When preparing to move to a new country, I knew I would have to find all new places to buy my yarn and knitting and crochet accessories. I took to google to out to find where I could buy yarn after moving abroad and found many others looking for the same thing.
While there are many yarn sites that ship abroad in some capacity, It was tough to find exactly what I was looking for; somewhere with a wide selection of yarns and accessories, with low price international shipping options. It’s been a long process but I’m finally in a place where I’m happy with both the selection I have access to and the prices I’m paying. With the 5 sites I have listed below, hopefully your online yarn shopping experience will also improve while living or traveling abroad.
1. Wool Warehouse
Based in the UK and shipping almost everywhere, Wool Warehouse has all of the brands US and UK knitters know and love. You can shop in several currencies, helping avoid extra fees for shopping while abroad. They also have great, free patterns and loads of accessories.
2. Ice yarn
Based in Turkey and shipping anywhere via UPS, DHL or regular mail. Ice Yarn is a unique yarn shopping experience. Most of their yarns are sold only in bulk packs of 4 or more skeins. They sell only their own brands of yarns but I’ve found several great “dupes” for yarns from the other major US brands (Alpine super bulky = wool ease thick and quick, for example).
Their yarn selection is changing all the time and they usually do limited runs on specific yarns so be sure to get enough for your project.
The shipping is pretty pricey usually but their yarns are at such cheap prices, it still works out to be great deals on great yarns.
3. Wool And The Gang
Based in the UK and shipping almost everywhere, Wool and the Gang has their own line of unique yarns and a crazy wide range of new patterns and kits. The social media movement behind Wool and the Gang is on a ‘nother level so swapping hashtagged pics of your yarn hauls and current works in progress with your fellow maker friends is a great way to stay connected while abroad.
Their yarns and kits can get pricey but they routinely have sales and free international shipping offers as well as some yarn bundles for discounts if you buy several balls. They’re also just a great resource for tutorials and loads of knitspiration.
4. Hobium
Based in Turkey with loads of great yarns, hooks, needles. They have a modest selection of their own brands of yarn with prices ranging from the low to mid range. This company seems to be adding new yarns all the time and recently released a line of merino roving you can use to make those trendy “extreme knitting” blankets. The real winner with Hobium is their great selection of high quality hooks and needles from brands like Addi and Knitters Pride and free express international shipping on orders over $100 via DHL to anywhere you may find yourself in the world.
5. LoveCrafts (Love Knitting/Love Crochet)
UK based company that also has warehouses in the US. They are very similar to Wool Warehouse in that they ship almost everywhere and have an amazing selection of UK and US yarn brands as well as a few others. They also have exclusive brands such as their “Paintbox” line of colorful, high quality acrylics.
Love Knitting frequently has great sales and coupon codes. They ship your orders to you carefully packed in cute organza bags. They also have accessories and great free and paid patterns. Really a fantastic one-stop-shop while your at home or abroad.