The main places to find knitting supplies

You can buy knitting supplies at yarn shops in your neighborhood, big-box craft stores, online retailers, and secondhand sources. Each option has different prices, selection, and return policies, so the best choice depends on whether you want to see yarn in person, need something fast, or are looking for the lowest price.

Local yarn shops usually stock needles, yarn, and notions (buttons, stitch markers, patterns) curated by staff who knit themselves. Chain craft stores like Michaels and Joann carry yarn and basic supplies but often have less selection and staff informed. Online retailers like KnitPicks, Webs, and Amazon offer wider variety and sometimes lower prices, but you cannot feel the yarn before buying. Thrift stores, estate sales, and online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Etsy sell used needles and yarn at steep discounts.

Key Takeaways

  • Local yarn shops let you touch yarn and get information from experienced knitters, though prices are usually higher than online.
  • Chain craft stores like Michaels and Joann have lower prices on basic supplies but less selection and staff knowledge.
  • Online retailers like KnitPicks and Webs offer the widest selection and often the lowest prices, with shipping typically taking five to ten business days.
  • Thrift stores, estate sales, and secondhand marketplaces sell used needles and yarn for a fraction of retail cost.
  • Many yarn shops offer classes, pattern support, and community events that online retailers cannot provide.

Local yarn shops and what they offer

A yarn shop in your area stocks yarn by weight, fiber content, and color, plus needles in different materials (bamboo, metal, wood) and sizes. Staff can help you pick yarn for a specific project, troubleshoot problems in your knitting, and recommend patterns that match your skill level. Many shops hold weekly knitting circles, teach classes, and host author visits or trunk shows where yarn companies display new products.

Prices at yarn shops run 15 to 40 percent higher than online retailers for the same yarn, but you avoid shipping costs and can return items easily if they do not work for your project. To find a shop near you, search "yarn shop near me" or check the directory on the Craft Yarn Council website. If no shop is within driving distance, some yarn shops ship mail orders and offer phone or video consultations to help you choose yarn.

Chain craft stores and their inventory

Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby carry yarn, needles, and basic notions at lower prices than yarn shops, especially during sales and with coupons. These stores stock popular brands like Red Heart, Caron, and Lion Brand, which are good for beginners and budget projects. However, the selection is smaller than a dedicated yarn shop, and staff may not have knitting experience.

Michaels and Joann run frequent sales—often 40 to 50 percent off single items with a coupon—so sign up for their email lists or check their apps before you shop. Hobby Lobby does not offer coupons on yarn but has everyday low prices. All three accept returns within 30 to 60 days with a receipt. These stores are useful for needles, stitch markers, and yarn for straightforward projects, but if you are working with specialty yarn or need informed information, a yarn shop is a better choice.

Online retailers and shipping times

KnitPicks, Webs, and Yarn.com specialize in knitting supplies and offer the largest selection of yarn weights, fiber blends, and brands. Prices are typically 20 to 35 percent lower than yarn shops because these retailers have lower overhead. KnitPicks also makes its own yarn and needles, which are competitively priced. Amazon carries yarn from many brands but quality varies, and you cannot always see the exact dye lot before purchase.

Shipping usually takes five to ten business days for standard delivery, though most retailers offer expedited options for an extra fee. Many online retailers have free shipping thresholds (often $35 to $50), so buying multiple items at once saves money. Return policies vary—KnitPicks allows returns within 60 days, while Webs has a 30-day window. Read the return policy before you order, especially if you are buying yarn you have never worked with before.

Secondhand and budget options

Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army often have bags of yarn and used needles for $1 to $5. Estate sales and auctions sometimes include large collections of vintage yarn and needles at low prices. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Etsy have sellers offering used yarn and needles, often in bulk lots. Ravelry, a free website for knitters, has a "Buy and Sell" section where knitters trade yarn and supplies directly.

Buying secondhand saves money but requires patience—you may not find exactly what you need, and you cannot inspect items in person unless you pick them up locally. Yarn stored in smoke-free homes is usually fine, but check descriptions carefully for damage, stains, or odors. Vintage needles from the 1950s and 1960s are often high quality and beautiful, making them worth seeking out even if they cost a few dollars more than modern plastic needles.

Comparing prices and making a budget

A ball of worsted-weight yarn costs $3 to $8 at a yarn shop, $2 to $6 at a chain craft store, and $2 to $5 online, depending on the brand and fiber. A pair of bamboo needles runs $5 to $12 at a yarn shop, $3 to $8 at a craft store, and $2 to $6 online. Buying secondhand can cut these prices in half or more, but you may need to buy supplies you do not need to reach a good price per item.

For a beginner project using one skein of yarn and one pair of needles, expect to spend $10 to $25 at a yarn shop, $8 to $18 at a craft store, $6 to $15 online, or $3 to $10 secondhand. If you plan to knit regularly, buying from a yarn shop or online retailer in bulk (five or more skeins) usually brings the per-skein cost down. Keep a list of what you already own so you do not buy duplicate needle sizes or yarn you cannot use.

Specialty supplies and hard-to-find items

If you need circular needles in an unusual size, interchangeable needle sets, or yarn in a rare fiber like qiviut or yak, online retailers and specialty yarn shops are your best options. Local yarn shops can often order items not in stock, though it may take one to three weeks. Etsy has many independent dyers and small yarn producers who sell directly to knitters, often at prices comparable to larger retailers.

Notions like stitch markers, row counters, and blocking mats are available at all retailers, but yarn shops and online specialists usually have more variety. If you cannot find what you need locally, check whether a yarn shop can order it before paying for shipping from an online retailer. Some yarn shops waive shipping on special orders if you buy a certain amount, making the total cost competitive with online prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return yarn if I change my mind about a project?

Most yarn shops and online retailers accept returns within 30 to 60 days if the yarn is unused and in original packaging. Chain craft stores like Michaels and Joann accept returns within 30 to 60 days with a receipt. Always check the return policy before you buy, especially online, because some sellers do not accept returns on yarn at all.

What is the difference between yarn from a yarn shop and yarn from a craft store?

Yarn shops carry a wider range of fiber blends, weights, and independent dyers. Craft stores stock mostly mass-produced yarn from large companies. Both are fine for knitting—the choice depends on whether you want more options and informed information (yarn shop) or lower prices and convenience (craft store).

Is it worth buying needles online if I cannot feel them first?

Yes, if you know your needle size and material preference. Bamboo needles have grip and are good for slippery yarn; metal needles are smooth and fast; wood needles are warm and quiet. Read reviews on the retailer's website to see what other knitters say about how needles feel and perform.

How do I know what yarn weight to buy for a pattern?

The pattern tells you the yarn weight (worsted, sport, bulky, etc.) and how many yards you need. Match the weight exactly—using a different weight will change the finished size and drape. If you are unsure, ask staff at a yarn shop or post a photo of the pattern on Ravelry and ask for information.

Are vintage needles from thrift stores as good as new ones?

Often yes. Vintage metal and wood needles from the 1950s and 1960s are frequently high quality and smooth. Check that the points are not bent or dulled and that the size is clearly marked. Plastic needles from any era can become brittle, so inspect them carefully before buying.