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.

Yarn

1. What it is made of

Wool:
natural fiber
warm
elastic
could be soft or scratchy, depending on how it is made
expensive
shetland, mohair and angora are all wool yarns
washing instructions: wash by hand in cold water with mild detergent (Woolite). Rinse and gently squeeze out excess water. Roll in towel. Spread flat on thick towel and move into desired shape. Dry away from direct heat or sunlight. Some wool yarn has been especially treated so it can be washed and dried by machine. If so, turn garment inside out and put in a zippered laundry bag before washing.

Synthetic:
man-made fiber (acrylics, polyester)
not so warm
could be soft or scratchy, depending on the material
less expensive
washing instructions: many can be machine washed and dried. Others are more delicate. Read the label.

Cotton and silk:
natural fiber
cotton is relatively inexpensive; silk is more expensive
cool
not very elastic
strong, not particularly soft
often mixed with a synthetic yarn (to make it more elastic and softer)
washing instructions: same as for wool. Most can be machine washed and dried, but check the label.


2. How fat or thin it is

Bulky: heavy sweaters and afghans (small blankets)
Worsted: sweaters, afghans, hats, toys B a very popular weight
Double knitting (DK): sweaters and afghans, hats, mittens
Sport: lightweight sweaters, baby blankets & clothes, socks, mittens
Fingering: baby things
Lace: fragile scarfs


3. What color it is

Most yarn is dyed in large batches. Each batch is called a Adye lot@ and is assigned a number that is listed on the yarn label. The color of the yarn may be a little different in a different dye lot. This is especially true of wool, silk and cotton yarns.

Some yarn sold in large chain stores is made of synthetic fibers that are color controlled so the dye lot is not so important.