Locking Bar Eglu Classic

[Olly]

Calling all knitters ... do you buy online, and if so, where from?

 

Having just got into knitting again, I started with two 'ChuxTux' battery chicken jumpers, and now I've nearly finished a knitted chicken which has been fun. I'm feeling so confident that I have offered to knit an Aran sweater for a friend.

 

Last time I was knitting (20+ years ago), there were such things as wool shops - now I don't know where to look for wool! I've just been to John Lewis in my lunch-hour, but they have a limited range.

 

I'd be really grateful for any recommendations, I've Googled 'knitting wool' but there are so many sites I don't know where to start.

[Nicola H]

I find John Lewis is very expensive, and like you say there are not a lot of knitting shops around. I usually shop on line, I find the best way is to type in the kind of wool you require then the sites that sell it will appear then i just shop around until i find the best price some sites offer free postage when you spend a certain amount. I can't really recommend one shop as I use lots depending on the wool I need but i have always had good service and competitive prices from a shop called Kemps wools........Good luck I hope you find what you want at a good price.

[hilda-and-evadne]

Calling all knitters ... do you buy online, and if so, where from?... I'd be really grateful for any recommendations, I've Googled 'knitting wool' but there are so many sites I don't know where to start.

 

When I last looked, there seemed to be a number of eBay shops selling knitting wool. I have bought quite a lot of in the past year - known brands are usually about a £1 less than in John Lewis but of course one has to factor in the cost of postage - and am on watch for a small amount of white angora ... the auctions I've seen so far of handfuls of balls of white angora have finished up at more than I want to pay.

[ubereglu]

Well we buy our knitting wool from a local little wool shop called Enid's, Denners, a local department store, Yandles, a crafty place and Bargain shops for the bright acrylic stuff.

 

If you're looking for suppliers perhaps buy a copy of a knitting magazine as they often have shops advertising in the back like poultry magazines do.

[Olly]

Thanks for the suggestions - I don't know anyone else who knits, but I knew you lot would come up with some ideas.

 

It's a particularly good idea about eBay for the odd balls when you only need a small amount.

 

I have found one Aran supplier online, I'll wait for my friend to decide what colour she wants. I hadn't even though about a knitting magazine (didn't know there were any actually ) but I bet that will have lots of ads in.

[chickweed]

Hobby Craft sells knitting yarns, patterns etc.

I don't know how their prices compare with internet purchases, but at least you can see and feel the wool before you buy.

[Trish]

ok here we go.

http://www.colinette.co.uk/

http://www.laughinghens.com/

http://www.webofwool.co.uk/

http://www.love2knit.co.uk/

http://www.knitting4fun.com/

http://www.rowan-upcountry.com/store/index.php

http://www.ethknits.co.uk/

and of course ebay

 

I've used all the above although some were at the shows

http://www.twistedthread.com/pages/exhibitions/viewExhibition.aspx?id=19&view=overview

 

hope that helps

[little chickadee]

I get mine from a local shop normally, but also from ebay. Where did you get the beads from to finish the knitted chicken Olly? Please can we have some photos?

[Ana's flock]

Normally e-bay. Sometimes John Lewis and Hobbycraft. Last year I went to a mill up north (I think it was Derbyshire) and I had a field day! I still have lots of the stuff I bought.

[Olly]

ooh thanks very much - I don't know Hobbycraft, will have to Google them. Trish, many thanks for the list of sites, I am going to try some of them now!

 

My chicken is still in bits, Clare - I've knitted almost all of it but I haven't put it together yet. Have to admit that I didn't realise beads were needed - is that for the eyes? I will probably go back to John Lewis for those - let me know if you need some for your chicken, I can post them to you. I will definitely be putting a photo on when I get to the making-up stage, I will be so proud of it!

 

Thanks so much for all the responses. Omlet Forum to the rescue yet again!

[ChookieCaz]

I tend to use a variety of places. I have used Heelas (John Lewis) and Jackson's (in Reading), also our local hardware shop, the local charity shop and "The Wool Shop" in Tilehurst, Reading. Heelas/John Lewis is expensive, but The Wool Shop is more reasonable and good customer service, especially as I still need an L-plate.

[Sheilaz]

Or ask at Oxfam?

[ChookieCaz]

A couple of days ago, I noticed that Aldi has some packs of wool and sometimes Lidl has also sold some.

[Olly]

Thanks for that, Caz. I have ordered some online from a company called knitwell.co.uk. It seems amazingly cheap but it is branded wool (Wendy). I'm just waiting for it to arrive - have the pattern, have checked that I have the right size needles, I am eager to start.

 

Unfortunately the knitted chicken is at a standstill, because I have lost my only wool-size sewing needle so I can't stitch it all up! While there are lots of shops near work, none of them are the sort to sell sewing kit - it's either another trip to John Lewis in my lunch-hour, or wait till next weekend. Bah!

[lisaroo2]

Hi Olly

 

Have you tried looking in charity shops for knitting wool, they might not always have the exact colour that you're after but sometimes you can drop on some really good bargains.

 

In Staffs we have a shop called Abakhan which sells it, they're a haberdashers, (if that's the correct spelling). Hobbycraft stores will also stock some, so its worth looking to see if you have one locally.

 

Hope this helps

 

Lisa

Ps would love to see a pic of your knitted chicken, I crocheting squares at the mo to make into a blanket.