Where to Buy Yarn in Cork City

Leesiders love their knitting, as shown by the multiple fibre craft groups meeting every week. The passion for all things woolly and wonderful extends beyond just making things to being a community. Even if you are just starting out, this is a wonderful way to meet friends, hone your skills, and get out for a bit of good clean fun. Here are a few of the shops selling yarn in Cork City…

Youghal Knits
23 Princes Street, Tel# 021-4251251
Lovely yarn, very kind and helpful staff, ready-made sweaters available for purchase, good selection of needles and buttons too! If you like the cozy little independent shops, this place is waiting for you. Here, there’s no shame in asking for help finding a budget yarn for a project. They sell yarn and a variety of knitting needles (including circulars).

Cork Wools
10/11 Market Parade (between English Market and Patrick Street), Tel# 021-4274816
Tucked in the arcade corridor this place has a good selection of basic and luxurious yarns. You’ll swoon over some of the offerings. They sell yarn and a selection of knitting needles (including circulars).

Vibes & Scribes Arts & Crafts
http://www.vibesandscribes.ie/4.html

21 Lavitt’s Quay (different than their new books and used books stores), Tel# 021-4279535
Best price I’ve ever seen for Kilcarra Aran Wool (€3/50g or €10/250g select dyes). Broad selection of delicious colors and soft textures – recently expanded considerably. Some yarn comes with a free pattern! As of April 2009, they host a weekly knit night on Thursdays from 19:00 to 21:00. Nice chance to drop in and knit with others. They sell luxury wools, alpaca, etc… as well as a selection of needles (mostly straight).

Hedgehog Fibres*
http://www.hedgehogfibres.etsy.com
Web-based shop specialising in rich-hued hand-dyed merino, bamboo, silk, and cashmere. If you have a special project and want it to be handmade from start to finish, this is the place to look for your yarn. For those of you in the States, you can order online and have it shipped ($5) directly to your home. Best part is that you know no one else will have that exact color combination and textured yarn – makes perfect gifts for a discerning knitter. For tourists wanting to bring yarn home but not having time to browse extensively, this is an easy way to get what you want without subjecting your traveling companion to browsing yarn shops.

Hickey’s Fabrics
The Savoy Centre, St. Patrick’s Street, Tel# 021-4277005
Corner devoted to knitting supplies. Good selection of yarns. Lovely place and well-lighted. Like many retail chains, the staff are prompt about their closing time. So, don’t expect to rush in ten minutes before closing and leave with what you need unless you know exactly what it is, where it is, and how much you need. Not as willing as the smaller yarn shops (particularly Youghal Knits and Cork Wools) to put down everything to help you look for the right supplies for your project. They sell yarn and a selection of knitting needles.

Cork Crafts
Paul Street Shopping Centre (same building as Tesco)
Yarn selection for knitting as well as yarn, thread, and supplies for other needle crafts, such as needlepoint and such.

Cork Button Company
4 Pope’s Quay

Hours: 10:00 – 17:00, Monday through Friday

Limited selection of yarn that seems to be suited for those looking to knit or crochet a baby blanket. Mind-boggling selection of buttons. Rumored to supply buttons and thread to the local tailors, so if you need a particular thread or are searching for a special button design, this is treasure for you to behold. They sell yarn and a small selection of knitting needles.

* I have linked to Hedgehog Fibres a few times:
Mmm, New Yarn
Where To Buy Yarn in Cork City
Virtual Yarn Stash
Cork-based Spinning & Dyeing

DISCLOSURE: Hedgehog Fibres is Cork-based and I know her personally. She has given my two skeins as a gift during the course of our friendship. Read about the FTC Regulation that sparked this disclosure.