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Local Yarn Stores

Posted by chrish and updated as of Saturday July 19th 2008

Here is a list of local yarn stores. Initially, this is just a list of names, addresses and contacts with a brief description. Because I’m a machine knitter as well as a handknitter, I’ve included some sources of coned knitting yarns as well as the hand knitting stores. It’s a work in progress, so please let us know if you spot an error or omission! If you would like to write a review of one of these stores, please do so! We will link from this basic list to individual reviews as they are submitted.

Several local yarns stores (LYS) offer a 10% discount on regular-priced yarn to WCKG members. A list of guild-friendly shops is listed at the bottom of the post. Please check them out and remember to bring your WCKG membership card!

Visit our Resources page for additional LYS links.

Vancouver

  1. A Touch of Wool · Dunbar · 4273 Dunbar St, Vancouver V6S 2G1. 604 224-9276; Yarn, book rack, notions, range of yarns. DISCOUNT
  2. Birkeland Brothers · 3573 Main St, Vancouver. 604-874-4734; Originally a wool carding shop (the big industrial carder is still in the back room), Birkeland Brothers now stocks yarns for knitting, and knitting supplies, as well as spinning and felting supplies. Good source of feltable yarns, cone yarns and fleece, as well as interesting modern yarns. DISCOUNT
  3. Homecraft Importers · Kitsilano · 2348 West 4th Street, Vancouver. 604 738-2614; Homecraft used to be stuffed with more yarns than you could imagine, with an impressive archival stock. It was a good place to go to find a yarn you bought for that project 5 years ago, and maybe they would have another ball … a few years ago it changed hands, and I haven’t been back, but I understand that they still sell yarns, but that the stock has changed somewhat. Need newer information! DISCOUNT
  4. The Silk Tree. · Granville Island · #15-1551 Johnston Street, Vancouver V6H 3R9. 604 687-SILK (7455); Mainly a weaving studio, but they carry a wide variety of silk and silk-blend yarns on cones, generally in white, off-white, or black. They also have some skeins of dyed yarns. Yarns are suitable for fairly fine knitting, or machine knitting.
  5. Three Bags Full · 4458 Main Street, Vancouver V5V 3R3. 604-874-wool (9665); Newly opened in 2006, Three Bags Full stocks a wide range of colours in a few quality yarns. Good bookshelf, yummy selection of Koigu. Comfy knitting sofa in the back. Review. DISCOUNT
  6. Urban Yarns · UBC/Point Grey · 4421 W. 10th Ave, Vancouver V6R4R8. 604-228-1122; I haven’t been there for a while, but my first impressions were that they had a smaller amount of stock, but that the store was laid out well for people to bring their knitting and work on it (and get some help, encouragement or company). DISCOUNT

North Shore (West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Deep Cove)

  1. Room6 · Deep Cove · 4389 Gallant Avenue, North Vancouver V7G 1L1. 604 628-8484. Check the web page for details. DISCOUNT

New Westminster

  1. Shan’s Needlework · 31 8th Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3L 1X6. 604-526-2637

Richmond

  1. Wool ‘n Wicker · Steveston · 120 - 12051 2nd Ave., Richmond V7E-3L6. 604 275-1239; When I was there last the yarns were attractively arranged by colour and the store was filled with yummy textures and interesting yarns. Steveston is a pretty village to visit, and Wool ‘n Wicker is on a side street off the main road in Steveston. They provide various classes, including the Nihon Vogue knitting courses. DISCOUNT

Surrey/Whiterock

  1. Wineberry Fabrics · Sullivan Station · Unit 205, 6355 - 152nd Street, Surrey V3S 3K8. 604 597-7934, Toll Free Order #: 800-803-8991; They are primarily a quilt shop with a recently added yarn section. They started teaching knitting and were overwhelmed by the success of the classes, which has surpassed their quilt classes. They have their own discount system - a Key Tag - which is available to all customers (contributed by Holli).
  2. Penelope Fibre Arts · 16055 8th Avenue, Surrey, BC · 778-292-1282 (open by appointment, please call first); Located in the South Surrey/White Rock area, Penelope Fibre Arts is a home based store focusing primarily on spinning and weaving supplies and has many yarns in stock suitable for knitting (contributed by LYSO).

    3. Fraser Valley (Langley and places east) (less complete)

  1. Knitopia · Langley City · 5498 Salt Lane, Langley, BC. 604-530-4881; New location (formerly White Rock) as of Sept 2007. Lots of eye-candy here, interesting bookshelf, and I think I spotted some spinning-related equipment. DISCOUNT
  2. Knit Café · Langley DISCOUNT
  3. Mayhew’s Knitting· Langley· 2648 Wildwood Drive, Langley (Call first - home-based business). 604 530-3086; Colleen Mayhew is a knitting machine dealer, particularly for Studio/Silver-Reed/Singer machines. She also stocks coned yarns, and has patterns and accessories for machine knitters. When last I checked, she also held a monthly meeting for machine knitters.

Chain and Craft Stores

Sometimes you just want some basic, synthetic, indestructible yarn. Here are some of the local chain and craft stores that carry yarn and knitting supplies.

  1. Michael’s Various Locations in the Lower Mainland. Michael’s is a large crafts chain.
  2. Zeller’s
  3. Wal-Mart
  4. Value Village, and other thrift stores. Of course, you can’t count on anything when you go to a thrift store, but sometimes you can find a yarn or pattern you want, and usually Value Village has a stock of needles. If you’re needle hunting, bring a needle gauge!

