Looking for the best places to buy yarn online? You’re in the right place! I’ve put together a complete list of the top online yarn retailers. Plus, this guide will also explain the benefits of shopping for yarn online and provide you with some helpful tips and tricks to make your online shopping experience smooth and stress-free.
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My Top Picks
- LoveCrafts: Affordable yarns, best selection and brand variety, lots of sales and coupons
- KnitPicks & Crochet.com: Best affordable high-quality natural fibers, frequent sales and coupons
- Hobbii: Affordable yarns, best selection and fiber variety, lots of sales and coupons
- Lion Brand: Best affordable acrylics and fiber blends, lots of sales and coupons
Keep reading for more details about these brands and my full list of the best places to buy yarn online.
Skip to a section in this post: Benefits of buying yarn online, Best places to buy yarn online, Tips and tricks for ordering
I know it might seem difficult to order yarn online when you’re used to buying it in person. How will you know what it feels like? What if the color is different from the picture? How long will I have to wait until it gets here!? It can be an adjustment at first, but I’m here to help! In the long run, there are many benefits of buying yarn online.
Benefits of buying yarn online:
Larger selection: With online shopping, you’re no longer limited to a few aisles of yarn at your local craft store. You have a whole colorful world full of yarn right at your fingertips! There are tons of amazing brands and retailers offering affordable, quality yarn in every fiber and color you can imagine, making the selection almost infinite! You might find it difficult to choose when there are so many options, but once you find your favorite yarn lines, you’ll be hooked!
More convenient: The best part about buying yarn online is the convenience! I love that I can order yarn in my pajamas late at night when I get a sudden burst of inspiration for a new project, or browse my favorite online shops during my lunch break.
Easier to budget: Buying yarn online can help you budget your yarn expenditures better. Yes, you could pick up your phone any time and order a cart full of yarn, but typically, when you see the total before ordering, it gives you a chance to reevaluate your purchase. Have you ever shopped a yarn sale at your local craft store and been shocked to see your total? I know I’m not the only one who has been surprised to have grabbed more than I bargained for! When you order online, you can take more time to plan your purchase before paying. Using a digital shopping cart can help you adjust accordingly to stay within budget and reduce impulsive or unnecessary purchases.
Best Places to Buy Yarn Online
Are you ready to dive in and start shopping, but not sure where to begin? First, you’ll want to find a trusted company to order from. Here’s a list of the best places to buy yarn online, complete with details about their selection, price range, and shipping information.
To provide you with good alternatives for craft stores like JoAnn and Michaels, the “Top Picks” on my “Best Places to Buy Yarn Online” list is focused on affordable, budget-friendly yarn companies. After my top picks, I’ll continue my list with more options that range from budget-friendly to luxurious.
And if you’re new to the online yarn marketplace, please keep reading for more tips and things to consider when ordering online!
Keep in mind, I’m in the United States, so shipping information will vary based on your country. Information in my “Best Places to Buy Yarn Online” list is accurate as of April 2025, however, product offerings and shipping information may change over time. Please check the company’s website for more information about their products, delivery, and return policies. Details provided are based on my personal experiences, research, and other reviews from the fiber community.
My Top Picks
1. LoveCrafts
Number one on my list of best places to buy yarn online is LoveCrafts. LoveCrafts is a huge online craft center that carries a wide variety of familiar yarn brands, including Bernat, Caron, Lion Brand, Malabrigo, Paintbox, Patons, Scheepjes, Sirdar, Wool and the Gang, and so many more! LoveCrafts offers tons of affordable, budget-friendly yarns, and they almost always have sales and coupons! They carry every type of fiber and yarn weight, providing you with a super versatile selection. They also offer a great selection of knitting and crocheting tools, fabrics, notions, patterns, and more.
Above: Paintbox Yarns Simply DK acrylic yarn from LoveCrafts.com
LoveCrafts ships worldwide and typically has low shipping costs and quick delivery times, depending on your location. (For US orders, standard delivery is 4-10 business days with free shipping on orders over $65).
2. Knit Picks and Crochet.com
Knit Picks and Crochet.com are essentially the same company with the same products, but with different branding targeted at knitters and crocheters. They offer their own brand of yarn, along with a few others, including Baa Ram Ewe, Berroco, Kelbourne Woolens, King Cole, and Lion Brand. Knit Picks offers a variety of yarn lines that are high-quality, yet very affordable. Plus, they often offer sales and coupons.
