The best place to buy knitting supplies depends on what you need right now

If you need yarn and needles today, a local yarn shop or craft store will have them in stock. If you want the lowest price and don't mind waiting for shipping, online retailers like Amazon, Webs, and KnitPicks undercut brick-and-mortar stores by 20 to 40 percent. If you want to touch the yarn before you buy it—to check the weight, feel the texture, and see the color in natural light—you need a physical store. Most knitters use a mix: local shops for yarn selection and information, online for bulk orders and specialty items, and big-box retailers for needles and notions when you're in a hurry.

Your choice also depends on your budget and how much time you have. Thrift stores and secondhand markets offer the lowest prices but require patience and flexibility. Specialty suppliers like Halcyon Yarn and Schoolhouse Press cost more but focus on natural fibers and premium tools. Understanding what each type of retailer offers helps you spend less and get exactly what you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Local yarn shops let you handle yarn and get information from staff who knit, but cost 15 to 40 percent more than online.
  • Online retailers like KnitPicks, Webs, and Yarn.com have lower prices and wider selection, but you cannot see or feel the yarn before it arrives.
  • Big-box craft stores like Michaels and Joann carry basic yarn and needles at mid-range prices and run frequent sales and coupons.
  • Thrift stores, estate sales, and online secondhand markets sell used yarn and vintage needles at a fraction of retail cost.
  • Specialty suppliers like Halcyon Yarn and Schoolhouse Press focus on natural fibers and premium tools if you are willing to pay for quality.

Local yarn shops: higher cost, hands-on selection

A local yarn shop is the place to go when you want to hold the yarn in your hands, see how the color looks in daylight, and ask someone who knits whether a particular yarn will work for your project. Staff at yarn shops are usually knitters themselves and can tell you whether a yarn is splitty, how it behaves when blocked, and what needle size feels best with it. They also stock yarn in a range of weights and fiber content that a big-box store cannot match. Many yarn shops host knitting circles and classes where you can learn new techniques and meet other knitters in your area.

The trade-off is price. Yarn at a local shop typically costs 15 to 40 percent more than the same yarn online. A skein that costs $8 at KnitPicks might cost $11 or $12 at a yarn shop. Needles, stitch markers, and notions follow the same pattern. Many yarn shops offset this by running frequent sales, offering loyalty programs, or bundling discounts on larger purchases. To find a yarn shop near you, search "yarn shop near me" or check the Ravelry directory, which lists shops by location and lets you see what yarn they stock.

Online retailers: lowest prices, widest selection

KnitPicks is the largest online knitting retailer in the United States and carries yarn, needles, and notions at prices 20 to 40 percent below yarn shops. They own their own yarn mills, which is why their prices are so low. Shipping is free on orders over $25, and most orders arrive within a week. Their house brand needles (Bamboo, Options interchangeables, and metal DPNs) are durable and affordable. The downside is that you cannot feel the yarn or see the exact color before it arrives, and their selection of premium or luxury yarns is limited compared to specialty retailers.

Webs (also called yarn.com) stocks over 10,000 yarn products from hundreds of brands, including luxury fibers like Rowan, Cascade, and Berroco. Prices are lower than yarn shops but higher than KnitPicks. They offer free shipping on orders over $50 and a 30-day return window, which is useful if the yarn does not match your expectations. Yarn.com is a separate retailer (despite the similar name) that specializes in natural fibers and carries a curated selection of indie dyers and small mills. Both sites let you filter by fiber content, weight, and yardage, making it easier to find exactly what you need.

Amazon carries yarn and needles from multiple sellers, with prices that vary widely depending on the brand and seller. Shipping is often fast if you have Prime, but quality control is inconsistent—some sellers list old stock or mislabel fiber content. Read the reviews carefully before ordering, especially for yarn, and check the seller's return policy in case the product does not match the description.

Big-box craft stores: convenience and frequent sales

Michaels, Joann, and Hobby Lobby carry yarn, needles, and notions at prices between yarn shops and online retailers. The selection is smaller than a yarn shop (usually 50 to 100 yarn colors rather than 500), but you can see and touch the yarn before you buy. These stores run frequent sales—Michaels and Joann send coupons in the mail and email, often for 40 to 50 percent off a single item. If you use a coupon, you can match or beat online prices on needles and basic yarn.

