"BIG BOX" YARN SHOPPING.  

Hi folks! This is a little different than usual, but I wanted to share a bit about my thoughts on the "big box" craft stores in my area. No show notes for this one other than the links in the description. I'll be sharing more about the things I purchased on upcoming episodes of the podcast. See you Sunday! PS: This video moves along at a good clip intentionally. I edit these rambles like this to keep the pace moving. If you would like to watch at a lower rate of speed, simply adjust the playback speed in the video window.

Hobby Lobby is NOT a craft store that I will ever give my money to.

I am a big fan of Joann's. Michaels is pretty good. Due to the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court case, I won't spend my money there. I love the new Joann's K&C line of yarns - natural fibers and fun colors in hanks!

I really appreciate you chatting about big box craft stores. As someone who grew up with financial instability, my mom and I always bought our yarn at these stores because we couldn’t afford anything else. Now as an adult living pretty comfortably, I shop everywhere at my LYS, Michaels/Joanns and indie hand-dyers! I find diversifying my shopping experience brings me fresh inspiration, and honestly going to big box craft stores reminds me of my mom ❤ so I love going there. My mom taught me that it doesn’t matter if the yarn or supplies are from here or there, as long as you create something with love and passion, that’s all that matters ❤

I just really love that you normalize using budget yarns from regular stores. I feel like sometimes within the knitting community there is a stigma placed on using more budget friendly yarns. I totally get wanting to use quality products. We are total ice cream snobs at our house and if it isn't Blue Bell we just don't really want it. 🤣😂🤣 But it's just nice to hear someone talk about "quality" yarn that may not be a total animal fiber and is mass produced. And I think it means so much more coming from you, someone who is a true artist that actually has her own line of hand dyed yarn! Which, by the way, I have ordered yarn from you and it has definitely been the most luxurious yarn I have ever used and it is a true joy to knit with. You are doing good things on your channel so keep up the good work! 🙂

Another consideration for me when I give my money to businesses is how they treat their employees. Hobby Lobby does not pay for Plan B, the morning after pill or two kinds of iuds for their workers. I don't think employers should be deciding women's health care, instead I think that's between employees and their doctors so I don't shop at Hobby Lobby. I would rather give my money to Michael's or Joann's when I shop at a big box store.

Hobby Lobby is a total NO . I do buy at Michaels, some yarn from Michaels. Joanns , here is just so,so for yarn. Selection for big box stores depends on where you live. I found a very nice Mandala from Walmart.

I won’t shop at hobby lobby.

Love your podcast and this was a great episode. I have all three stores relatively close my favorite being JoAnn. I will not shop in Hobby Lobby.

Another great., informative video! I won’t shop at Hobby Lobby because they refuse to offer crafts to use for Jewish holidays. I cannot step foot in there as much as I may be tempted. The closest big box stores to me are about an hour away. Michaels and Hobby Lobby are my options. An hour and 15 away is a Joann’s but when I went there it was very limited. The Michaels near me is just ok. I tend to make most of my knitting supply and yarn purchases online but do go to Michaels sometimes for good prices on manmade fiber yarn to use for knitting as part of a group I belong to which knits and crochets for service projects for hospitals around the country.

I also like jewelry findings to use as stitch markers. They are cost effective, colorful and fit most needle sizes.

Have you looked into the, um, ethics of the Hobby Lobby company? You might want to check that out, if only for the entertainment of the artifact smuggling saga, but there are some very questionable things about that company if you look.

I only have Michael's and Hobby Lobby near me and I refuse to shop at Hobby Lobby. Whenever I have to go to bigger towns/cities for conferences of meetings, I make sure to stop at Jo Ann so I can buy fabric and yarn in person. The nearest one is 45 minutes away and it's closing soon. The next closest one is nearly 2 hours from here - but fortunately it's in a shopping center with Trader Joe's (the closest one to us). And it's always on my way home from pretty much anything work-related that happens outside of my local library system. Speaking of libraries - you can probably find quite a few knitting and crochet books at your library in paper and electronic formats. It's free :)

I will never shop at Hobby Lobby. I'm surprised that you will shop there. I had gathered that honesty and principals were very important to you.