Above: Swish DK superwash merino wool yarn from KnitPicks.com
Knit Picks is one of the best options for natural fibers like wool and cotton, but they also have great acrylic options. Additionally, Knit Picks offers a good selection of yarn blends with premium fibers such as cashmere, linen, mohair, silk, and modal. These blends cost a little more than Knit Picks’ standard wool and cotton yarn lines, but they remain budget-friendly for their high-quality fiber content. Most Knit Picks‘ yarns have vast color selections so you can find the perfect colors for your projects in any fiber type and yarn weight. They also carry crochet hooks, knitting needles, blocking tools, spinning wheels, yarn swifts & winders, notions, patterns, and more.
Knit Picks and Crochet.com ship to the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Their delivery is typically less than 10 business days (5-7 business days for US, and 8-14 business days for Australia), and they offer free shipping on orders over a minimum threshold. You can read more about their shipping costs and times here.
3. Hobbii
Hobbii is a large online yarn retailer based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Hobbii carries its own brand of exclusive yarns, along with a handful of yarns from familiar brands including Bernat, Cotton Kings, Red Heart, and more. Through their Hobbii, Friends, and Go Handmade brands, you’ll find an amazing selection of affordable, quality yarns; cottons, acrylics, wools, blends, chenille/blanket yarns, and every fiber in between. Another thing Hobbii’s best-selling yarns are known for is their vast color selections. They also offer a wide variety of knitting and crochet tools and accessories, and tons of free patterns.
Above: Rainbow and Friends cotton yarns from Hobbii.com
Hobbii always has sales running, which you can find on their homepage. Plus, they offer buy-more-save-more discounts on many of their yarn lines, and they have a Point Store where you can cash in points you’ve earned for fun items like buttons, stitch markers, yarn minis, and my favorite, the crochet hook key ring! Hobbii’s shipping is typically fast and affordable, depending on your location. (For US orders, about $4.99 or free on orders over $99, with delivery time of about 4-8 business days).
4. Lion Brand
Lion Brand is a brand that you might be familiar with from JoAnn or Michaels craft stores. Lion Brand offers its own brand of yarn in a variety of different fibers, weights, and colors. While Lion Brand may be best known for its wool and acrylic yarns, it also offers cotton, linen, bamboo, and more fun fibers. Lion Brand also has a lot of unique offerings, such as faux fur, fuzzy chenille and sherpa yarns, faux leather, recycled yarns, self-striping cakes, and glow-in-the-dark yarns. There’s always something new to try in their store! Lion Brand has a smaller selection of hooks, needles, notions, and tools, but their website still likely has everything you need to complete your project from start to finish.
Above: Touch of Linen and 24/7 Cotton yarn from LionBrand.com
One of the great things about Lion Brand is that they almost always have a yarn sale running, which you’ll see displayed at the top of their website. They also have a rewards program, so you can earn points from every purchase to get discounts on future orders. Lion Brand offers both domestic and international shipping, with domestic shipping to the US taking about 3-9 business days. I have experienced the occasional delay in shipping, but Lion Brand will always notify customers of delays, and I really don’t mind the wait.
Want to learn more about specific yarns from these online stores? I share yarn reviews and annual top 10 lists featuring my favorite yarn and crochet/knitting products from all of these companies! Click here to read my yarn reviews and top 10 lists!
More recommendations
If you’re new to buying yarn online, I highly recommend starting with one of the 4 options listed above for the most easy-going shopping experience. With all 4 of my Top Picks for best places to buy yarn online, you’ll find affordable yarn and fibers you’re familiar with. However, if you’re feeling adventurous and looking for even more places to shop, here’s a list of additional options for diversifying your yarn stash!
Yarnspirations
Yarnspirations website is another good alternative for those who are familiar with JoAnn’s yarns. Yarnspirations offers a lot of popular brands, including Bernat, Caron, Lily Sugar n’ Cream, Patons, and Red Heart. This is a great place to look for your favorite velvet and blanket yarns, along with all other types of fibers from these well-known brands. They also offer lots of hooks, needles, and tools from trusted brands such as Susan Bates.
