By M. Friel
Are you looking for high quality and affordable yarn and fiber? Here are some of my favorite in person and online stores.
Paper Crane Yarns
Our guild made a trip to Calera, AL in early 2024 to check out this yarn store and join their Sit and Stich, which happens every Saturday from 10AM-4PM. Little did we expect to encounter not only a fantastic array of yarns but also had such a great time getting to know Ashley and learning more about the artistic community in Calera. Ashley is a gifted fiber artist who has created a haven for yarn enthusiasts; Paper Crane is where creativity flourishes and a warm sense of community prevails. Stepping into her store, one is enveloped by a kaleidoscope of colors and textures, many of which Ashley has masterfully hand-dyed herself. Personally, I was thrilled to discover so many great options for high quality untreated wool yarn produced in the U.S. including, Kelbourne Woolens, Quince, and Imperial Yarn among others. Untreated wool yarn is perfectly suited for intricate stranded colorwork and intricate cable designs. Moreover, Paper Crane boasts a rare gem in the U.S. market: Sandnes Garn, a beloved brand hailing from Norway.
The inclusion of both renown brands as well as one-of-a kind hand dyed fiber solidifies Paper Crane’s status as a destination for discerning yarn connoisseurs. We cannot wait to go back!
Paper Crane Yarns is located at:
1040 14TH ST STE C
CALERA, Alabama 35040
Little Knits
I’ve been ordering from Little Knits for years. They’re based in Oregon and have amazing bargains for high quality fiber and yarn from reputable brands including Cascade Yarns, Noro, Jamieson & Smith (which is hard to get in the US), and Malabrigo, among many others. If you’re looking to knit a blanket or make a large project, their yarn packs are really great value. For instance, they sell this 5-pack of Cascade 220 Superwash for $28.75 (plus shipping), that’s more than 50% off the regular retail price. They ship quickly and their customer service is top notch. Here’s a baby hat I just knit with Anchor Bay, an incredibly soft blend of merino and cotton that I bought from them.
WEBS Closeouts
The closeout section from WEBS is always worth checking out. Whenever a particular color of yarn or a yarn line gets discontinued, they reduce the price dramatically. They also have many other deals from current yarn lines to choose from. I got this 100% wool, bulky yarn for half the price. The best part is that each hank has 478 yards! It’s just perfect for knitting blankets. I’m working on finishing a mosaic blanket at the moment.
Hobby Yarn Stores on Etsy
I always get my alpaca yarn from this shop. If you have wool allergies or sensitivities, I highly recommend you try their alpaca yarn. This is a small Etsy shop that carries the high quality, incredibly soft alpaca yarn at a great price. As someone who only works with natural fibers and cares about the environment, I really appreciate that they have the OEKO-TEX STANDARD certification. Here’s a picture of a cabled cuff from cardigan I made using their alpaca-cotton yarn.
The shop owner, Natalia, who is based in Florida, does an amazing job shipping orders quickly and I’ve always gotten my yarn within 5 days. Additionally, they carry Dundaga yarn, which is made from Latvian wool using traditional dyeing methods. This kind of yarn is more suited for outerwear or decor as it is not as soft. It has beautiful and subtle color transitions and the hanks have generous yardage. I recently got this beauty, 630 yards of light worsted yarn for less than $15.
Pollywogs
This online store is kind of a hidden gem on the internet. It specializes in offering heavily discounted Brown Sheep brand yarn, including mill ends and seconds. While their ordering process diverges from the typical online shopping experience—you submit your request via email and pay through PayPal—the extra effort is well worth it.
Brown Sheep is renowned for its commitment to excellence, ensuring even their discounted products maintain exceptional quality. Discounted yarn may feature minimal imperfections like slight heathering, minor color variations, or an occasional additional knot, yet they consistently deliver on craftsmanship. Personally, I’ve always been delighted with the mill ends and seconds I’ve received from Pollywogs. Knowing that the wool is sourced and produced in the U.S. further enhances the appeal. Among their offerings, Nature Spun worsted yarn stands out for its remarkable suitability for cables and felting projects, while Burly spun, with its soft, plump texture and rich color absorption, presents a luxurious option for bulkier projects and dyeing experiments alike.
Here’s the Burly Spun I died with turmeric.
West Alabama Fiber Guild 