Where To Buy Knitting Supplies

We're updating our list of local shops where you can buy yarn, needles and other supplies, since the old one was created over two years ago.  We'll start with stores where you can get affordable, but adequate, supplies and move from there to local yarn shops where you can purchase almost anything, including high-quality, hand-spun and hand-dyed fibers.

Servicible and Medium quality yarns

Manny’s (Main Street, New Paltz). Small selection.

Michaels (Kingston or Poughkeepsie).  Inexpensive-to-medium quality yarns for general use.
       Poughkeepsie: Route 9, near Barnes & Noble
       Kingston: Route 9W, near Hudson Valley Mall

Jo-Anns (Kingston or Poughkeepsie). Inexpensive-to-medium quality yarns for general use.
       Poughkeepsie: Plaza Mall, Route 9
       Kingston: Route 9W, near Staples

Matlyn's Dream (Water Street Market, New Paltz).  Not really a yarn shop, but has a small selection of interesting yarns, plus many of the standards. Worth a look.

Ben Franklin (Uptown Kingston Mall, near Hannafords). A general crafts store with a surprisingly good selection of all qualities of yarn.


Better quality yarn. Look for stores in your community

White Barn Sheep and Wool (815 Albany Post Road in New Paltz).  A specatular new addition to the New Paltz Community, Paula Kudera provides a warm and welcoming shop in a converted barn with an ample selection of all types of yarn and a full range of supplies for every stage of your knitting. You will also find classes, knitting groups and handmade items there.  For hours, directions and more information, see White Barn Sheep and Wool.  (Gives 10% discount to current Knit With Judy students)

Out of the Loop (2593 Route 52, just off Taconic in Hopewell Junction). Very large selection, helpful, all price ranges.  For hours and directions, see Out of the Loop.

Rainbow Sheep Shoppe (Off Route 9W, near Boces, in Pt. Ewen).  For hours and directions, see Rainbow Sheep Shoppe.

The Knitting Garage.  (A.L. Stickles Variety Store, 13 East Market Street in Rhinebeck).  Walk through the store to the back, where you'll find a small, friendly sitting place with a decent variety of nicer yarns.  Call for hours and directions:  845-876-3206.

Cornwall Knit Shop (227 Main Street in Cornwall).  For hours and directions, see Cornwall Yarn Shop.

Country Wool (59 Spring Road in Hudson).  Also has classes and retreats.  For hours and directions, see Countrywool.

The Yarn Source (Monroe).  Call for hours and directions: brachayarn@gmail.com or 845-238-6528.

Yarn Shop and Knitting Cafe at White Barn Sheep & Wool

We have a new yarn shop in our midst.  It's the White Barn Sheep and Wool Farm in Gardiner.  Stop by some time.  Paula raises her own Cormos, and she has beautiful yarns, both local and commercial, as well as needles and roving.  She also offers some classes.

Or stop in for some social knitting on Wednesday evenings (7:00 to 9:00) and Thursday mornings (9:00 to 11:00). You can get directions and more information here: http://www.whitebarnsheepandwool.com/.

If you're a current knitwithjudy student, let Paula know, and she'll give you a 10% discount on merchandise.

Needles

1. What they are made of

Metal: makes clicking sound, but stitches slide easily and work is faster

Plastic: quieter and easier for a beginner

Wood: Feel good, but hard to maintain


2. What shape they have

Straight, with single point: most common. Can be short or long

Straight, with double points: used mostly for socks, mittens and gloves

Circular: really two needles connected by a cord. Used for sweaters with no seams and for large projects. Becoming more popular because they take up less room


3. What size they are

Both crochet and knitting needles come in a broad range of sizes. Most instructions give a recommended needle size, along with a recommended yarn. As a general rule, fatter needles are used for thicker yarn, and longer needles are used for larger projects.


4. Type of needle

Crochet hooks:
Usually come in plastic or aluminum
The size in indicated by numbers 3 to 11 or letters C to K
The higher the number, or letter, the larger the hook

Knitting needles:
Length
Single-point needles usually come in 10" or 14" lengths
Double-point needles come in 7" and 10" lengths
Circular needles come in 16", 24", 29", and 36" lengths
Diameter around
Needles range from extremely thin #00 to very fat #15. Even larger sizes may be available.