XblogBU - The Crimson Stitchery

London is a haven for knitters! You can find a diverse array of yarn shops here, from neighbourhood local yarn shops, chi-chi boutiques, educational workshops run by artists, and haberdashery sections of department stores. There really is something for every type of knitter, and options can be found to suit a range of budgets.

Here are 10 yarn shops to check out on your next visit to London, as recommended by a Londoner. Some of these shops are my absolute favourites, where I’ve known the owner for several years, and regularly make both online and in-person purchases. Others are really convenient when you’re in the area and need to grab some supplies. I haven’t had the chance to visit a couple of these shops in-person, but I’ve included them on this list because I’ve had a good experience ordering online from them, or because a fellow knitter has had a positive visit.

I share what I love about each shop, what types of yarns they specialise in, and what else you can check out nearby. The focus is on yarn here, though some shops also sell haberdashery, notions, tools, equipment or fabric.

The shops are located across the city, and include options in Central London. No matter how long or short your visit, I’m sure you can squeeze in a little bit of yarn shopping whilst you’re here! And when you get home, cast on a new project to remind you of your trip!

View yarn shop locations on Google Maps

I’ve saved each yarn shop on a dedicated list on Google Maps – click here to see the map. You can save each location on your device, so you can easily pull up each shop’s transport directions and opening hours.

Check each shop’s opening hours on Google Maps, their website or social media. The opening hours can be irregular, especially with some of the smaller shops, so I advise planning ahead.

Many of these yarn shops regularly host knit nights, classes and workshops, so do check out their websites to see what events are listed.

Click here to view London yarn shops on Google Maps.

London is a huge city, and tourists visiting will soon discover that it can take quite a long time to traverse it via public transport! I don’t recommend visiting all of these shops in one day. Rather, pick a compass-point and enjoy spending a few hours in each area, enjoying other small businesses nearby and comparing the different vibes of each London neighbourhood.

East London yarn shops

East London is the home of 3 local yarn shops which sit within a creative community of neighbourhood shops and London knitters. Each shop stocks a slightly different yarn range, and their products are carefully selected. Rather than seeing each other as competitors, they have joined forces and formed the East London Yarn Triangle. I love this supportive and collaborative spirit, which truly fosters creativity!

1. Wild and Woolly

www.wildandwoollyshop.co.uk

116 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0QX

Closest stations: 15-20 min walk from either Clapton (London Overground), Hackney Downs (London Overground, National Rail) or Hackney Central (London Overground)

Wild and Woolly is a friendly neighbourhood local yarn store that also sells tools, notions and gifts. Its thoughtfully-chosen yarn range really is the best of wools from amazing suppliers in the UK, Europe and internationally. It’s fast become my favourite yarn store in London! Wild and Woolly also has a selection of beautiful hand-dyed yarns from local London dyers. There are options for a range of budgets. If you have a passion for yarn, or if you need some advice, this is the place to go.

Whilst you’re there, definitely check out some of the eateries on the strip!

2. Knit With Attitude

knitwithattitude.com

127 Stoke Newington High Street, London, GB N16 0PH

Closest station: Stoke Newington (London Overground)

Sustainability is paramount at Knit With Attitude: the yarn range is carefully selected from ethical suppliers, and it primarily offers natural yarns. There are yarns for a range of budgets, from artisanal hand-dyed yarns to reliable work-horse options. This small shop is really lovely, with a fantastic selection of yarns. The owner is really friendly and has a wild sense of colour – I enjoyed asking her for a second-opinion on my selection.

3. Fabrications

www.fabrications1.co.uk

7 Broadway Market, London E8 4PH

Closest Station: London Fields (London Overground)

A community workshop space which also sells a range of yarns and knitting supplies. I’ve only been here once, and had a positive experience.

There are umpteen eateries in the area, an outdoor swimming pool (London Fields Lido), and street market stalls on certain days, so it’s a great hang-out spot. If it’s a dry day, do what the locals do: buy a pizza from Franco Manca and a few cans of craft beer from the corner shop, and eat sitting on the grass on London Fields.

North London yarn shops

4. Loop

www.loopknitting.com

15 Camden Passage, N1 8EA

Closest station: Angel (Northern line)

With two floors, Loop stocks a wide range of luxury yarns from around the world (especially US brands), plus beautiful gifts, tools, haberdashery and more. It’s super-stylish, and has the feel of a curated boutique for knitters. It gets really busy on weekends.

Loop is popular with tourists, although note that the yarn brands on offer are international and it’s run by a native New Yorker. So whilst it definitely represents new trends on the knitting scene, I wouldn’t say that it has an especially London ‘flavour’. That’s not to dismiss it at all – in fact Loop gave the London knitting scene a huge boost when it first opened! It’s just something to bear in mind if you’re visiting from the US, as in my opinion Loop’s draw for Londoners is that we can get hold of exciting ‘foreign’ brands!

