Home » Hook » Yarn Industry Changes + What This Means for Fiber Artists

Yarn Industry Changes + What This Means for Fiber Artists

ByAshlea

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase. See our disclosure policy for more information.

There’s no way around it. The yarn world is changing, and rapidly. You may have heard the news that JOANN is officially closing all of their stores. Every single one of them. They were sold to a private firm that plans to liquidate all assets, meaning that they will sell anything and everything they can to recoup their investment in the failing company. What does that mean for us? Read on, friend!

Yarn Industry Updates

There’s nothing I like more than a yarn date with my bestie. I love to walk down the aisle (the yarn aisle that is… 😜) to see and to touch the yarn. To feel it running through my fingers, and see if I even want to take it home with me. Some of the yarns are new, and some are old favorites that we end up reaching for over and over again.

Some brands are coming out with jumbo sized skeins, and some are trying things that, well, they really maybe shouldn’t. 🙈 It’s hard to know which yarns you’ll enjoy working with and which will turn out beautifully in projects, if you are unable to touch it and feel it before you buy it. And it’s not just yarn! Think of all of the fabric, notions, buttons, pillow forms, fabric remnants, painting supplies, and so much more that we will not have the quick and easy access to.

Whyyyyyyyyyyy do you do us like this, JOANN? 😭 No bones about it friends, the yarn industry is changing. May she rest in peace.

So what does this mean for the crochet world? Sadly, it means that many (if not most) of us in the USA will no longer have access to physically touch new yarns and fibers before we purchase them. It means that if you do not have a Michaels (and let’s face it, their selection isn’t what it used to be) or a Hobby Lobby (where many crafters refuse to shop for various reasons, which is beside the point of this article), or one of the Walmarts with a great craft selection, you’ll be forced to get your yarn from a LYS (Local Yarn Shop) if you can find one… or purchase it online. Sadly, many LYS are closing up shop as well.

With many brick and mortar stores closing or vastly reducing their yarn selection, fiber artists including crocheters, knitters, weavers, felters, tatters, embroiders, and more, are sure to get the short end of the proverbial stick. Being able to touch the product… feel the fiber, the texture, and especially the thickness of the yarn, is essential to crafters worldwide. Buying online can feel like a crapshoot, and in some cases, it certainly is.

Let’s pause for a moment of silence before we continue on.

The bottom line? It means that we are going to have to lean on each other in the fiber arts community for support, opinions, suggestions, and alternatives to our favorite in-store yarns.

I know that I am going to particularly miss Big Twist yarn, the in-house yarn line from Joann. They had a multitude of fiber options, yarn weights, and some truly great alternatives to some pricier products offered by other brands. I have used Big Twist for many different projects through the years and I do hope that some other yarn manufacturer can scoop them up and find a way to still make that yarn available for purchase.

So what are we going to do about it? We are going to have to be diligent and rely on each other for honest opinions and reviews. Here at Heart Hook Home I will continue to do my best to sample new yarns and thoroughly review them before I post so that when I suggest a specific yarn, you know and trust that the yarn is quality and sufficient for the project for which it is intended.

We must stick together for honest feedback on yarns, fibers, online retailers, and more. Be sure you’re in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community with nearly 70,000 other yarn enthusiasts. This is a great place to share our experiences with different yarns, share photos, and get advice from other crafters.

How can this be a good thing? Now instead of physically going into the craft store we can shop online and choose from among ALL available yarns. We are not limited to only what that particular brick and mortar store has in stock at the moment.

Wanna save this for later?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it when you're ready.

We also get to try new things! Maybe there’s a yarn line that you haven’t discovered yet, that you end up loving and turning to over and over again.

We get to use ALL of the coupons for free shipping, reduced shipping, promo codes, and more, that are available at any given time online. Many times the deals we find online are better than the deals that could be found in stores, so there may be some glint of a silver lining there… and I’m trying really hard to find it, friends.

I am working on a comprehensive online virtual yarn aisle for Heart Hook Home. (Update: it’s ready! Find it here, and always at the top of the blog) If, for example, you’re needing a worsted weight yarn for a blanket you’re planning, you’ll be able to check for worsted weight yarns available online, see what their fiber content is, yardage, how many grams/ounces, etc. Or you can check which retailer has the best price, or shipping discount etc, and make your selection that way.

The “virtual yarn aisle” is separated out by yarn weight, and includes online retailers like WeCrochet, Herrschners, Mary Maxim, Hobbii, Premier Yarns, Lion Brand, Berroco, Cascade Yarns, and Red Heart, Bernat, Caron, etc.

My goal is for this to be an online yarn aisle where crafters can go to peruse ALL of the yarns available in a particular weight, whether that is fingering, sock, DK or light worsted, worsted weight, bulky, or jumbo, and not just what brands or inventory that one brick and mortar store has in stock.

