Where to get yarn????

Hey All,

I will be doing a transatlantic next year, visiting London, Paris, Cork, Ireland, Dubin, Ireland and Holyhead Wales. I know in Cork there are the woolen mills but I assume it sells cloth not yarn. Am I right? Do anyone know where I can get some nice yarn? I am an avid crocheter and knitter and I know that many of the stores in the US sell a lot of imports now but I would like to pick up something I can't get in the states. Any ideas???

Try a search in the yellow pages of the city you will be visiting. The Brits are avid knitters--shouldn't have a problem finding yarn. I found some in a department store in Edinburg--haven't tried in any of your cities. Someone on these boards will have abetter answer for you. Pat

Hey All,

 

 

I will be doing a transatlantic next year, visiting London, Paris, Cork, Ireland, Dubin, Ireland and Holyhead Wales. I know in Cork there are the woolen mills but I assume it sells cloth not yarn. Am I right? Do anyone know where I can get some nice yarn? I am an avid crocheter and knitter and I know that many of the stores in the US sell a lot of imports now but I would like to pick up something I can't get in the states. Any ideas???

You could try Libertys in London and any branch of John Lewis Department stores but try both of their web sites to see what they have.

You could try Libertys in London and any branch of John Lewis Department stores but try both of their web sites to see what they have.

Thanks for the info but checked both their websites and neither seem to carry it.

I think I remember seeing yarn at the Woolen Mills in Cork but I don't see it on their web site. I think it was on the second floor near the rugs and throws. We were there last month. You could email them.

http://www.blarney.com/blarneyshop.htm

Thanks for the info but checked both their websites and neither seem to carry it.

In that case not sure what you mean by yarn, Sue.

In that case not sure what you mean by yarn, Sue.

Just regular knitting yarn, though maybe they don't sell it online that is why it is not there.

I think I remember seeing yarn at the Woolen Mills in Cork but I don't see it on their web site. I think it was on the second floor near the rugs and throws. We were there last month. You could email them.

 

http://www.blarney.com/blarneyshop.htm

Oh, I am planning a trip to the woolen mills I will definitely look, thanks for the info.

We Brits are avid knitters, and I am confident that you will find yarn in any of the cities you're visiting in the UK.... but ask for wool - that's what we call it. If the city has a branch of John Lewis (large department store) they will definitely have a department that sells wool, otherwise just ask any of the locals where you can buy wool and you're sure to be directed to a local shop.

The larger deparment stores, do have knitting yarns, but you will be better off as someone else suggested, looking in yellow pages on arrival and seeking out one of the smaller specialist shops. There are lots of them. Also check out the general markets, there is usualy good wool stalls there.

You will be able to buy some of the heavier yarns in the woolen shops in Dublin and Cork.

Good luck

Karen

We Brits are avid knitters, and I am confident that you will find yarn in any of the cities you're visiting in the UK.... but ask for wool - that's what we call it. If the city has a branch of John Lewis (large department store) they will definitely have a department that sells wool, otherwise just ask any of the locals where you can buy wool and you're sure to be directed to a local shop.

thanks for the advice it is appreciated.

Just regular knitting yarn, though maybe they don't sell it online that is why it is not there.

Over here we tend to call it Knitting wool and you are probably right in saying they do not have it on line.

They do sell it in John Lewis.

Coats is one of our best known sellers of yarns so take a look at their site

www.coatscrafts.co.uk

They are stocked in most craft and department stores.

Over here we tend to call it Knitting wool and you are probably right in saying they do not have it on line.

They do sell it in John Lewis.

Coats is one of our best known sellers of yarns so take a look at their site

www.coatscrafts.co.uk

They are stocked in most craft and department stores.

thanks very much!!!

thanks very much!!!

The one problem you might have is the cost, specially with the poor exchange rate at the moment.

I usually get embroidery silks/threads for my sister in law when I visit the States as they are about one third of the price over here in England.