Thank you for the Big Box reviews. I’ve found Joanne’s works for me more than Michaels. I’ve just moved to another state and now have Hobby Lobby near by. Looking forward to stopping by. I like to see the colors in natural light and also to touch the yarn.

I enjoy Joann’s and hobby lobby. It has been quite some time since I’ve taken a trip. They’re both half hr away but I see I need to get my butt there 😂😍

Tayler can you imagine how excited I am. Today I listened to this podcast and picked up two parcels from my post office. One parcel was my Mandala wool from my local big box store here in Australia (Spotlight) and the other was my Fishermen’s Wool from Joann all the way from the USA!! I’m using that wool for my husband’s sweater so will shortly be joining the KAL. so excited!!! 😊😊

I bought yarn for my first sweater at my local yarn store, $$. I fretted over the cost, the inability to knit a sweater and understand the pattern. Found some wool ease at JoAnns, happily knitting my sweater for $20. Will feel more confident to knit the next one. ❤😂

I have a HL a mile away, yes it’s dangerous! 😂 And a Michael’s and a Joann about 2 miles away. To say this made me very happy when I bought my house… is an understatement.🤣 Priorities, right?

I live in a city of 120 000 people in Eastern Finland. Right here, in the center of the city, we have !3! AMAZING local yarn stores ❤

Just a heads up - and no shame, lots of people don't know and you're absolutely right, this is sometimes the only option - but Hobby Lobby has a history of being . . . pretty unfair and discriminatory against LGBT people. It sucks, and I don't shop there for lots of reasons including that. Just wanted to let you know in case that was a factor in your shopping. Besides that, really good video! I only have a Michaels near me, but I wish I had a Joanns as well. :/

I live in Scotland and my eyes are on stalks at the size of these stores. We have nothing like this over here. Once again, a super-accessible podcast. Thanks!

Tayler, I REALLY REALLY appreciate that you include content on your channel relating to more affordable yarn options from big box craft stores. Lately, I've even been sourcing yarn from $Tree. They've been bringing it lately with their yarn selection and it's not half bad! I've been crocheting and knitting for a very long time and as a once stay at home, homeschooling mama living in a one income household, all I could afford was yarn from big box stores. THANK GOODNESS for the Fishermen's Wool because there were times where I would treat myself to it when I wanted to make a little special something for myself or as a gift to a family member or friend. That is a fancy as I could get and I was totally ok with that. In the now times, natural fiber yarn is still exorbitant for my budget so buying the more affordable yarn still makes sense to me. I've been mostly an accessories knitter and crocheter over the years but now I'd like to dive into garment knitting. And while I'm working out the kinks, you bet Imma use the acrylic/cotton/wool blends until I have mastered garment making. One day maybe, I will purchase a sweater quantities worth of natural fiber yarn but for now, I'll be in my little hand making corner with my human made yarns purchased at the big box store. Also, your granny square mug coaster has TOTALLY inspired me to make one for almost everyone I know! They'e been so fun to make and give as gifts!!

I unabashedly LOVE big box craft stores. I love a good LYS too, OF COURSE, but browsing big box craft stores is just....my idea of a good time

Thank you! I appreciated your points about not having to feel bad about shopping at these stores. And peripheral accessories/free patterns wasn't a consideration I had before. I do go to all three stores for different needs (usually based on the particular yarn I'm looking for because I want to see it in person before I buy it). I feel very nostalgic for all three stores because of my mom and aunts. ❤ I just have to walk around in one of them for good memories and inspiration. RIP AC Moore. And I still do support local yarn store businesses, especially on vacation. I'm sending this to my mom to watch!

I live in the Netherlands and I wish that we had Big Box craft stores here. In the city that I live in, there are 2 very small yarn shops and one chain craft store with a limited amount of acrylic yarn selection, however, it’s only a fraction of the size of the shops you showed here in the video 😄 I can only dream of going to Michaels, Hobby Lobby or Joann, I probably would break the bank if I ever do lol

Hey Tayler! Here in Chile we have the RevesDerecho (a fair translation would be WrongsideRightside) and Modista Stores and I have to admit that they carry a great selection of yarns, notions and books. We also have smaller yarn businesses (like Madeja Sur or Madejaoveja) from which I prefer to buy from, but like you said, sometimes convenience rules :) A family member will probably fly up to Denver for a conference so I might be able to add a little of your yarns to my stash :D

