchers at Cardigan Bay can pop into Clare Wools to find a selection of local Welsh undyed yarn from Cwmchrefru, near Builth Wells. Sirdar, Hayfield, Sublime, Rowan, King Cole, James C. Brett and Araucania yarns are also available.

Yarn O’Clock

2 Earl Road, Mold, Flintshire CH7 1AJ

01352 218082
www.yarnoclock.co.uk

Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm

Yarn O’Clock strives to keep their stock as natural and local as possible, with indie dyers and local companies such as Fyberspates. Other British brands include John Arbon, WYS, Triskelion, Erika Knight, Town End Yarns, Cambrian Wool and more.

Scotland

Ginger Twist Studio

11 London Road, Edinburgh EH7 5AP

07599 479445
www.gingertwiststudio.com

Mon, Wed, Fri-Sat 11am-5pm, Thurs 11am-6pm
Sun 11am-4pm

Tourists to Edinburgh won’t want to miss Ginger Twist Studio – the adorable aqua exterior beckons knitters and crocheters to pop inside the petite shop. Owner Jessica James-Thomson carefully curates a range of yarns squeezed into the tiny space, including her own range of luxury hand-dyed yarns (Ginger’s Hand Dyed), West Yorkshire Spinners, Brigantia, Brooklyn Tweed and more.

A ten-minute walk from Holyrood Palace and the Parliament, visitors can pick up a holiday yarny keepsake, from exquisite lace weight to fun chunky wool, while they're exploring the city.

Wool for Ewe

83-85 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen AB25 2YE

01224 643738
www.woolforewe.com

Tues-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm

With the promise of “yarn for every budget, patterns for every style’”, visitors are unlikely to walk away from Wool for Ewe empty-handed! A wide range of brands includes Lopi, Jamieson’s of Shetland, Rowan, Sublime, Sirdar, Woolcraft, Stylecraft, DMC, Baa Ram Ewe, Erika Knight, Wool & The Gang, Regia, Viridian Yarns and Zauberball.

In addition, the shop supports local indie dyers such as Cookston Crafts, a local dyer based within
20 miles of Wool for Ewe, and Accidental Shepherd, which produces yarn from sheep surrounding Aberdeen. Travel souvenirs abound, with yarn bowls from South Lissens Pottery, willow baskets from Deeside, and Harris tweed bags and notions pouches from The Fabulous Mr G.

The Wool Haven

21 Langside Place, Glasgow G41 3DL

07401 594385
www.thewoolhaven.com

Tues, Thurs, Fri-Sat 10am-5.30pm,
Wed 1-8pm (including classes)

The Wool Haven hosts a vibrant knitting and crochet community, with a monthly Knit2gether group and regular classes in crochet, knitting, finishing, colourwork and intarsia. Popular yarns include King Cole, West Yorkshire Spinners, Woolcraft, Peter Pan, Wendy, Patons and Regia. The Wool Haven also showcases yarn hand- spun and hand-dyed specifically for the shop, and beautiful wooden yarn bowls made by owner Frances’ husband. Haberdashery features KnitPro Symfonie, Zing, Nova and Pony brands.

The Wool Haven is located in Glasgow Southside’s Langside area, next door to the Queen’s Park.

Ireland and Northern Ireland

Row by Roe

28 Main Street, Limavady, Co Londonderry BT49 0FJ

028 7727 7396
www.rowbyroe.co.uk

Tues-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm

Row by Roe is a quirky and modern yarn shop in Limavady in the Roe Valley. Stop by to pick up some gorgeous, local, hand-dyed yarn from Woolly Adventures, DyeCandy and Fine Fish Yarns. Also on offer are Rico Creative, Viridian sock yarn, West Yorkshire Spinners, Studio Donegal, Stylecraft Yarns, Cygnet Yarns, Adriafil, Lion Brand and Baa Ram Ewe, as well as knitting and crochet accessories and gifts. Of special tourist interest is the location of Row by Roe – the shop is situated on the same street where the famous song ‘Oh Danny Boy’, The Londonderry Air, was composed. Limavady is a small market town steeped in history and is only a few miles from the Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim Coast. Much of the surrounding scenery along the north coast even features in the highly popular fantasy series, Game of Thrones!

JollyYarnCo

33 South Street, Newtownards, Co Down BT23 4JT

028 91229434
facebook.com/jollyyarnco

Mon-Wed, Fri 10am-5pm
Thurs 10am-5pm & 7-9pm
Sat 9.30am-4.30pm

Jolly Yarn Co offers a rainbow selection of yarns from Drops, Stylecraft, Cygnet, Studio Donegal and others, as well as a comprehensive selection of needles and accessories. With easy access for wheelchairs and prams, and with the beautiful Ards Peninsula nearby, the Jolly Yarn Co ensures visitors to Newtownards will feel...jolly!

The Knitting Room

99 Malahide Road, Donnycarney, Dublin D03 DY27

01 831 4464
www.theknittingroom.ie

Tues-Sat 10am-5pm

Visitors taking in the sights of Dublin should not miss The Knitting Room to add some craft-related memories to the holiday! The Knitting Room prides itself on being “not just a wool shop, but a community of crafters”, with knitting and crochet classes for all levels, and a kids’ club as well. Yarns include Rico, Stylecraft, Noro, King Cole, Rosarios4 and Mondial. Located on the road from Dublin city to the beautiful coastal village of Malahide, the shop is also near the historic William Chambers house and Casino Marino.