Why Yarn Store Yarn is Different—and Worth It

When you first discovered the joy of knitting or crocheting, you probably started where most of us did—with craft store yarn. It’s accessible, affordable, and a great way to dip your toes into the fiber world. But at some point, you probably found yourself stepping into a local yarn store (LYS) and feeling like Dorothy just landing in Oz.

The shelves were lined with yarns you’d never seen before, in colors that felt rich and sophisticated. The staff actually knit—and they knew a lot about yarn, patterns, and technique. But then, there was the price tag—wait, how much for that skein of yarn?!

That experience might have been just recently for you, or maybe you've been knitting with LYS yarn for forever. Either way, I wanted to dive in and talk a bit about LYS yarn because it is fundamentally different. Let’s take a look at what makes LYS yarn so special and what you're actually getting for the money.

1. Yarn Store Yarn is made from high-quality, natural fibers

One of the biggest differences between craft store yarn and LYS yarn is fiber content. Yarn stores focus on natural fibers like wool, alpaca, cotton, silk, and linen. These fibers breathe and keep you comfortable all year round.  

Natural fibers not only last longer in a finished garment, they’re also a pleasure to work with and feel wonderful against your skin when worn.

Although craft stores may carry yarn labeled merino, or cotton, remember that there are widely varying grades of every fiber.  The finer the strands, the softer the yarn.  LYS merino is typically between 18 and 20 microns while craft store merino is upwards of 24 to 26 microns which means not nearly as soft or nice.  Same with cotton.  Long staple cotton can be twisted less tightly giving a soft hand while lower quality cotton must be twisted very tightly and often feels more like string than yarn. 

2. The Color Palettes are more sophisticated

The colors in yarn store yarns are influenced by the fashion industry. The tones are more refined, wearable, and flattering—curated to pair beautifully with your wardrobe and complexion.

Craft store yarns, on the other hand, often focus on bright, basic, and seasonal colors (think pumpkin orange or holly berry red) that may not work as well for garments. Afghans made with yarn store yarn look better with your home furnishings since they’re also influenced by fashion and interior design trends. With LYS yarn, you’re investing in colors you’ll love for years to come.

3. Larger companies invest in high-quality designs to support their yarns. 

Larger companies, like Rowan, bring out scores of beautiful designs every season to inspire you and support your knitting journey. These garments and accessories are created by experienced designers who work hard to give knitters a wide range of options for beginning to advanced knitters, as well as a carefully curated selection of styles to suit every body type.  Yes, the pattern books cost, but that really just covers the cost of printing.  The cost of the designs themselves are borne entirely by the company.  

It is the same with Noro, Berroco, and many other LYS brands.  

4. Many LYS yarns come from small-batch producers or hand-dyers

Unlike large craft store brands that manufacture yarn in huge volumes, many yarns at an LYS are produced by independent dyers and small-batch fiber mills--like Feederbrook, and even Noro, as well as our own Tea Time Fibers.

These artisans work with carefully sourced fibers and create unique, hand-dyed colorways that can’t be mass-produced. Because they don’t have the economies of scale that big manufacturers do, their pricing reflects the time, effort, and artistry behind every skein.

5. The Staff at Your LYS is there to help you succeed

Walking into a yarn store can feel intimidating at first—especially when the staff is full of expert knitters who seem to know everything about fiber and technique. But here’s the thing—we're there to help.

At a craft store, you'll be lucky to find someone who knows the difference between DK and worsted weight. At most LYSs, and especially at Crazy for Ewe, every staff member is an experienced knitter and knows a ton about fiber, gauge, and pattern selection—meaning they can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Think of it this way: when you buy yarn from an LYS, you’re not just paying for the fiber—you’re also getting expert advice, support, and a community of fellow knitters.

Is Yarn Store Yarn Worth It? Absolutely.

Of course, if you're already part of the Crazy for Ewe community, you may already know much of this.  But maybe not, and I always want you to understand why and how particular yarns earn a place on our shelves and why we support and work with the companies we do.  

On a personal note, I don't work with companies of any size that engage in practices that harm animals, or with companies who cheapen their product by using inferior mills or exploiting workers.  There are enough companies out there that I can choose to bring you yarns from brands that share my values and my aesthetic.  I support women-owned businesses as much as I can, and companies that treat me, their team, and the knitters that buy their yarn, with respect and dignity.

Tell me about when you made the switch from craft store yarn to LYS yarn. What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments!