Local Yarn Shops
My yarners (those who come to my lessons) often ask me where they can buy yarn locally, i.e. in the South West, Bristol and Bath area. So here is a list of some great local places and some on-line ones as well.
I have not visited all of them, but will try to visit few more in the near future and update the details here. Also there are couple more I will be adding shortly. But in the meanwhile if you know any shops that I have missed or would love to give your support to your favourite one, than please let me know and I’ll update the list with your comments.
Bath
Sew ‘N’ Sew Guildhall Market
11-18 Guildhall Market, Bath BA2 4AW
A long established friendly craft and haberdashery shop in the Guildhall Market. They sell knitting patterns, a huge selection of Sirdar yarns, good value knitting and crochet accessories and buttons. Plus materials for lots of other crafts.
If you need to stock up on needles, crochet hooks, sewing needles and scissors, this is the place for you.
They also have shops at St Nicholas Market in Bristol and in Westbury-on-Trym.
http://www.bathguildhallmarket.co.uk/sew-n-sew/
Wool Bath
19 Old Orchard Street, Bath, BA1 1JU
According to their website the Bath’s finest knitting emporium. They sell beautiful yarn, knitting needles, patters. There is a sofa in the shop inviting you to sit and look trough the books, touch the yarn and plan your new project. They promise to get anything you need if it’s not in stock and they also sell on-line.
Lovely little shop, probably more for those with taste for more luxurious yarn, even though their website says that they cater for all budgets.
Bristol
Fabric Plus, Downend
19 Badminton Road, Downend, Bristol, BS16 6BB
Fabric Plus sell mainly fabric and all things sewing related. But at the end of the shop there are several shelves with yarn. When I went last time they sold Stylecraft yarn and some others. I will have a better look next time and provide a list as there is no mention of the yarn on their web page. The staff are always helpful.
Get Knitted
39 Brislington Hill, Bristol, BS4 5BE
The biggest knitting shop I have found in the South West. They sell wast number of well known and some less known yarns, knitting and crochet ascessories, and huge selection of patterns, pattern books and magazines.
I believe there is a comfy sofa where you can plan your next project or even work on your current one.
Personally I have had too many visits where the shelfs with the yarn I wanted were empty and the staff to busy to help so I have given up on Get Knitted, but when I asked other local crafters they loved this shop.
You can also buy from them on-line.
Kingswood Indoor Market
98 Regent Street, Bristol. Avon, BS15 8HP
I have to admit I have never visited this stall or even this market. But somebody suggested that there is a place to buy yarn. So if you know more, can you please let me know.
Paper Village
200 North Street, Southville Bristol BS3 1JF
According to their website, Paper Village sell ‘loads of fantastic wool ( Stylecraft, Rico, Austermann, King Cole, Sirdar and more).
Pound Stretcher
Bristol Fishponds, Kingswood, Brislington, Bradley Stoke, Bedminster
If you are looking for a value yarn, there are several shops around.
Rainbow Wools
405 Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol BS7 8TS
I’m told that this is a lovely old fashioned yarn shop with lots of choice and lots of help if needed. However, it might be only open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays so please check before visiting. Sadly I can’t find a website.
Sew ‘N’ Sew Bristol
St Nicholas Market, Saint Nicholas Street, Bristol BS1 1LJ
23 Canford lan, Westbury-on-Try, Bristo, BS9 3DQ
Sew ‘N’ Sew sells lots of different art, craft and design supplies, including yarn and patterns.
Cribbs Causeway
John Lewis
The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, BS34 5QU
Great for a good range of yarns, knitting needles and crochet hooks, patterns and other accessories.
Hobbycraft
Centaurus Road, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, BS34 5TS
Hobbycreaft have team up with the WI to create a value yarn. They also sell Sirdar, Pattons, Rowan and more. Plus accessories and books. I have seen they are doing 3 for 2 offer again. I’m not sure if that’s a permanent offer or not.
www.hobbycraft.co.uk/south-west
Elsewhere
The Wool Stop, Thornbury
15 The Plain, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 2BD
This is what their website says ‘Welcome to The Wool Stop, a small independant wool shop based in the heart of the West Country, packed with lovely yarns and other bits and bobs. We have something for everyone from budget acrylics to hand spun Alpaca and take pride in offering a friendly service whether you are in the shop or shopping on line.’
On-line
If you like to shop on-line, but would also like to support local business, than try:
Great British Yarn
Great British Yarn used to have a shop at the Newbridge Trading Estate in Bath which has now closed and they only trade on-line. Which is a great shame, because when I met Sharon, she was the most helpful yarn shop owner I have ever met. She used to stock mostly British yarns and good quality ones, no acrylic only in her shop. But she was so knowledgable, enthusiastic and helpful. She did not mind my daughter in her shop and was trying to make it fun for both of us. Luckily, there is still her website. Which says ‘Great British Yarns – the online shop for discerning knitters.’
Moonlight Yarns
I met Helen from Moonlight Yarns at the Bristol Wool Festival last September. Helen lives in Bristol and hand dyes all the yarn she sells in her kitchen, once her daughter gone to bed 🙂
Helen offers great range of colours, but if you are looking for something specific she will be happy to help.
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/moonlightyarns
If you are looking for large on-line retailers with massive range of yarns and accessories try:
Deramores
You will be spoilt for choice. Easy to search by yarn name, thickness or colour. Dreamers often do offers, especially on your first order, so look our for them in knitting and crochet magazines and their website.
Woolwarehouse
My favourite on-line retailer for accessories and yarn for my lessons. They are reasonably priced, postage is free for orders over £25, have a huge selection, easy to use website and very speedy delivery.
Ravelry
The mecca for all things yarn related. You can access thousands of patterns, many for free, you can search for patterns by craft, type of item, difficulty, yarn, needles, popularity, you name it.
You are all probably using Ravelry, if no, go and register now. They will not use your details for anything else than to allow you to have a profile and save your favourite patterns, details of your projects, past, present and future, to talk to other crafters.
You can also buy and sell your yarn on Ravelry.
Etsy
I guess it deserves a mention here. I have never used it yet, but there are lots of crafters selling their stuff, so if you are looking for yarn or pretty stitch markers to give as presents you might be able to find something here.