Buy Yarn Online for Crocheting and Knitting

I have always been an avid online shopper (probably too much sometimes, ha!) and for those of you wondering where to buy yarn online - I want to make a resource for getting your yarn brought to you! Of course I don’t know everything, so if I missed any of YOUR favorite ways to shop for yarn online please let me know.

Where to Buy Yarn Online

I want to note ahead of time that I have used all of these methods to shop for yarn online unless otherwise indicated. My personal favorites for shopping online are Amazon (because fast and free shipping), Michaels Buy Online Pick Up in Store (because you can snag some really great deals) and Lion Brand Yarn (because I love their yarn, and they seem to run a really awesome sale almost monthly). But don’t let me make up your mind yet - browse through your options to see which way you want to get your yarn online! Please note that I am based in the U.S. and so these recommendations are primarily geared toward U.S. shoppers.

Shopping for Yarn on Amazon

Let’s start with the most obvious (though maybe not actually the best) option for finding yarn online.

Pros of Shopping for Yarn on Amazon:

a large variety of types/yarns are available
shipping is quick if you have Prime (if you don’t you can get a free trial here)
sometimes you can find discontinued colors
the prices can be great

Cons of Shopping for Yarn on Amazon:

prices can vary greatly, even just by color
if you don’t have a Prime membership, you will have to pay for shipping or place a large order
no guarantee of matching dye lots in many cases
sometimes the yarn is overpriced

Overall

If I am looking for a specific yarn, I usually always check Amazon to see if they have it at a low price. I do have a Prime membership so I appreciate the free shipping! I don’t always end up buying from Amazon, but when I find a good deal - free shipping makes it a no brainer.

Shop for Yarn on Amazon Here

Shopping for Yarn on Michaels.com

There are two ways to shop for yarn online from Michaels. You can order the yarn online and have it shipped OR you can order it online and pick it up in the store. Here are the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Pros of Shopping for Yarn Delivered from Michaels:

They have a decent selection of yarn to choose from on their website, including exclusive Loops and Threads yarns that aren’t in store sometimes.
Sometimes they offer special promotions for free or reduced cost delivery
You can still shop the sale prices that are offered in store
You can use more than one promo code
You can often get a small amount of your purchase back by shopping through Rakuten

Cons of Shopping for Yarn Delivered from Michaels:

Shipping can be expensive. You may need to make a rather large minimum purchase for free shipping
Shipping can be slow.
Certain yarn you are required to order in “packs” so if you just need one skein of a color - this may not be the best option for you.
Dye lots are not guaranteed
I’ve personally had a bit of trouble with returns from online orders.

Pros of Shopping Michaels In Store Pick Up:

You can usually get the same online discounts as you could with a delivery order.
Sometimes they have exclusive “Buy Online Pick Up in Store” coupons
You can get your yarn the same day you order it
You can use more than one promo code
You can often get a small amount of your purchase back by shopping through Rakuten

Cons of Shopping Michaels In Store Pick Up:

Your order is held for 5 days. If you don’t pick up your order within that timeframe they will put the products back and refund your payment method.
Dye lots may not match.
Fewer yarn options because certain yarn is not sold in store

Shop for Yarn at Michaels Here

Shopping for Yarn on Joann.com

Like Michaels, Joann offers both delivery and in-store pickup when shopping online. There are some differences between the two though!

Pros of Shopping for Yarn Delivered from Joann:

They have a decent selection of yarn to choose from on their website
Sometimes they sell certain lines of Lion Brand Yarn before you can even purchase it from Lion Brand
You can purchase single skeins of yarn (unlike Michaels)
Sometimes they offer special promotions for free or reduced cost delivery

Cons of Shopping for Yarn Delivered from Joann:

Shipping can be expensive. You may need to make a rather large minimum purchase for free shipping
Shipping can be slow.
Sometimes the sale prices online do not match the same sale prices in store
Dye lots are not guaranteed
Only one coupon code can be applied to your order

Pros of Shopping Joann in Store Pick Up:

You can usually get the same online discounts as you could with a delivery order.
You can get your yarn the same day you order it

Cons of Shopping Joann in Store Pick Up:

Dye lots may not match.
Fewer yarn options because certain yarn is not sold in store
Only one coupon code can be applied to your order

Shop for Yarn at Joann Here

Shopping for Yarn on Lion Brand’s Website

Pros of Shopping for Yarn on Lionbrand.com:

they have a really large selection of yarn to choose from and some of my favorite specialty yarns! (Hello, Scarfie yarn)
about once a month or so they have a 30-45% off coupon code for all of their yarn
they sell kits that include a pattern and the yarn you will need to make it
Randomly, they will have CRAZY good deals like 10 for $10 sales, or $1/skein sales
Customer service is very helpful

Cons of Shopping for Yarn on Lionbrand.com:

I have never seen them offer free shipping
Shipping isn’t particularly fast
Sometimes Joann gets new Lion Brand yarns before the Lion Brand website does?
Only Lion Brand yarn can be purchased

Shop for Lion Brand Yarn Here

Shopping for Yarn Online at Walmart (Drive-up Order Pick-Up)

Did you know that when you are picking up your groceries at Walmart via their drive up service that you can add yarn to your order as well?! It’s true!

Pros of Shopping for Yarn via Walmart Pick-Up

The prices seem to be the same as in-store prices
The yarn is brought directly out to your car - no need to shop in the store
You can pick up yarn while you are also picking up groceries
Sometimes iBotta has cash back deals for Walmart Pick-up

Cons of Shopping for Yarn via Walmart Pick-Up

yarn selection may be more limited than what you could find in store
you have to place a minimum order of $35 for pick-up (groceries/yarn combined)
dye lots are not guaranteed

Order Yarn for Walmart Pickup Here

Shopping for Yarn Online at Knit Picks/WeCrochet

Pros of Shopping for Yarn on Knit Picks/WeCrochet:

You can find exclusive yarn lines for a good price
You can get free shipping if you reach the $65 order threshold
They offer a really nice variety of both budget and luxury yarns

Cons of Shopping for Yarn on Knit Picks/WeCrochet:

The free shipping threshold is pretty high
You can’t order “name brand” yarn (e.g. Lion Brand, Red Heart, Yarnspirations)
There probably aren’t as many patterns written for these yarns specifically (but you can always substitute!)

Shop for Yarn on WeCrochet Here

More Places to Buy Yarn Online

Etsy and Indie Dyers

I have already posted about some of my favorite yarn dyers here and now would be a fabulous time to support their work!

Yarnspirations

Snag your favorite Yarnspirations, Caron, Bernat and Red Heart yarn here!

Walmart Delivery

You can purchase yarn online and have it delivered from Walmart if you would prefer not to do a store pick-up

We Are Knitters

Not just yarn for knitters. It works beautifully for crochet projects, too!

LoveCrafts

I love Paintbox Yarn acrylic! So soft and they have a great color selection

Ice Yarn

This yarn is well priced but shipping is high because it comes internationally. International shipping may not be advisable or practical at this time.

Darn Good Yarn

I haven’t tried much of their yarn, but if you are looking for something truly unique - they’ve got it!

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