10 Best Yarn Stores in Chicago for Knitting, Crochet & Fiber Art
10 Best Yarn Stores in Chicago for Knitting, Crochet & Fiber Art
Want a yarn shop that feels inspiring the moment you walk in? Below is a curated guide to the best yarn stores in Chicago and nearby towns—plus tips for planning a mini “yarn crawl,” what to buy by project, and where to find classes & meetups.
Looking for the best yarn stores in Chicago to spark your next knitting, crochet, or fiber arts project? Whether you're a lifelong stitcher or just picking up your first hook, the Windy City and its neighboring towns are filled with charming, creative, and community-driven yarn shops ready to welcome you.
Here's our list of top 10 Chicago yarn shops worth visiting—featuring indie fiber hubs, local favorites, and can't-miss destinations for fiber artists across Chicagoland.
AriYARN Shop and Studio
Park Ridge, IL
Why it stands out: AriYARN is a welcoming, modern yarn boutique with a community-first vibe. Offering premium yarns, eco-friendly fibers, and a beautifully designed seating space for crafting or classes, it's more than a yarn store—it's a local hub for creativity.
- Free Thursday night knit & crochet meetups (5–7 PM)
- Extensive indie and natural fiber selection
- Shop online: Visit the Online Store
- Classes & events: Workshops & Events
Nina Chicago
West Town
This West Town staple is known for its curated luxury yarns, sleek interior, and rotating selection of independent dyers. Nina Chicago's minimal aesthetic is perfect for crafters seeking a clean, boutique experience. They offer private lessons, beginner workshops, and seasonal trunk shows with top brands.
Sister Arts Studio
Lincoln Park
Combining fiber arts and mixed media, Sister Arts Studio stands out for its family-friendly classes and youth programs. Beyond yarn, you'll find embroidery, needle felting kits, and curated handmade gifts. Their community board regularly hosts events, fiber meetups, and open craft days.
Miss Purl Chicago
Beverly
A vibrant South Side maker salon blending commercial and hand-dyed yarns with drop-in clinics and seasonal workshops for all skill levels.
Knit 1
North Center
Knit 1 is proudly inclusive and known for supporting LGBTQ+ makers. Their bright storefront carries a curated mix of bold indie-dyed yarns and minimalist basics. The shop is known for its community spirit, open studio hours, and monthly skill-building series. Their "Knitflix" nights are a favorite local hangout.
Firefly Fiber Arts Studio
Ravenswood
Firefly focuses on slow fashion and sustainability. The studio carries eco-friendly yarns, plant-dyed fibers, and locally made goods. They also host mending workshops, visible repair events, and artisan markets. A favorite among eco-conscious creators and textile artists.
Yarnify!
South Loop
A community-focused store with a vibrant personality. Yarnify! welcomes knitters, crocheters, weavers, and spinners with its inclusive atmosphere and vast yarn wall. From Malabrigo to Brooklyn Tweed, the shop offers weekly workshops and a popular "Wednesday Night Stitch" social.
The Bloomin’ Spindle
Portage Park
A French pastry–inspired yarn shop offering exclusive indie labels, an in-house dye studio, and weekly community meetups.
Wool & Co
South Elgin
Wool & Co is a yarn wonderland. Its open layout features hundreds of brands organized by weight and fiber. Their website mirrors the in-store experience with high-resolution photos and swatch suggestions. Great for bulk purchases and gift bundles. Free winding and free shipping are nice bonuses.
String Theory Yarn Company
Glen Ellyn
This cozy West Suburban shop specializes in ethical, fair-trade, and regional yarns. The staff frequently collaborates with indie dyers and features small-batch releases. Their knit-alongs raise money for local causes. They also run a sustainable yarn subscription box.
🔎 More Yarn Shops People Ask About (Unranked Mentions)
Keeping this guide focused on the Top 10 above—here are additional yarn and fiber shops that readers commonly search for when planning a Chicago yarn crawl, comparing neighborhoods, or browsing “yarn stores near me.” This section is unranked and listed purely for convenience.
Note: We do not link out to other shops here. If you’re comparing options, bookmark names and check hours/availability separately.
Chicagoland-area shops frequently searched (within ~30 miles)
- Mosaic Yarn Studio, Ltd. — Mount Prospect (often searched for “mosaic yarn studio” and “yarn store mount prospect”).
- Three Bags Full Knitting Studio — Northbrook (a common “yarn shop near me” result for North Shore makers).