That Truboo bamboo yarn is absolutely beautiful to wear !! I’m wearing a tank top today ( Slanting Slip-On by Anne Ventzel) highly recommend but be careful of length as this yarn blooms beautifully when blocked and grows in length mainly - a little in width too. Enjoy the summer knitting 🧶 💚

I think I am turning into a Tayler fan girl lol 🤣🤣 My favourite podcast on youtube so far. I love that you present a lot of budget options for yarn, especially in this current climate! We don't have a lot of choice for 'big box' craft stores in the UK unfortunately. I love the look of Joann's!

Hi Tayler. Just have to add my two cents here. The reason big box stores aren't usually well stocked or organized is that the jobs there aren't based on knowledge of yarns or needlework but rather stocking shelves and tidying. The pandemic took my job in a LYS here in Canada away and it was so sad that as we were closing people would show up WITH yarn from Michael's (3 hours away!) and ask me to research patterns for them. If we had had a bit more customer support, the store may have survived. Saving money is great, but small businesses need help in this economic climate and we should shop with that in mind if we can. I would have done anything to save my job--it was a dream come true.

I don’t know if anyone has pointed this out, but chainette yarns and blown yarns are NOT the same thing. In chainette yarns the plying technique creates a hollow tube that causes the yarn to be lighter weight, and look a little like a crochet chain or i-cord. They have a lot of elasticity. Blown yarns are fiber blown into a mesh tube. They are not very elastic due to the mesh construction and look more like a traditional yarn, albeit a little fuzzy perhaps from the fiber.

I must admit I really liked those tiny and ever so quirky knitting highlighters so I had to go to Hobby Lobby and pick them up. I'm so glad I did, it was the last set there and I did find yarns that were marked down ridiculously low, so I purchased them too. The lady working there let me know they are reducing their yarn crafting section to make more room for seasonal items. That was sad news considering it's supposed to be a hobby store not a seasonal decor store. Thank you for sharing those adorable little highlighters they are super fun!

i live in Australia, and the main big box craft stores we have here are called Spotlight and Lincraft. as far as knitting and crochet go, there is a very limited amount of stuff available at lincraft, they tend to focus mainly on sewing. Spotlight has a wider range available and is definitely the go to big box store for yarn crafts in Australia.

Love the video. I visit all three for different things. I made my first sweater out of some yarn bee acrylic and I love it. It’s so soft (their Dk low pile) and the color is amazing. I love how you show the splurge yarns and then also show us how to knit on a budget

Your podcast is so refreshing in your acceptance of a variety of yarn choices. I live hundreds of miles from a local yarn store and shop for wool and plant fiber yarns at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's, as well as online sources. It's not just that there are no other local sources in my area (and really, Hobby Lobby and JoAnn are not local for me either), but also price point is a major consideration for me. Your podcast is great. I like the way you think!

My first craft store was the Walmart in our little town. Red Heart yarn makes me nostalgic for that reason. I tend to like Joann's cause they have the best coupons. I know Micheals and Joanns both have apps. Micheal's is actually pretty nice. You can select your store, search for an item and it will tell you which aisle it should be on. I wish they all did that.

I have a local Joann's, Michael's and Hobby Lobby , but I mostly frequent Joann's because of the selection of yarns and needles!

Michaels was the store I purchased my first ball of yarn and knitting needles...I worked at Michaels. Some stores have way bigger yarn departments with good yarn selection.I learned a lot about different hobbies. I agree the selection of natural fibers was kinda limited. My favorite place to find yarn is hobbly lobby.

I go to Joanns for yarn, cloth, embroidery stuff and hooks (in a pinch), I go to Micheal's for craft supplies but not crochet supplies. I don't typically go to Hobby Lobby but I will once in a while for cute crochet accessories. I do have that project journal as well as a cute tin and bag. I wish more places had the cute crochet/ knitting fun accessories.

The Joannes nearest me had a dismal yarn selection and I haven’t gone in awhile but because of this podcast I went. Their yarn department almost tripled and they enlarged their needle and motion selection. Thanks for the inspiration

Thank you for this video. I appreciate that you understand a budget and I just don't have 30.00 for a scien of yarn. I love that you are not a yarn snob. Keep up the great job!