While the closing of craft stores, or the reducing of yarn selections in stores that are remaining open, is definitely not something to be celebrated, maybe we’ll find some great deals during the liquidation of the JOANN inventory, and maybe we’ll find some new fiber favorites online that make up for the loss of in-store yarn dates going forward.

As for me, I think I’ll try to take my hook and yarn into public more often. Yes, I crochet in public every morning during my walks, but maybe we should plan more meet ups with yarn friends as coffee shop crochet dates? At least then we can touch each other’s yarn! 🥹💔

More crochet and yarn for you:

Brava Worsted Weight Yarn Review

How to Crochet a Dog Leash

Tunisian in the Round Crochet Hook Set Review

Easy Ways to Soften Crochet

How to Unkink Circular Knitting Needles and Tunisian Crochet Cords

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

30 Comments

  1. Wow, the virtual yarn store is a real labor of love! I cannot believe how much you create and pass on to us. Thank you for all you do.
    Reply
  2. You must have shopped at better Joanns that the one's I had here in Los Angeles. 90% of the yarn was acrilic, 5% cotton, and if I was lucky 5% natural fibers. I didn't need to touch them; I knew how would feel and pill. Imagine my excerlation when I went to one of the larger LYS. There were fibers that I had only seen in knitting magazines! These were worth touching. Return trips to Joanns made me realized that most of their yarn was crap, stuff to use for donated baby blankets. I'm looking forward to you continued creation for the virtual yarn aisle.
    Reply
  3. hope this isn't a repeat of someone else... I heard that Joann will continue with an on-line presence...I hope so. At least we might be able to get our favorites still. Right now, my yarn hoard is so big, I am trying desperately to use it up before I buy more yarn.
    Reply
  4. I just spent roughly $120US on cones from Joann's online. I've been holding out on buying the newer colors and I missed a couple, but I'll live without them. I'm just sad that Joann's going away and I can't help but think that others will follow. Thanks Amazon - you done wrong, very wrong!
    Reply
  5. Hi, I took the time to read your article. Thanks for writing it!! Yes, you are right about what you said. Here is my hope: I am a spinner and get beautiful fleeces. It does take more time to get the wool to a point where you can spin it and then weave with it, but I think it is worth it. Yes, I am a weaver and also a knitter. I will come back to your site. I also want to try crocheting again. No one will stop us from enjoying our love of fiber and our love of making it into beautiful wearable art. Thanks again for your great article!!! Diane iadiane77@gmail.com
    Reply
  6. Thanks for your article and the ideas you proposed. In San Diego we knitters and crocheters are bereft, but those of us who buy fabric are even more bereft. I had gotten used to buying yarn online because neither Joann's or Michaels here have much selection. But my Joann's store has SO MUCH fabric. I don't know how to buy fabric without touching it first. This is really awful.
    Reply
  7. This so completely sucks! We do have a Hobby Lobby close by and a Michael's within reasonable driving distance. But....not only do I crochet and knit, I sew as well. Our Walmart no longer has a complete fabric section. Just a small crafts area with very poor quality pre cut fabric. Their yarn selection is mediocre at best. Sigh....Hobby Lobby in our area is higher priced and less selection in yarn and material than JoAnn. I will be checking out your yarn aisles for information for sure! Can't wait to see what you create!
    Reply
  8. I'm from Canada and I agree about the Michael's dwindling selection of supplies. It's getting worse each year - especially for safety eyes and noses (only one or 2 sizez available, and the eye sizes don't correspond to the nose sizes!). The shipments are dictated by Head Office in Texas not by local interest or needs. And with tariffs, I don't know they'll survive up here if crafter are going to support local or non-American companies. Personally, I order much of my yarn from Hobbii in Denmark. I love their selection, their customer perks, their Bingo games (where you have 6 chances to win free products) AND their weekly live shopping where they discuss yarns, textures, patterns, etc. Gea and Luisa are very knowledgeable regarding their yarns, and the company offers weekly discounts as well as special offers/discounts.
    Reply
  9. Big Twist was made for Joann’s by Spinrite which is Yarnspirations so it is guessed that it will appear on their website (possible under a new name) in the months to come. Fingers crossed!
    Reply
  10. The virtual yarn isle would be a blessing for sure. Thanks for thinking of taking on that task. Take care and God Bless Joan
    Reply
  11. I’m losing my job with Joanns! I’m very sad but also a little angry! The LLC that purchased Joanns ran the company in the ground! The CEO made $2.3 MILLION in 2922-23! Also the current management still were given year end bonuses (2024)!!!
    Reply
  12. Great idea! I've talked to a manager at my local Wal-Mart and suggested they increase their yarn section. We live in a small town in Michigan and have to drive 12 miles to Wal-Mart. Otherwise 30+ miles to the nearest HL, Michael's and JA Fabrics, which my friends and I do occasionally because WM is so limited.
    Reply
  13. I'm in Australia, so the closure of JoAnn's doesn't affect me, but I commiserate with you. That's great that you will give info on the online shopping though, which will be of interest to me - thank you for all the wonderful work you do. I've made many of your lovely patterns.