Guild Friendly Yarn Shops

  1. Homecraft Importers · 2348 West 4th Street, Vancouver. Tel: (604) 738-2614
  2. Urban Yarns · 4421 W. 10th Ave, Vancouver. Tel: (604) 228-1122
  3. Three Bags Full · 4458 Main Street, Vancouver. Tel: (604) 874-WOOL (9665)
  4. A Touch of Wool · 4273 Dunbar St, Vancouver. Tel: (604) 224-9276
  5. Knitopia · 1446 Johnston Road, White Rock (formally Surrey). Tel: (604) 531-4818
  6. Birkeland Brothers · 3573 Main St, Vancouver. Tel: (604) 874-4734
  7. Room6 · 4389 Gallant Avenue, North Vancouver. Tel: (604) 628-8484
  8. Knit Café · Langley
  9. Knitting Zen · Medeira Park, BC
  10. The Loom · Box 4, 4705 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan, BC. Phone:Toll Free 1-877-746-5250, or (250) 746-5250
  11. Wool 'n Wicker · 120 - 12051 2nd Ave. , Steveston (formally Richmond). Tel: (604) 275-1239

17 Responses to “Local Yarn Stores”

  1. on 05 Nov 2006 at 6:03 pm   West Coast Knitters Guild » Blog Archive » On-Line and Mail Order Yarn Stores

    […] This is an extension of the list of local yarn stores for on-line and mail order yarn stores, preferably local. […]

  2. on 04 Mar 2007 at 7:45 pm   Kim Orlando

    Great resource. I visit Vancouver, my home town a couple of times a year. Thanks!!

  3. on 06 May 2007 at 9:31 am   Michelle Katerberg

    Holli wrote a review of Three Bags Full on her blog.

  4. on 12 Jul 2007 at 8:10 pm   paulettel

    Burnaby Knitworks is moving on July 20, 2007 and will open on July 23 in the new location, 5350 Imperial Street, Burnaby, V5J 1E6 (above S & N Lighting at the second door). Their website will have directions, www.burnabyknitworks.com

  5. on 12 Jul 2007 at 8:11 pm   paulettel

    Sadly, Well-Spun Yarns in Ladner is closed.

  6. on 03 Aug 2007 at 8:52 am   Judy Helme

    Just want to let you know that Village Crafts in Coquitlam closed in the Spring this year.

  7. on 10 Aug 2007 at 12:09 am   Lavender

    That was too bad about Village Crafts in Coquitlam. The good news is that there’s Shan’s Needleworks in New Westminster has opened up. Very nice and friendly people there.

  8. on 11 Aug 2007 at 1:32 am   kyndra

    where is shan’s needleworks? does is have a good selection of yarn? what are prices like?

  9. on 17 Aug 2007 at 9:22 am   Linda

    Knitopia has moved to Langley on Salt Lane sorry I don’t have the specific address.

  10. on 12 Sep 2007 at 11:37 am   Chris Hitchcock

    I just visited Burnaby Knitworks in Burnaby (1 block east of Royal Oak, on Imperial, just west of Imperial & Kingsway), and Freda is also planning to close up at the end of October.

    I asked her about her plans, and she said that she had been thinking about selling the business, if someone is interested. A new person would need to find a new location, but for someone who has been thinking about starting a new knit store, this would be an excellent opportunity, with the existing name, customer list, connections with suppliers, and stock and fixtures.

    I’m sad to hear that so many stores are closing their doors, so I wanted to let people know of the opportunity. Anyone who is interested should contact Freda at Burnaby Knitworks for more information.

  11. on 21 Dec 2007 at 11:47 am   Maureen

    could you update Knitopia wool shops information. they are no longer in White Rock. Now they are in Langley at 5498 Salt Lane - 604-530-4884

    they are worth it

  12. on 07 Feb 2008 at 9:04 am   Sue

    Please update…
    Knit Cafe is not in business anymore.

    In May 0f 2007, 88 Stitches Yarn & Gift Shop
    opened up in the same location.
    #602-21183-88th Avenue
    Langley, BC
    (located off of 88th Avenue & 212 Street in Walnut Grove)
    604-888-6689
    www.88stitches.com
    We are also a Guild friendly shop and offer
    a discount to members.

  13. on 21 Feb 2008 at 3:38 pm   Gaile

    There’s a yarn shop in Maple Ridge, totally staffed by volunteers and run by a non-profit group (the profits go to the Salvation Army). They carry some nice yarns (Nashua, Noro, Lopi, Kertzer, Sirdar) and Addi needles, including Addi Lace and Addi Natura Bamboo). They are located in the same building as the Salvation Army’s Caring Place, but at the opposite end of the building.

    ONCE UPON A SHEEP
    22188 Lougheed Hwy, (222nd & Lougheed), Maple Ridge, BC
    (located at the East entrance of The Caring Place under the blue awning)
    Store Hours: Tues - Sat from 10am to 4pm
    CLOSED Sunday & Monday.

  14. on 21 Mar 2008 at 9:41 am   Carolyn

    I want to open a yarn/knitting/needlework/bead store in Nanaimo. Any coments or suggestions? My daughter won a provincial award for her bead work and I am a master knitter. I’d like to see something appealing to people who can’t spend 100s of dollars on one project. Foe those who enjoy and want to learn to knit. The zen of knitting?

  15. on 21 Mar 2008 at 9:44 am   Carolyn

    Please, I’d like some comments or input.
    knittbizzz@hotmail.com

  16. on 19 May 2008 at 9:34 pm   Heather

    Would anyone know where to purchase the yarn used in Cowichan style sweaters?

    Awaiting any inroads on this….

    Thanks,

    Heather

  17. on 23 May 2008 at 4:49 pm   Dhorea Kencayd

    Hello, we have opened @ West 57th & Cambie in Vancouver, a store that carries yarns, Kertzer, Coolspun, and others.
    We invite all to come and see all the creative supplies and great prices ranging from yarns, 100% cotton fabrics, notions, painting and drawing supplies, natural wool roving…
    Please check us out!

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