Several years ago when I went through breast cancer, I consoled myself with a few(cough, cough) online yarn purchases. Okay, a lot of online yarn purchases. But I considered it a necessary therapy to get me through a rough patch in my life.
Even though I was too sick to knit, the yarn packages helped me so much. I’d feel the yummy yarn and look at all of the pretty colors and dream of what I would make with it when I was all well.
Unfortunately, chemo leaves you with a brain that is mush. Forgetfulness is horrible. So I don’t remember a lot about what yarns were going to become what patterns. LOL. But I do have the yarns, and I do still squish and feel them to brighten my spirits on days when the weather is yucky. Like today.
I’ve compiled a list of 10 places where you can order some beautiful yarns. In no particular order here they are. I am not affiliated with any of these shops in any way other than as a customer. I am a co-moderator for the Knitspot clubs, but that’s it. More about that later.
Here they are:
- Fibre Space
- The Loopy Ewe
- The Verdant Gryphon
- Cephalopod Yarns
- DoodleBug Yarns
- WEBs Yarns
- The Woolen Rabbit
- Miss Babs Yarns
- Wooly Wonka Fiber
- Bare Naked Knitspot Club and Fall in Full Color Club
All of these places have given me great customer service and beautiful luxury yarns. Life really is too short to knit with ugly yarn. Pick a few places on my list and visit them. You may find yourself with some new yarn to give a home to
And I cannot say enough good things about Anne Hanson’s Knitspot clubs. She is winding down the first club – Fall in Full Color. It will be back in August with new colors and new Knitspot patterns to delight us. But for now, we’re gearing up for the Bare Naked Knitspot Club. Anne is going to be sending us all natural (un-dyed) fibers starting in the middle of February. Oh my! Neutrals are out of my blue/green comfort zone, but Anne is such a talented designer, that I cannot wait to see what she comes up with for this club. It’s like a birthday every month when the package arrives. And we have FUN in the clubhouse. We talk about books, diets, yarn stashes, what we’re working on and just life in general. It’s a safe, warm place to hang out. No stress. Just good friends and fun.
And if you need a bag or three to put your new yarn and upcoming projects, I’m recommending one of my all-time favorite bag designers. Check out Michele’s site 3 Bags Full here.
Hope I’ve got you cruising the internet and hope you have a few things coming your way. You deserve it : )
Kat Jorgensen 
Okay, so I can’t knit more than a chain. Or maybe it’s crochet. No, I don’t know the difference! But I can’t wait to share this with a couple of friends who love to knit. I think they knit. Maybe they crochet. Hmmm…
Carrie, it’s probably crocheting that you do. We had some people crocheting at the retreat and you can always use more yarn for either knitting or crochet. Jump into the knitting pool. It’s VERY relaxing. Thank you for posting.
Oh I’m just discovering the joys of yarn. This may not be a good thing. 🙂
Diana
http://www.pencildancer.com
wana112
Oh, Diana, you are going to love yarn. My motto is that life is too short to knit with ugly yarn. The shops I posted all have beautiful yarns. I may have quite a bit. Do you know about Ravelry? Talk about a slippery slope. LOL.
Hi, I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award – Check out my post http://annfoweraker.com/2012/oh-my-oh-my-versatile-blogger-award/ to see the award and read some instructions that go along with it.
Thanks, Ann!
I’ve been bitten by the I-want-to-be-a-knitter-bug twice in my life.
The first time, I wound up with at least 2 garbage bags of yarn from the thrift store (at a time when I was supposed to be able to fit all my belongings in the back of a small nissan truck). I harmoniously knit through that holiday season, spending more time redoing than completing, and promised the fruits of my labors to everyone (who would’ve only received 1 1/2 slippers at best, one of them crooked).
The second time, I learned of the type of yarn you speak of. I bought some rather pricey but very beautiful spools and never placed a knit in them.
No matter, many great memories.
Oh, this is just sad. I’m on a big kick to organize my 600+ skeins – they either get a project or they get looked at hard for a trade or a sale. We never have to worry about being cold, but storage is a problem. And I may have a slight knitting addiction.
Ok, had to find this link to share with you. These slippers are what inspired much of my knitting love: http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter08/PATToomingmacks.php
But I never graduated out of the starter slipper to try my hand at it.
Oh, they’re adorable! I’m an experienced knitter and not sure I’d attempt them. I knit shawls, sweaters, socks and hats. But they are VERY cute.
Great post Kat! I’m with you on Michele’s bags. I’m amassing quite a collection. Thanks for the yarn shop links. I’ve already discovered the delights of Woolen Rabbit and the gorgeous Knitspot club yarns and I look longingly at two or three of the other U.S.shops that you have mentioned. Think it’s about time I gave a couple more a try. Thanks for enabling ;-)!!!!!
I love the gorgeous Great Northern Yarns too, especially the scrummy mink and cashmere. You are SO spoilt for choice over there across the pond! Rosx
And here I am envying the wonderful UK shops and yarn selections. LOL. I guess we always want what is hard to get, Ros. I know if I ever make it to Loop in London, I’ll need an oxygen mask for hyperventilation : )
Oh, I do need to add Great Northern Yarns to my favorites. The bloom is just wonderful. The yarn so soft.
Thank you so much for the comment.
Oh you are such an enabler Kat!!! What a great list of yarns. I’m about to go off and investigate Wooly Wonka fibre and Doodlebug yarns. If I end up buying anything, you know I’m going to hold you fully responsible, don’t you?!! Another vote for Michele’s bags from me – they are great. And one is just not enough!!! (or two, or three……..oh dear, I’m a bag addict!!)
Doodlebug Yarns is great. I always find something I want there. And so is Wooly Wonka. Anne of WW is such a sweet lady. Great spinner, too.
And I may have 2 of Michele’s bags on the way to me. I’m trying to get organized to do Blumchen and Motheye. I *needed* those bags, right?
I figure if I have under a dozen, I don’t have enough. I’m working on it.