We only have one big craft store in the U.K. called ‘HobbyCraft’ however we have a few online stores such as wool warehouse, and if I’m feeling spendy then I’ll order from ‘wool and the gang’, or ‘we are knitters’ 😊

I’ve made a decision for 2023 to shop my stash. Some of my largest quantities of yarn were purchased in the early days of my learning to knit, hence Walmart purchases. Since the first of the year, I’ve knitted 4 baby blankets (rash of babies due this year), using skeins totaling around 1000 yds each. Thrilled to be knocking this part of my stash down. When I’m finished with the babies, I’ll move on to my natural fibers (all of which I’ve purchased from Knit Picks). It has been liberating to stay out of HL & JoAnn’s in my area this year. My yarn stash is declining! Yippee!

I live on southern Vancouver island and i guess we are spoiled. There are 6 LYS within a 45 minute drive of me and two Michaels. We tend to spread the love around.

I actually like the Caron cakes quite a bit for projects that will take a lot of wear and for gifts to people who won't hand wash and lay flat to dry. 😁 I guess Michaels isn't as blah as I thought compared to the other big box stores.

In an earlier comment, I said I would avoid big box stores, but one advantage they have is a variety of man-made fibres. My local yarn stores tend to be all-natural. I am making a hat for a friend who is allergic to wool, so will go to Michael’s to get her yarn.

We don't have any LYS in my area at all, so I have to go to big box or order online. But sometimes it is helpful to go and see and feel the yarn in person and make sure it is the color that you really want since sometimes colors differ on the screen. The closest to me is Michaels and Jo-ann which are about 15 minutes away, but I really wish I had a Hobby Lobby close (its an hour away) because I love the yarn bee hand dyed yarn.

Hi Taylor.. Our big box shop is Hobby Craft in the Uk.. I have my favourite local knit retailers that I love to visit and mooch about but have also purchased off Etsy usually for my knit notions xx

No big box stores here in Yorkshire. Aldi supermarkets typically stock a small yarn selection. Some cotton and then mostly acrylic or high acrylic content yarn. What we *do* have is the Stylecraft mill in Slaithwaite, just a copule of miles from me. Every few months they open a huge warehouse room and wheel out great big bins of slight seconds at about a quid a ball. You pick up an Ikea sack at the door and just have at it. The fire in the eyes of all the fibre folks has to be seen to be believed. They also sell off their sample knits for £5 a pop. It’s heaven.

Hi Tayler. I live in Canada, small town of Picton, Ontario. We do have a Michaels about 45 min away, so a visit is dictated by when we have errands in Belleville. Other than that, the only other option is Walmart. Not a great selection here of either wool or synthetic yarns, so I don’t venture here. In Picton we do have a wool shop, Rosehaven Yarn Shop…and I also work there part time. We get a lot of walk in Business as we are also a tourist destination. The next closest yarn store is in Kingston…an hour away. Wish we had a Joanne’s, but that won’t be happening. Love your podcasts! You certainly keep me informed and entertained.

Not that I don't or haven't shopped at the "trio", the actual closest yarn shop to me is less than two miles away, offers lots of natural fiber yarn, tons of classes in knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, and more, and a "when the store is open, the table is open" environment to get help or just sit and chat with like-minded folks. I just finished a scarfy-shawl like thing that I did in all garter stitch with contrasting stripes on each end...in 100% Merino wool. It's 6 feet long (I'm 5'11" so I wanted it proportionate to me), and it's a complete luxury! I took a class in January to make a butterfly shawl that I'm still working on but it's now at the top of my WIPS, so I should finish it next. I just got done with a beginning spinning class which was fun...but I need to work more on getting my technique down...and next month on Spring Break, we are having a weaving bootcamp! Right after that, I'm taking a dive into "two-at-a-time-toe-up magic loop" socks which will be one of my summer projects for Christmas gifts. At any rate...it's totally fun for me...and I love the environment!

I'm in Canada, we have a Michaels and it looks exactly like yours, with the yarn in the back corner.

Hi, Hobby Lobby has I love this WOOL. 100% wool. Nice muted colors. I am making a shawl now with it. Nice yarn.