Above: Bernat Velvet and Velvet Plus, and Bernat Softee Cotton from Yarnspirations.com
Yarnspirations currently only ships to the US and Canada. If you’re looking for a company that ships globally, I highly recommend checking out LoveCrafts, which was number 1 on my Top Picks list!
We Are Knitters
We Are Knitters (WAK) is a smaller yarn brand that carries all-natural fibers made in Peru. Their natural fibers include wool, baby alpaca, merino, and pima cotton. WAK uses environmentally friendly practices to produce their yarn. Their yarn is a little bit more pricey than your typical budget-friendly/value yarns, however, the additional price you pay is for the exceptional quality of the natural fibers. They offer every yarn weight from lace to super bulky, along with knitting needles, crochet hooks, and a variety of additional tools and accessories. WAK also offers a great selection of trendy knit and crochet kits.
Above: The Wool from WeAreKnitters.com (photos sourced from WeAreKnitters.com)
We Are Knitters offers yarn bundles at a discount, and they also have a rewards program that allows you to convert your points to monetary savings. We Are Knitters ships to most countries and typically offers quick, affordable shipping depending on your location. (Standard delivery in the US is about 3-8 days at a rate of $6.90 or free for orders over $100.)
Wool and the Gang
Wool and the Gang is another yarn brand that focuses heavily on providing on-trend knit and crochet kits to help inspire new projects for all skill levels. They offer a variety of yarn weights and fibers, including wool, cashmere, cotton, tencel, mohair, alpaca, raffia, and more. Wool and the Gang boasts that their yarn is premium quality and sustainably sourced. They also offer many upcycled yarns. Their yarn is in the pricier range, given that it is higher quality and uses premium fibers. Their website also offers knitting needles, crochet hooks, and additional tools and accessories.
Above: Crazy Sexy Wool and Back for Good Cashmere yarns from WoolandtheGang.com (photos sourced from WoolandtheGang.com)
Wool and the Gang offers yarn bundles at a discount of up to 20% off. They ship to most countries and typically offer fast, affordable shipping depending on your location. (Standard delivery in the US is about 3-7 business days at a rate of $6.95 or free for orders over $70.)
Knitting for Olive
Knitting for Olive is a smaller yarn company from Denmark dedicated to producing high-quality yarns with a strong commitment to animal welfare, environmentally friendly practices, and social responsibility. They offer luxurious, cruelty-free natural fibers including merino wool, mohair, cashmere, a cotton/merino blend, recycled wool, and pure silk. While their selection of yarns is smaller, Knitting for Olive’s yarns have a variety of beautiful colors to choose from. They also sell knitting patterns, knitting needles, and a small selection of handy tools. Their prices are comparable to Knit Picks’ prices, making them an affordable option for high-quality natural fibers.
Above: Plum Rose colorway and Soft Silk Mohair yarn from KnittingforOlive.com (photos sourced from KnittingforOlive.com)
Knitting for Olive ships worldwide, and they typically offer free shipping for first-time customers.
Hand-dyed Yarn
This is the most high-end option on my list of recommendations, but one of the most exciting worlds of yarn to explore. Independent dyers have unique, high-quality yarn that you won’t find anywhere else. Most well-known dyers offer a variety of merino wools, suri, and mohair, however, some dyers also offer other natural fibers such as cotton, bamboo, hemp, silk, or linen.
Since hand-dyed yarn is in the luxury price range, it’s an investment you will want to put careful thought and planning into. (Though I’ll admit, I’ve grabbed a couple hanks here and there just because “IT’S SO PRETTY!”) But realistically, unless you have an enormous budget for yarn, hand-dyed yarn isn’t something most fiber artists can afford to buy too much of. I would advise having a pattern or project in mind before ordering and making sure it’s a project that’s worthy of the cost for you. Next, make sure to check the dyer’s information about their yarn bases to ensure you’re ordering the right weight and fiber content for your project. And lastly, make sure to order enough yardage for your project. Since hand-dyed yarn is dyed in small batches, dye lots will vary, or the specific color you ordered may never be available again.
It’s important to note that dyers don’t always offer in-stock yarn, and some will sell yarn in a pre-order fashion. Always make sure to read all the details about the yarn and shipping process before ordering!