5. Handweavers Studio & Gallery

http://www.handweavers.co.uk

140 Seven Sisters Rd, N7 7NS

Closest station: Finsbury Park (Victoria line), Arsenal (Piccadilly line)

Slightly different from the other yarn shops in this list, the Handweavers Studio runs workshops and supplies yarns and fibres for a range of textile crafts, including weaving and dyeing as well as knitting and crochet. They have an amazing range of unusual fibres, including less-common plant fibres which you’ll rarely find supplied by more commercial brands. The staff are really friendly and helpful too, and it’s a great place to educate yourself on textile techniques and fibres.

South & South-West London yarn shops

6. Beautiful Knitters

beautifulknitters.co.uk

53 Moreton Street, SW1V 2NY

Closest station: Pimlico (Victoria line)

Disclaimer: I’ve walked past this shop several times now, but always when I’m on my way to an appointment, so I haven’t managed to go inside yet! Despite that, I wanted to include it on this list as it looks like a really lovely shop with a good selection of high-end yarns.

The location of Beautiful Knitters is also fantastic for art enthusiasts and London visitors: head to the Tate Britain gallery afterwards, or see if there are any exhibitions on at the Chelsea Space gallery, next to Chelsea College of Arts (a school which has a famous textile department). Alternatively you could plan it as the end-point of the riverside walk from Tate Modern to Tate Britain.

7. Tribe

www.tribeyarns.com

17 Richmond Hill, TW10 6RE

Closest station: 15-20 min walk from Richmond (District line, London Overground and National Rail)

Tribe is a treasure trove of the latest exciting, creative and luxury yarns by international brands. This boutique shop is arranged across 2 floors: head up the winding spiral staircase to browse further. The owner is truly passionate about finding the coolest yarns, patterns and gifts for knitters and crocheters, and I always get new ideas after visiting.

Tribe is located in Richmond in south-west London; depending on where you’re based in London, getting there can take a while. So see it as a day-trip: take a stroll by the river, have a few pints at a pub, or even combine it with a visit to a historical house or Kew Gardens.

Central London yarn shops

If you’re a visitor to London you’ll probably have the West End on your list of tourist spots, whether for galleries and museums, shopping, theatre or dare I say it, sightseeing! I frequently find myself in central London: it’s a convenient place to meet people when you’re all coming from different places in the city. Whilst many of London’s amazing yarn shops are located in smaller neighbourhood-areas of this big city, there are a couple of places to find yarn and knitting supplies in Central London. These can also make a good respite from all the walking that you’re probably doing. Here are my tried-and-true recommendations…

8. John Lewis

www.johnlewis.com

300 Oxford Street, W1C 1DX

Closest station: Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines)

Head upstairs to the Haberdashery department for a large selection of name-brand yarns, plus tools, buttons, haberdashery and fabric. You’ll find the latest in established British yarn brands like Rowan and Debbie Bliss, with magazines and books; plus they stock yarns for a range of budgets.

John Lewis might not sell the most seductive brands, but they do have a broad selection of reliable yarns. As it’s a large department store, I always head here for the loo when I’m shopping in central London…and have a spritz of perfume from the beauty counters on the way out!

9. MacCulloch & Wallis

www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk

25-26 Poland Street, W1F 8QN

Closest station: Tottenham Court Road (Northern, Central & Elizabeth lines)

A small selection of yarns and fabric is available from this central London haberdashery, where you’ll find a good range of notions, fastenings and threads.

MacCulloch & Wallis is located amongst the luxury fabric shops of Soho, and is often frequented by professional buyers from the nearby theatre district (the West End) and fashion industry. I’d advise that you have an idea of what you want to purchase before heading inside: the small shop floor gets extremely busy, leading to a cramped space, so it’s not really the place for leisurely browsing. Ask their staff for what you need, as they’ll retrieve stock efficiently.

10. Liberty

www.libertylondon.com

Regent Street, Carnaby, W1B 5AH

Closest station: Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines)

Find a tight selection of brand-name yarns, decadent gifts for makers, plus the current range of Liberty print fabrics in the Haberdashery department upstairs.

Liberty is a famous London department store selling sumptuous and beautiful luxury goods since the 1870s. The real draw here is the walk through the shop: take the stairs and wander leisurely through the galleries, feeling inspired by the latest in designer ceramics and textiles. If you’re visiting in Autumn, head to the Christmas store which occupies a whole floor with Christmas decorations in a magical cacophony of glittery, glistening whimsy.

Enjoy knitting in London!

With 10 recommended yarn shops to check out across London, you’re sure to enrich your stash with lots of new beautiful yarns. I hope you enjoy visiting these shops, and that you find something lovely to bring home and knit. And if you’d like to knit a pattern by a London designer using your London yarns, then check out my range of knitting patterns!

Are there any other yarn stores in London and the surrounding areas that you’ve visited and recommend? Let me know in the comments!