The one problem you might have is the cost, specially with the poor exchange rate at the moment.

I usually get embroidery silks/threads for my sister in law when I visit the States as they are about one third of the price over here in England.

The price wouldn't bother me IF it was something I couldn't get in the states. I love yarn and what I can create with it, but with all the imports here now I am not sure if I will really find anything unusual. But it won't stop me from looking. :rolleyes:

The price wouldn't bother me IF it was something I couldn't get in the states. I love yarn and what I can create with it, but with all the imports here now I am not sure if I will really find anything unusual. But it won't stop me from looking. :rolleyes:

good for you...and good luck with your quest!

Check the irelandexpert.com website, Pat Preston has a wealth of information which includes where to purchase yarn in Dublin.

such a wealth of information on these boards,who would have thought a request for yarn would produce the replies it has.

Excellent.:)

For those of you across the pond, I hve a related question. I spin wool (on a spinning wheel) and am wondering if raw wool is called "wool" too? I was going to try and purchase wool from a shepard while I'm in Ireland. Is that, too, called wool? I don't want the yarn, I want the raw wool from sheep breeds which are more common in the British Isles than here (in Maryland or the Eastern Seaboard).

For those of you across the pond, I hve a related question. I spin wool (on a spinning wheel) and am wondering if raw wool is called "wool" too? I was going to try and purchase wool from a shepard while I'm in Ireland. Is that, too, called wool? I don't want the yarn, I want the raw wool from sheep breeds which are more common in the British Isles than here (in Maryland or the Eastern Seaboard).

Wow you spin your own? That is wonderful! I would wonder about any issues with bringing raw wool, is that considered a no- no for customs? So you might want to see if you can find out about regulations.

Wow you spin your own? That is wonderful! I would wonder about any issues with bringing raw wool, is that considered a no- no for customs? So you might want to see if you can find out about regulations.

My MIL used to spin her own wool. You would probably be better asking for a "fleece". Here it is not considered "wool" till spun.

If your cruise brings you to the Isle of Man, you can buy a Loaghtan fleece (A double horned sheep)

There is a yarn store in the Cork market. I don't know the name. i made a quick visit(had the hubby with me).

I always thought unspun spin ready wool was called "roving". Perhaps thats only in new england : )

Btw sue have you ever been to the new york sheep and wool festival. It's fiber heaven.

There is a yarn store in the Cork market. I don't know the name. i made a quick visit(had the hubby with me).

 

I always thought unspun spin ready wool was called "roving". Perhaps thats only in new england : )

 

Btw sue have you ever been to the new york sheep and wool festival. It's fiber heaven.

No, where and when it is usually held. That sounds great. Edited to say I just googled it and it is in two weeks. Thanks from me though I am not sure how hubby feels. LOL

For those of you across the pond, I hve a related question. I spin wool (on a spinning wheel) and am wondering if raw wool is called "wool" too? I was going to try and purchase wool from a shepard while I'm in Ireland. Is that, too, called wool? I don't want the yarn, I want the raw wool from sheep breeds which are more common in the British Isles than here (in Maryland or the Eastern Seaboard).

Have a friend who used to spin the fleece of Jacobs sheep then knit into garments , beautiful shades of brown and cream

There is a yarn store in the Cork market. I don't know the name. i made a quick visit(had the hubby with me).

 

I always thought unspun spin ready wool was called "roving". Perhaps thats only in new england : )

 

Btw sue have you ever been to the new york sheep and wool festival. It's fiber heaven.

Thanks for the info. We will probably make a stop in Cork. Yes, unspun ready wool is called "roving" for making woolen-prepared wool yarn (imagine woolen mittens) or "top" for making worsted-prepared yarn (less airy, think worsted wool skirt) But I really want a wool fleece, although I'm not sure I could use an entire fleece. For some reason, I wouldn't have thout to ask for a "fleece," so thank you! Now I have to ask about that export issue.... not sure if a fleece, or any amount of raw wool, can be exported or not.