    Reply
  14. I will still get yarns from Hobby Lobby, Michael's and will order from Herrschner's' or Mary Maxim or Lion Brand, or some little place in Midland Michigan.
    Reply
  15. Thanks so much for becoming our virtual yarn aisle. I will sorely miss Joanns. Maybe more yarn companies will make mini skeins so we can try the yarns at a smaller price point and not wind up with a tub full of yucky yarn.
    Reply
  16. Thanks for the very thoughtful, caring article! But I wish we consumers did not constantly have to go online for EVERYTHING...clothes, shoes, gifts...because the internet has practically lit a bomb to our local shops and businesses, AND those online orders can be a big waste of time and money, let alone a loss of identify....But I digress! It remains very hard for folks who are not computer savvy enough to FIX all the problems with the tech devices we all are forced to live with. It takes HOURS of speaking to foreign sounding customer service agents, then directions that don't work or are so time-consuming that one just gives up! Maybe I am just too old to appreciate!...but the internet leaves a lot to be desired these days. But I will look for your new venture to help your community with their ongoing efforts to continue the great hobbies and sometimes private business experiences they have come to depend on. Thanks again for your concern and very inciteful understanding. PS! It would be wonderful if someone could just buy out the corporate raider who cares little for anything but his/her own pocketbook. This crafting community can be a gold-mine... but maybe needs to offer LESS coupon deals to customers to avoid going broke...just fair and competitive pricing! (Referrence RED LOBSTER and many others!) DONE!
    Reply
  19. Good for you. It makes me happy to hear someone is taking the challenge to help us for online shopping. We don’t have a choice sometimes when buying yarn. It’s cheap looking and expensive. I like to use good yarn from the neighborhood yarn store but there mostly gone. Good for you and it’s grand idea.
    Reply
  20. I to will miss JoAnn's. I'm in my 70's and live in a yarn desert. I buy 90% of my supplies from JoAnn's, so really very sad of the closing. I do really like your idea of the virtual isle, fantastic idea. It will take allot of work, I know I will appreciate this and will visit it often. Can't wait to see it. Thank you for your article. Another sad crafter
    Reply
  21. This post touched my HEART. My crochet group (we call ourselves the “Scarfies” ) was discussing this on Tuesday. Our talk was almost like talking through the five stages of death! But your words brought me hope that you can bring our community together to virtually walk the aisles of skeins again
    Reply
  22. Would love to join your crochet community, but I don't "do" Facebook (or similar others) because when I have tried to sign up they want more of my information than I am willing to provide (photo of me, a photo of my Driver license/ID, etc) NO Way - not for social media. So will there be something similar you do on a blog?
    Reply
  23. I appreciate your insight into this. I personally have never bought yarn at Joann so I didn't understand how this was the only physical store yarn option for some. But I also sew so I have bought fabric there. I am not at all familiar with the online fabric landscape. And most of the discussions I've seen revolve around yarn artists should do with Joann closing. My point is that it's been interesting how the different craft communities have reacted to this. My understanding from talking with other sewist online is that most of them never bought fabric from Joann cuz it's not good quality so the closure doesn't affect that community as much. Anyway I wish the best to any yarners who are impacted by this.
    Reply
  24. Great ideas to shop by yarn weight, brand, etc. I quilt, crochet, knit, etc., and I am sad Joanns is closing. I have a great Quilt Shop about a 1/2 hour away, and it is a wonderful shop. Maybe now I will finally begin to use all of the yarn set aside for projects in waiting.
    Reply
  25. I plan on checking out ICE Yarns. After watching a crocheter take us on tour while she shopped, who lives in Nairobi KENYA (The Secret Yarnery on socials), I've been trying to find a place where I could get yarn for the prices she shared or at least close to it. I think I found it in ICE Yarns out of Turkey. Bulk yarn for very low prices is what I was looking for and this might be the place.
    Reply
  26. Thank you so very much for putting this comprehensive article together. I am not alone in the closing of JoAnn’s rockin my world. I am in my 60’s so of course have shopped there forever! I started sewing in elementary school. I added yarn arts in high school and have never tired of it. I am not happy about JoAnns closing. It feels like losing a friend.
    Reply
  27. Thank you for this post! You said what many of us are feeling. I absolutely love your idea of making a virtual yarn aisle. !!! It would be great if you could also link your available patterns to a particular yarn or yarn weight in the VS. That way, whether we are browsing patterns with links to yarn, or browsing yarns, we always have links available for what we need. Let me know if you need any help with the design, construction or research for your yarn aisle. I work pro bono for my yarnie friends. ;-)
    Reply
  29. Thanks for your optimism and solution based outlook. I have been so sad about Joann's. My non-fiber-loving friends cannot share in my feelings of depression and joke that I will have to start using my on-hand stash (gasp). In all seriousness, the despair over Joann's closing is a real thing. Thank you for building this community ❣️
    Reply