Hello Tayler. In Australia, we have 2 stores that would be like your 'big box' stores. (it looks like I am the second one to mention these!) These are Lincraft and Spotlight. They also have a craft, home decor and sewing theme primarily, but indeed there is plenty of wool, more to the acrylic type. Still, there are more than enough options to create natural fibre projects, particularly their Patons ranges.

It's eerie how exactly alike my Michael's and Hobby Lobby is to yours - and I am in NJ and you are across the country. I was in both this week, and I felt like you were looking over my shoulder at the exact same things I was looking at. USA is weird like that. That said, I am very lucky that every single town around me has excellent small yarn stores. I guess we like to knit in NJ. And we also have a Wool Walk coming up where you get a "passport" and have it stamped at all the yarn stores across the state. I have alpacas on a farm a few miles away too 🙂

I agree that our local LYS here in Vegas doesn't have the largest selection of yarns, but I have found some good stuff there. They have a good selection of needles! And they've been really lovely with spot help in my knitting journey (I'm only about 9 months in.) Luckily for me, its close to my office, so there are days I stop in after work and knit with the ladies there. Knitting with the community is so different from knitting alone. And many of them are hilarious! I just wish I was able to do it more often.

HB is doing their annual clearance early. That's why there were bald spots in the store. It's 80% off. I have two Hobby Lobby's, JoAnn and Michael's close to me. They are each quite different. The ones closest are the in a pinch stores and the ones a little further out are the 'sneak yarn into the house' stores. I like LYS and we have a fair amount close to us but they seem a little too bougie for me. I will buy yarn online before thinking about going to a local yarn shop.

Thank you for this video Tayler. It’s always nice to know what yarn options are available to crafters. So many freedoms to spend our dollar where we choose. What a country!!!

I must try those highlighters... Thanks for sharing. HB is my store to shop if I'm doing big box. I too purchased that project book ... Lovely little book.

Thank you for normalizing cheaper yarn options. We are trying to save money to buy a house and I just don't have the money to spend on expensive yarn right not but I don't want to not knit.

We have spotlight here in New Zealand which would be the closest to American big box craft stores. It is not far from my house 😂

I love Hobby Lobby, as does all my family. I have been to Joan’s once, but I don’t remember anything particular glorious about it. I have shopped at Michael’s as well and it was particularly disappointing. The selection of yarn and yarn related items was very small, but I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and say that maybe the store I went to was just tiny.

Hi, here in the UK the only comparison to the three stores you reviewed would probably be Hobbycraft. However this has more to offer for other crafts. I used to like to go to John Lewis for supplies, even though they mostly stocked Rowan. The consultants (belonging to Rowan) were excellent when there was a pattern reading or other project problem- cannot get that very easily these days.

Thank you for exploring these more affordable yarns . I would love to knit with your beautiful FFP yarn , but just can’t afford it. It is lovely for those who can. Thank you for being aware of all knitters budgets. Some channels seem like an expensive country club and impossible for most of us to join. My gramma crocheted a beautiful dress out of grocers string and traded it with the grocer for groceries, during the depression. I wish I had a pix of it.

Great video as usual. I appreciate how you include everyone in the knitting journey. I am disappointed at times with each of the stores mentioned, but that is life. I do support independent online dyers. Since we live in the same area I totally agree with you about our LYS. I haven't visited since before the pandemic. I never feel welcome there and selection is limited.

I love that you chat with us about these fun topics! I'll be going to joann's tomorrow hopefully to pick up some Paton's in spring colors for a vest I'm testing 😊. They have more colors than Michaels (and I don't go to hobby lobby.)

I live in Canada. Since the pandemic the supply chain has diminished even Clover notions available in Michaels. I have started ordering on line from really lovely yarn stores both in Ontario and Quebec. I much prefer to see and touch the yarn I plan to knit with, but you do what you have to do. I do frequent a wonderful yarn store but it is an hours drive from my home, not always convenient.

My local Michael’s no longer carries those free pattern pamphlets. It’s been several years come to think of it. I miss them.

