What do you who live kinda far from a LYS do? - Page 2

Jan in CA · 04-23-2011, 06:16 PM

Free shipping? In this day and age..good luck with that. You may have to just do it and make it worth while once in a while. Check the shipping rates and average the cost over how much yarn you're buying. It often isn't that bad since you're getting the yarn cheaper over the internet than in a store anyway. The sites I linked to all have good prices on yarn.

I hope your mom can send you a care package.

ArtLady1981 · 04-24-2011, 04:50 AM

Even though I live walking distance from a great LYS, I purchase most of my yarn online. I give my two LYS's good business, but not all of my businesses.

N0obKnitter · 04-24-2011, 06:32 PM

I noticed sometimes you can only buy hanks...another reason I prefer brick-and-mortar LYSes is they will make a hank you buy "knit-friendly" KWIM?

Knitpicks sent me a hank (didn't wind it for me) and it's sitting in a box, consequently.

I did buy a winder from KP, but then found out I need a swift and those are waaaaaaaaay too much $ for me. :(

Jan in CA · 04-24-2011, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by N0obKnitter

Knitpicks sent me a hank (didn't wind it for me) and it's sitting in a box, consequently.

Wind it yourself. I do it all the time. I make nice center pull balls. I start by wrapping the yarn around 2 fingers though and then wrapping it over my thumb or fingers. Works the same way really. Just do it sorta loosely. You don't want to stretch your yarn.

http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/pl...nter-pull-ball

suzeeq · 04-24-2011, 09:48 PM

Yep, you don't need either a swift or winder. I open up the hanks and loop it over the couch arm, my knees or you can use the back of a kitchen/dining type chair. Then wind it by hand as in the video Jan linked to.

If you bought a lot of these kinds of skeins it might be a hassle to do it yourself, but for one or 2 every once in a while, it's something to do while you watch tv.

etoilechaude · 04-25-2011, 02:33 AM

www.happyknits.com takes paypal and above a certain amount they offer free shipping.

I know you can also e-mail them (info@happyknits.com) as soon as you place your order and they will wind it up for you... although that does make it ineligible for exchange.

N0obKnitter · 04-25-2011, 03:14 PM

So my DH has agreed to take me to a not-so-local yarn store in the next few weeks. YAY

suecq · 04-25-2011, 05:03 PM

I use a debit card and order online about twice a month. I order from Knitpicks, Webbs, Yarnmarket and elann. I have had only a few minor problems (wrong yarn sent)and they have always been resolved quickly. My latest order is from Webbs for 13 skeins of Noro Shirabaka.

kittykins · 04-25-2011, 08:26 PM

http://us.deramores.com/?gclid=CLbh4...FYrr7QodzxA9CQ

I found this place online that has free shipping. It's in the UK. Have gotten some sock yarn from them which I have been very happy with. Was extremely pleased with the shipping time! Only took a week to get to me in TX! I'll definitely order from them again.

Antares · 04-27-2011, 04:07 PM

How about scavenging the local thrift and Goodwill stores for old sweaters from which you can recycle the yarn?

I live about an hour away from stores with any variety of yarn (and their yarns are fairly low quality--and very expensive), so I'm thinking I will hit some thrift stores and see what I can find in the way of old sweaters.

There are some great how-to articles on line about "how to unravel a sweater" (just use the words in quotes as your search term).