Above: Sewrella Yarn minis from SewrellaYarn.com
Hand-dyed yarn is definitely more of an investment and requires more time and care, but it’s worth the added value to your projects. Hand-dyed yarn is sold in “hank” form, which means it will need to be wound before you can use it. Some dyers may offer a “yarn caking” service where they wind it for you, but otherwise, you’ll need to wind it yourself using a yarn swift and ball winder. (My favorite yarn swifts and winders are from Knit Picks!) It may be an extra step, but your unique handmade pieces are worth the extra effort and attention.
Some of my favorite small batch indie yarn dyers are Sewrella Yarn, Fuzzy Peach Fibers, Hue Loco, Poppy and Spruce Fibers, Dusty Yarn Co., Camellia Yarn Company, Moonglow Yarn Co., and Red Door Fibre Studio
I’m always on the lookout for more independent dyers, and I often share and tag my favorites on Instagram. You can follow along, @noelebellecrochet, to join me on all of my yarn adventures!
Purl Soho
Purl Soho is an independent, women-owned business run by knitters. They offer their own brand of unique natural fiber yarns in a variety of gorgeous colors. Purl Soho’s prices range from budget-friendly to high-end depending on the yarn line and fiber content. They have everything from classic merino wool and organically grown cotton fibers to more luxurious offerings like camel and silk. They also offer patterns and a great selection of tools and notions.
Above: Cattail Silk and Nine Note Bundle yarns from PurlSoho.com (photos sourced from PurlSoho.com)
Purl Soho ships internationally, and they offer free US shipping on orders over $85.
Wool Warehouse
Wool Warehouse is a large independent online yarn retailer based in the UK. They carry tons of well-known brands, including but not limited to Bernat, Caron, Drops, Lion Brand, Malabrigo, Rowan, Scheepjes, and Sirdar. Their yarns vary in price range, but most of their offerings are in the budget-friendly category. Wool Warehouse is a one-stop fiber arts shop with a huge selection of yarn, fabric, needlecraft supplies, patterns, tools, notions, and more.
Above: Yarnsmiths Kid Silk Mohair and Create DK from WoolWarehouse.co.uk (photos sourced from WoolWarehouse.co.uk)
Wool Warehouse ships to most countries internationally, and typically has quick and affordable delivery, depending on your location. You can read more about their delivery information here.
Amazon
Amazon offers many different yarn brands, including but not limited to Bernat, Knit Picks, Lion Brand, Loops & Threads, Malabrigo, Sirdar, and Wool and the Gang. One thing to consider when shopping for yarn on Amazon is that it can be more expensive than buying directly from the brand or one of the other retailers mentioned above. The selection is also typically more limited. However, if you’re in a pinch, Amazon can be a good place to shop for yarn. Amazon is also a great source for crochet hooks, knitting tools, pattern books, and other supplies that you may need, such as blocking tools for garments and safety eyes for amigurumi.
Some of my Amazon favorites: Clover Amour crochet hook set, Clover Amour jumbo crochet hook set, safety eyes set, set of 1 inch buttons, knit blocking pins, Woolove blocking mats, HiLIFE steamer, collapsible tub for blocking, elastic hair ties for scrunchies, LED neck reading light for crocheting in darker settings
Amazon typically has fast, affordable delivery, and some items are eligible for Prime shipping. Make sure to check each item for specific shipping information.
Facebook Marketplace
Important: Use this option at your own risk! I ONLY recommend this option for consumers who are familiar with buying/selling through Facebook Marketplace.
This is a more obscure addition to my list of best places to buy yarn online, but I believe it’s worth mentioning! If you are familiar with Facebook Marketplace and have yet to search for yarn, it’s definitely worth a try, and you just might score a great deal! The most important thing to consider is your safety. Facebook Marketplace is an online marketplace where anyone with a Facebook account can sell new or used goods (kinda like an online garage sale). Some sellers will ship items to you, while others opt for local pickup. Always be on the lookout for scams or anything that seems unsafe when purchasing through Facebook Marketplace; use common sense, check out the seller’s profile and rating before purchasing, and practice safety and caution if you’re picking up from a seller locally. You can also request to meet in a public area for local pickup.
This is also a good way to de-stash yarn! I’ve sold plenty of unused yarn from my stash on Facebook Marketplace, and I think it’s a great way to give my yarn a new purpose (and make some money back!) once I’ve realized that I will probably never end up using it. Again, I ONLY recommend selling through Facebook Marketplace if you’ve used it before, and always practice safety and caution.