Hello Hello Hello! I’m Judy from Pennsylvania . We use to have an A C Moore craft store about 15 minutes away, but they went out of business. I miss that store because they had a great selection of yarn, knitting tools and books. I like Joann’s, but that store is over an hour away. That being said, I either go to Hobby Lobby or order on line. For yarn of a higher quality, I scoot over to New Jersey to my favorite yarn shop called Winterberries. Love that place a lot.

There are the same 3 big box craft stores by me that were talked about. When I first started knitting went everything I got was from Michaels. JoAnn's knitting/crochet selection has improved since I began knitting. One thing I found is that not all Michaels stores are equal when it comes to the knitting/crochet sections and some have a much better selection than others. The longer I have been knitting the less I have been going to big box stores but when I do it is typically Michaels because they are the most convenient to me, but make sure it is one that I know has a decent yarn selection.

Hi, Tayler, I don't know if you'll see this. There are so many comments. I have had trouble here in AZ with the Michaels and Joann stores. They seemed to only carry acrylic and some cotton (the small balls people use to make dishcloths). So I primarily go to Hobby Lobby nowadays, as one of my LYSes closed during Covid and the other one near me is not very friendly feeling. Anyway, I wanted you to know that Hobby Lobby does have a pretty good knitting and crochet book section. It just is NOWHERE NEAR the yarn section. It is on the other side if the sewing/cloth section near the upholstery/window-dressing section against the opposite wall from the yarn side of the store. Crazy, I know. I was surprised when I first found them there. I found your channel a couple of months ago and have binged ALL of your videos before finally getting caught up to this most recent. I love this refreshing, helpful content you bring to us. Keep up the great work!! 💜

Thanks as always for the real real of knitting and crocheting. Not everyone has access to be able to shop at a particular store (or avoid a particular store). While I loved supporting independent makers of hand dyed yarns they’re getting way out of reach for many people (shipping costs have gone up dramatically too). Just a guess but I think more crafters will become even more budget aware as the cost of everything has increased so much.

I enjoyed your Big Box store survey. I was out yesterday with my daughter and saw the sales too. We got lucky because she was shopping with a project in mind and I found some Paton’s Kroy sock yarn. I was hoping to find some Fisherman’s Wool too, but the wool was pretty picked over. Our stores are very similar where I live, though my JoAnn is much smaller. Hobby Lobby really does have the best selection here, even with the majority being their brand. This is a great stop for me because my girls do a lot of other crafting. I agree that we should appreciate the wide variety of shopping options we have. It allows people to pursue the crafts they enjoy and to spend what money they have where they can or where they choose based on what is accessible or important to them.

Loved this episode!! Big boxes have their place in our crafting and I dye yarn, as well, so right there with ya. Don’t have a Hobby Lobby anywhere near me and would never go there because I don’t agree how they treat their female employees regarding reproductive issues. I have bought at both Michael’s and Jo Ann and have bought a bunch of Fisherman’s to dye up in custom colors. Both are great for notions and Paton’s Kroy, with Jo Ann edging out Michael’s. We have a pretty good selection of woolies all year because San Francisco summers are cold. Also: neither of these stores are in the city, they are located a few minutes south on the Penninsula in the town of Colma, takes about 15 minutes by car to get there. They definitely offer options!

Hobby Lobby has an I love this Wool that comes in 4-5 natural colors that is amazing. I used it to make a Sunday cardigan and it’s my most worn sweater.

I did want to mention that Joann’s K&C brand is branching into hand dyed yarn as well! Saw them on my last visit, but they may not be available at all of them. I know they are available for shipping for those that may want to try that if it’s not in their area! I’m hoping that they stay around and aren’t just testing or seasonal stock, but i’d look into them if it interests you. They stock a cotton line, a cotton-lurex blend, and a sock yarn in some fun punchy spring summer colors :)

The reason that you may have seen some cleaned out areas at Hobby Lobby is because they just had their yearly 75% off clearance sale, where they unload all styles and color ways that they’re discontinuing. Usually they have this sale in June, but they did it early this year. Rumor has it that they’re going to have an even smaller yarn section with this next store reset.

