Where to Buy Yarn in Cork City

Here are a few of the places that sell yarn in Cork City…

Youghal Knits  ***Slainté Cork Favorite***
23 Princes Street, Tel# 021-4251251
Lovely yarn, welcoming shop, and very helpful staff. If you like 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 and will receive help if the shop is quiet. If you do not knit (or are a slow knitter like myself) but want a hand-knit gift, ready-made sweaters/jumpers/cardigans available for purchase. They sell yarn and a variety of knitting needles (including circulars) and basic selection of buttons.

Cork Wools
10/11 Market Parade (between English Market and Patrick Street), Tel# 021-4274816
Tucked in the arcade corridor this cozy place has a good selection of basic and luxurious yarns. As with Hedgehog Fibres and Vibes & Scribes, you may swoon over some of the offerings. They sell yarn and a selection of knitting and crochet needles (including circulars).

Vibes & Scribes Arts & Crafts   ***Slainté Cork Favorite***
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 seen in County Cork 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    ***Slainté Cork Favorite***
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     ***Slainté Cork Favorite***
4 Pope’s Quay
Hours: 10:00 to 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 basic selection of straight knitting needles. Helpful staff.

©2009 Evin O'Keeffe