- Evanston Stitchworks — Evanston (searched for classes, repairs, and fiber arts supplies).
- The Dropped Stitch — North Shore / Chicago suburbs (often searched with “dropped stitch yarn”).
- The Knitting Pot — Elmhurst (frequent “knitting shop elmhurst” query).
- Yarns Untold — western suburbs (often searched with “yarns untold”).
- Yarns Unlimited — western suburbs (popular query for “yarns unlimited”).
- Dye Hard Yarns — Oak Park (searched for indie-dyed yarn and “dye hard yarns oak park”).
- Classic Stitch — Winnetka (frequent North Shore search result).
- Idea Studio Knits — La Grange area (searched for “idea studio knits”).
- Northfield Yarn — Northfield (searched for “northfield yarn”).
- Bolly’s Hobbies Yarn ETC — Cicero area (searched for “Bolly’s Hobbies Yarn ETC”).
National / online yarn retailers people compare against (ship across the U.S.)
- yarn.com (WEBS) — often searched as “yarn dot com” and “WEBS yarn.”
- KnitPicks — value-focused yarn and tools (frequent comparison keyword).
- WeCrochet — sister brand frequently searched alongside KnitPicks.
- Jimmy Beans Wool — known for curated kits and yarn bundles.
- LoveCrafts — broad craft marketplace (yarn + patterns).
- Purl Soho — searched for modern patterns + premium yarn.
- Hobbii — frequently searched for crochet yarn deals and cotton.
- Yarnspirations — mainstream brand hub (frequent “yarnspirations patterns” searches).
- Lion Brand — common beginner search for “lion brand yarn.”
- Premier Yarns — searched for value yarn and specialty acrylics.
Other destination yarn shops that show up in national searches
- The Yarnery — frequently searched for classes + community.
- Imagiknit — well-known destination shop outside Illinois.
- Cleo’s Yarn Shop — appears often in “yarn shop” searches.
- Lovely Yarns — common national query for “lovely yarns.”
- The Endless Skein — frequently searched for indie yarn + notions.
- Knitting Fever — often searched as a yarn brand and distributor.
📍 Map of Yarn Stores in Chicago
Quick Location Reference
Park Ridge, IL 60068
West Town, Chicago
Lincoln Park, Chicago
Beverly, Chicago
North Center, Chicago
Ravenswood, Chicago
South Loop, Chicago
Portage Park, IL
South Elgin, IL
Glen Ellyn, IL
Click above to see all locations and get driving directions
🧭 “Yarn Crawl” Mini-Itineraries (Easy Planning)
- City Day (Neighborhood Hop): Choose 2–3 Chicago neighborhoods and plan lunch between stops. Aim for 60–90 minutes per shop.
- Suburbs Day (Relaxed + Parking-Friendly): Start at AriYARN in Park Ridge, then add 1–2 suburban stops for a calmer, browse-heavy day.
- Weekend Version: Do the city on Saturday, suburbs on Sunday. You’ll enjoy more time for events, meetups, and classes.
- What to bring: A project photo, gauge + needle sizes, and a list of “fiber goals” (merino? alpaca? cotton?).
- How to get the best help: Tell staff your project + pattern + desired feel (soft, structured, airy, machine-washable, etc.).
🧶 Yarn Crawl Tips for Chicago Shoppers
- Plan by Neighborhood: Group stores by area—South Loop, North Center, suburbs—for smoother navigation.
- Bring Cash & Cards: Some indie shops offer discounts for cash purchases.
- Ask About Trunk Shows: Shops often coordinate visits from indie dyers during yarn crawl season.
- Follow on Instagram: Stores post flash sales, pop-ups, and freebie alerts during the crawl.
- Track Your Visits: Use a printable yarn crawl passport or your phone to mark where you've shopped.
🎓 Choosing Yarn by Project Type
💡 FAQ
What's the best yarn shop near Park Ridge, IL?
Do any Chicago yarn stores host classes?
Where can I shop for yarn online from a Chicago store?
What are popular online yarn stores people compare when searching nationally?
Is it worth traveling outside downtown Chicago for yarn?
Are there any Chicago yarn meetups?
What types of yarns are best for beginners?
🎯 Visit AriYARN Today
Discover a cozy, curated space to shop, connect, and create. Visit AriYARN Shop and Studio at 153 N Northwest Hwy, Park Ridge, IL 60068, or browse online now. Your next project starts here.