I only have two Hobby Lobby’s close to me (each around 36 miles away) and Walmart but their yarn selection is getting super small. I love Hobby Lobby’s cotton yarns and that’s pretty much all I buy from them and I like a lot of their decor. One day I went in super stressed out after being back home from radiation treatment because I was trying to find some floral pins for these lace angels I had made my surgeon and oncologist and really wanted to have them ready to take back down to the hospital the next week. Anyway as I said I was sooooo stressed because I wasn’t finding them anywhere in my small town and they had them. The checker must have felt my angst (or realized from my skin graft on my forehead and major redness from the radiation) that I wasn’t having the best time so she scanned a 40% off coupon for me. I didn’t realize it until I got in the car. I started crying of course. What a sweet thing to do. I love Hobby Lobby. ❤️

Hi Taylor. I really enjoyed this episode of the WDN podcast. My favorite Joanne's is about 20 mins away. They are pretty new and took over the space vacated by Babies R Us. It's actually the largest Joanne's on the east coast (or northeast?). First time I walked in felt like I was in HEAVEN!! Their yarn section is very well laid out and spacious. I cat-sat for a neighbor and in appreciation they gave me a Joanne's gift card (with a very large amount on it!). I will go to Michael's (10 mins away) if I need something and find it in stock when I look online. For years A.C. Moore was my go to for yarn and knitting/crocheting supplies. Michael's bought them in 2019 with the intention of moving into the space. Unfortunately the space remains vacant today (so very sad).

I don't have a Hobby Lobby near me but if there was, I wouldn't spend my dollars at a business that is not supportive of a women's right to autonomy over her own body, even to the point of being anti-contraception, and is anti-gay. I know many people just want to buy yarn and not think about the politics of that decision and that's fine, but for me a big no to Hobby Lobby!

Michaels used to be the perfect big box store for yarn. They met all of the criteria you mentioned at the beginning of the video. The size of the yarn section has been shrinking steadily over the last few years. There are almost no free patterns anymore and the book selection is much smaller. They have upped their game where notions are concerned, which is nice. It seems like your Michaels and the one near me are really different. That is interesting. Of the big box craft stores, JoAnn is my current favorite, but it used to be Michaels. I’m lucky enough to be within 1 1/2 hours from Webs. I make a pilgrimage at least twice a year. We also have several fiber festivals in New England, which is a great source for a wide range of yarn and other knitting supplies. I can always find something affordable at Webs and similarly at the fiber festivals.

I recently saw that Joann's had superwash sock yarn as well. I don't remember the brand name. I've made a conscious choice not to shop at Hobby Lobby for political reasons. I realize that's not an issue for many people, but it is one that I consider.

Thank you for your video! In general, I support small businesses when I can. But in general, when it comes to my hobbies (knitting and quilting), I tend to shop at the big box stores first. I simply cannot afford a $20+ hank of yarn, no matter how much I would love to -- it is just financially unjustifiable for me to do so. Thus, the big box stores are the best option for me. I shop both Michaels and JoAnn depending on whatever coupons I have at the time. Thank you again for your videos -- because of you I went to JoAnn's yesterday and got a few cakes of Lions Brand Mandala to make the Sundance Throw.

I love your RU-vid channel. You are very informative! Thank you! I would love to shop local but the best one we has in Houston TX closed several years ago! 4th largest city in the US (possible now 3rd with all the people moving here) and no awesome yarn store! There is one in Friendswood but that is a bit of a hike but it is worth it. I try to do local but sometimes you have to do big box. Thank you for you comments and suggestions! 🎉🎉🎉

Thank you so much for this perspective on big box stores :) Its so rare to hear a yarn dyer that isn't saying how evil thr big box stores are, but the reality is they are all most of us have available. I dont like big corporations either, but I also can't afford to buy "good" yarn all the time. So thank you for this very un-snooty view :) its very appreciated

No Joann’s near me. There is a Michael’s and HL. I shop these stores but only on a limited basis. There is a great yarn store in my town and I try to spend my knitting money there.

Hello - my name is Barb. I live up in Alberta, Canada and really enjoyed your latest video on big box craft stores. We only have Micheals up here and their yarn selection kind of sucks. I love ordering yarn from Knitpicks and have had wonderful luck with their yarn ( but it can get expensive by the time we do the dollar conversion and pay shipping). I appreciated your comment on shopping local. That being said, yesterday I shopped at a beautiful local store in the town of Okotoks and purchased 3 skeins of beautiful hand died sock yarns, 2 of which are made in Canada. Woo hoo. Just started watching your podcasts 1 week ago and you are such an inspiration. Keep up the good work;)

Love this video. I have all three very close to me, as well as some great LYS. I usually head to Joann’s if I’m looking for notions….. and the LB fisherman’s wool.