Tips & Tricks for Buying Yarn Online
The two most challenging aspects of purchasing yarn online are not being able to feel its texture or see the true color. While it’s impossible to reach through the screen and touch the yarn, I have some tips to help you get a better feel for the yarn before ordering it.
See the yarn in action
Read reviews: Reading reviews is so important if you’re buying a new type of yarn and want to know what it feels like. Look for keywords that mention how soft or stiff the yarn is, and how easy or difficult it is to work with. You can read reviews directly on the product page, or you can also search for additional reviews on YouTube and Google.
Do a deep dive: If you still have questions after reading reviews, I recommend doing a deep dive to find out more about the yarn! Two great places to search for yarn are Ravelry and Instagram. Visit Ravelry’s yarn search page and type in the name of the yarn to find tons of finished projects made by other artists. You can also search the name of the yarn + colorway on Instagram to discover more photos and videos of the yarn in use and in finished projects. Instagram is a great option because you’ll find more video content from other fiber artists that can help show what the color looks like in different lighting! This may be an extra step, but it’s so helpful to see the yarn in action to get a better idea of what it looks like and to see if it matches your vision.
I have tons of yarn reviews right here on my blog! Check my product review section for yarn reviews and my annual top 10 favorites lists, where I give the scoop on all my favorite yarn lines!
Try it out
Order samples: Not sure if you’re going to love a new yarn enough to buy a whole sweater quantity? Order a variety of yarn lines from the company in smaller quantities (like one or two skeins each) to feel them and get acquainted with them first! That way, you can get familiar with the yarn and discover which ones you like the best for your larger projects.
Start small: If you’re on the fence about a new yarn, I recommend finding a small project that you can make with just one or two skeins to sample the yarn. Washcloths, hair accessories, socks, small bags, coasters, or even small amigurumi patterns are all great ideas if you’re looking for small crochet or knitting projects.
Pro tip: I have a bunch of free crochet patterns on my blog with low yardage requirements that you can use to sample new yarns!
Learn from experience: My best advice is that you will learn so much through your own experience, so don’t be afraid to try something new! Before shopping online, I had only tried a small variety of cotton, wool, and acrylic yarns from my local craft stores. With the wider selection available online, I’ve found so many new fibers that I love and learned so much more about the wonderful world of yarn!
Save money
Wait for a sale: Who doesn’t love a good sale? Most online yarn retailers have sales often, so if you don’t want to pay full price, make sure to sign up for their email newsletters to get notified when they’re having a sale. Plus, you’ll usually get a welcome coupon just for signing up!
Plan ahead: It’s always good to have a project in mind. If you know what you’re planning on making, it will be easier to find the perfect yarn. Once you have a pattern ready to go or a project planned out, you can easily apply filters to search by fiber type (cotton, wool, acrylic, etc.) and yarn weight (fingering, DK, worsted, etc.). Then just check the yardage in the product description and make sure to order the right amount for your project! Ordering enough yarn for your project is super important as dye lots can vary and may not be consistent if you run out of yarn and need to order more.
Check shipping and return policies: Knowledge is power! Make sure to arm yourself with information about a company’s shipping practices and return policies so you don’t run into any surprises. Plus, it’s always good to check if the company offers free shipping for orders over a certain threshold to help you save money on shipping fees!
In conclusion:
There are so many benefits of buying yarn online, from expanding your options to saving money. There are also tons of different companies to order from, so you can find the perfect yarns within your price range. If you’re feeling unsure, take some extra time to learn more about the yarn by reading reviews, or buy a small sample first! And lastly, always check for sales, plan ahead, and read the shipping/return policies!
Throughout my years of buying yarn online, I’ve found soooo many new favorites that I would have never discovered if I had just relied on my local craft stores. Out of all the new types of yarn that I’ve purchased, I’ve really only found a couple of types that I didn’t love. And now that I have my favorites and know about the best places to buy yarn online, I can always go back to those tried-and-true yarns, but of course, it’s always fun to try new ones too!
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What’s next? Leave a comment below and let me know if you have any questions or favorites you’d like to share! Read more of my yarny posts on this blog. And add me on Instagram so we can be fiber friends!
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Thank you for reading my Best Places to Buy Yarn Online blog post!
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