The main drawback is that staff are not usually knitters and cannot answer questions about yarn behavior or fiber content beyond what is on the label. These stores are best for buying needles, stitch markers, and basic acrylic yarn when you need it today and have a coupon. Joann is particularly useful if you knit with heavier yarns or need specialty needles, because they stock a wider range of sizes than Michaels. Check their websites before you go—many offer digital coupons that you can load to your account and use at checkout.

Secondhand and thrift sources: lowest total cost

Thrift stores, estate sales, and online secondhand markets sell used yarn and vintage needles at 50 to 80 percent below retail. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local thrift shops often have bins of yarn from estate cleanouts. You will not find exactly what you want, but if you are flexible about color and fiber, you can build a stash cheaply. Vintage metal and bone needles from the 1950s and 1960s are often better quality than modern needles at the same price, and they have a weight and feel that many knitters prefer.

Ravelry has a "Stash" marketplace where knitters sell yarn they no longer use, often at 30 to 50 percent below retail. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist list local yarn sales, often from people clearing out their stash. Etsy has vintage needles and notions, though prices are higher than thrift stores because sellers have already curated the items. Always inspect used yarn for damage, staining, or odors before you commit to a large purchase, and ask the seller how the yarn was stored.

Specialty suppliers for natural fibers and premium tools

Halcyon Yarn specializes in natural fibers—wool, linen, silk, and alpaca—and carries yarn from small mills and indie dyers. Prices are higher than mass-market retailers, but the quality and uniqueness justify the cost if you are making a garment you plan to wear for years. Schoolhouse Press focuses on wool and carries needles and tools designed for durability and long-term use. Both ship nationwide and have knowledgeable staff who can answer technical questions about fiber behavior and needle selection.

If you are looking for a specific yarn that is out of stock everywhere, Ravelry has a "Yarn Search" tool that shows which shops have it in stock. You can also post in the Ravelry forums asking for recommendations on where to find a particular yarn or fiber type. Many indie dyers and small mills sell directly from their websites, often at lower prices than retailers, and some offer custom dye services if you want a color that does not exist yet.

How to decide: a quick decision tree

If you need yarn today and want to see it first, go to a local yarn shop or big-box craft store. If you have time to wait and want the lowest price, order from KnitPicks or Webs. If you want a wide range of brands and do not mind paying a bit more, use Webs or Yarn.com. If you are on a tight budget and flexible about color and fiber, check thrift stores and Ravelry's secondhand marketplace first. If you want premium natural fibers and are willing to pay for quality, order from Halcyon or Schoolhouse Press.

Most knitters end up using multiple sources. You might buy everyday yarn online, specialty yarn at a local shop, needles at a big-box store during a sale, and vintage needles at a thrift store. Over time, you will learn which retailers stock the brands you like and which have the best prices for the items you use most. Keeping a list of your favorite retailers and their typical prices helps you spot a real sale versus regular pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to buy yarn online or at a local shop?

Online is almost always cheaper—typically 20 to 40 percent less than a yarn shop. KnitPicks is the lowest-priced major retailer. Big-box craft stores fall in the middle and often have coupons that can match online prices. The trade-off is that you cannot see or feel the yarn before it arrives online.

What is the difference between KnitPicks, Webs, and Yarn.com?

KnitPicks has the lowest prices because they own their mills, but their selection is smaller and focused on their own brands. Webs carries 10,000+ products from many brands at mid-range prices. Yarn.com specializes in natural fibers and indie dyers. All three offer free shipping on larger orders and have good return policies.

Can I return yarn if I do not like it?

Most online retailers allow returns within 30 days if the yarn is unused and in original packaging. Local yarn shops vary—some accept returns, others do not. Always ask before you buy. Secondhand yarn is usually final sale.

Where can I find vintage needles?

Thrift stores, estate sales, and Etsy are the best sources for vintage needles. Ravelry's marketplace and Facebook Marketplace sometimes have them too. Vintage metal and bone needles are often higher quality than modern plastic needles at the same price.

What should I look for when buying yarn secondhand?

Check for staining, odors, moth damage, or brittleness in the fibers. Gently pull a strand to see if it breaks easily. Ask the seller how long the yarn has been stored and whether it was kept in a smoke-free home. Secondhand yarn is usually final sale, so inspect it carefully before you commit.