I used to live in LA and was used to that southern California access to everything on the earth in minutes. I now live in a very rural area on the east coast in the mountains. I have to drive 2 hours one direction for my nearest Michaels and 2 hours the opposite direction for my nearest Hobby Lobby and Joanns. I recently found a tiny LYS 2 hours away that I try to support as much as possible when I'm out that way. But because this is a rural place even my big box stores have a very limited selection, but it's still super helpful. I really don't order much because even shipping is slow here and takes at least a week longer than the average because it's hard to get to where I live. I basically live survivalist style where I even have to make sure I have enough food for a week or longer when I go grocery shopping because the market is 45 minutes away. Anyway, thank you for this content, it makes people like me feel less judged when I have such few options.

I live within 4 Michael’s - all carry various amounts of yarn. Joann’s near me is moving to a larger storefront, but I do know that Joann’s in other states have more yarn-related products than my nearby store. Hobby Lobby is close and I will go for cotton there. No nearby dedicated yarn store for me so online is the only choice for wooly choices.

Thank you for your big box overview of available yarn selections. I began knitting during the pandemic and was left with no other choice than to order online, starting with inexpensive materials in the event that knitting wasn’t going to be for me. I am happy to say that knitting is my new passion and I have broadened my yarn palette to include wool and other natural fibers. My only regret is that even though I am retired, will I live long enough to knit blankets for all my children/grandchildren? I totally enjoy your podcast and your delivery style, a true pleasure to “know” you.😊

I have to drive 100 to 200 miles for a big box store other than walmart. Hobby Lobby has been my go to store for years. And my purchases have never complained about coming home with me.

I live in Northern California…and fortunate to have 3 lys and the big box stores. I learned to knit and learned to crochet at 2 of the lys spots.❤

For three years we lived in the England (in Beijing currently), and there I went to Hobby Craft. It is much like Micheal’s. I would say there is a bit more selection of yarn though and at reasonable prices. I liked to get yarn there to crochet themed hats for kid’s costumes.

Love shopping with you!!❤

I always go to Michaels because they have a good selection of yarn, and it's cheap. But Hobby lobby is so much more expensive and less yardage, but they have some types of yarn that others don't like you mentioned in the video. I only go there if there is a sale lol. I got 6 balls of bernat yarn for 3 dollars each and that was awesome. Joann is cool too but don't go there that often even though they also have a good selection and have sales.

Hobby Lobby is the only big-box craft store in my town but I am lucky to have several LYS's within 30-60 minute drive. The rumor on Hobby Lobby is that they're totally redoing their yarn department. It's going to be smaller, they'll only be carrying HL brands and the hand dyed wool yarn is being discontinued. It looks like you went after the BIG 75% off clearance sale which is why the shelves are so empty.... I behaved myself and only bought 70 skeins/hanks this year, all made with natural fiber.

I have a couple of those "rovings" (they're combed top really but it's just stuff to take apart for fiber) from Hobby Lobby to use in my spinning as bases for rolags. I'll mix fiber taken from scrap yarn or fluff with the roving between layers on a homemade blending board to make rolags to spin. Or I'll split the bright stripey one into colors for gradient rolags. I do recommend it as a quick jumping off point.

I bought the exact same Caron cake from Michaels and this yarn is great for baby blankets or for lap blankets for senior homes. I knit a lot for charity and I love knitting with this yarn to make the blankets. I’ve bought a lot of this yarn. I’ve also bought the swift from Michaels and it is great quality and works perfectly.

Hi Tayler- I love this video. I have the three big box stores you mentioned near me too. There is a newer local yarn store that recently opened near me, but the selection was limited. For me, I have bought yarn online (from you too) but I really love to touch and see the yarn and make sure the color and feel is what I want. I sometimes just go to the big box stores and see what they have and the trends. Lion Brand yarns are some of my favorite, so I often purchase at Joann’s or Michaels. Thanks for keeping your show so real. 💕