Knitting Stores in Ireland
The ratio of knitting shops in Ireland is unfortunately not proportional to the amount of sheep we have here. However, here are the ones that I know of. They’re sort of hidden away, and your average person on the street will not know if you ask.
Dublin
This Is Knit
Blackrock Market, Blackrock, Dublin 4. Get the number 4, 7 or 45 bus or Dart from town! Check out their excellent site for information about how to get there, opening hours, and the kind of stock they have.
Hickey’s
Henry St, opposite Debenhams, in the basement at the back of the shop.
Mostly Tivoli, some Wendy, Patons baby yarns and a huge array of novelty yarns. Pattern support is rubbish, practically non-existant. The one good thing about this shop is that they stock they jumbo-balls of Tivoli aran-weight yarns (400g) for between e9 and e12. These are definitely great value and I haven’t seen them anywhere else. They have recently started stocking Freedom Spirit by Twilleys, Sublime by Sirdar and Donegal Tweed by Kilcarra Yarns.
They stock Aero needles, but only straights between about 4mm upwards, only 3 sizes of circular needles, and no DPNs.
Trimmings
Technically not a knitting shop, but they stock every needle size imagineable to mankind – straights, DPNs and circulars. They also have bamboo straights from about 2.5mm up to 6mm, and bamboo DPNs too.
This shop rules for its buttons. It’s probably the best selection you’ll find in town. They also sell embroidery floss and cross-stitch kits, and fabric upstairs.
Wool shop on Parnell Street
This is behind the Ilac Centre, down near the UGC cinema. Be warned: it is disguised as a sewing machine repair shop. They stock mostly Tivoli, but have a good colour selection, better than Hickey’s. Wide variety of cottons (Tivoli and Patons). Some interesting acrylic mixes are always on sale. Needle selection not great.
Spring Wools
Situated in Walkinstown I have never had occasion to visit the shop. Check out their website here for more details about how to get there, opening hours and the yarns they stock.
Galway
Yarn
They stock Rowan, Noro, Debbie Bliss, Kilcarra, Louisa Harding, Colinette, GGH and Opal sock yarn kits. They also stock hand-spun yarn made by spinners in Kildare. They stock a wide variety of knitterature, including many of the Rowan books and magazines, as well as the GGH magazine, Rebecca. Visit the shop if you can, it’s lovely. Directions are on the site.
Anthony Ryans
There are two Ryans shops in Galway, the Home Store is the one you need. Go to the bottom of shop street, turn right through the market place, and the Home Store is to the right of the school which will be facing you across the road. Yarn section is upstairs. This is an excellent shop for Tivoli. They have practically every type they produce, and in all colours. They have a large selection of novelty yarn, and some german yarn called ‘Braeburn’. They seem to have a good selection of patterns for Tivoli and Wendy (the usual). The selection of needles is not so good. Fair selection of buttons and good pattern support for Tivoli and Wendy.
Interestingly, they have a fab selection of things to sew on (little embellishment things) ranging from jewelly things to googly eyes to beads. They are quite cheap too.
Belfast, Co. Antrim
Jean’s, Cregagh Road. Check out the website here
Simpson’s, in the town centre behind Marks and Spencer’s.
Ballina, Co. Mayo
Fusion, Bridge St. Stocking yarns, patterns and acccessories, this shop can be reached at 096-21249 or email at fusionballina@eircom.net.
Portadown, Co. Armagh
Yarnhouse, 28 Church Street. They stock a wide variety of yarns including Debbie Bliss, Louisa Harding, Noro, Rowan, RYC, Wendy, Patons, Elle, and Opal. They also offer a hand knit to order service. Phone at 028 3839 3337 or email at info@yarnhouse.co.uk.
Ennis, Co. Clare
I am told that there is a yarn shop on Parnell St in Ennis but I don’t know the name of it nor can I find any contact details for the shop. Anyone who knows anything about the existence of this shop, let me know!
Limerick city, Co. Limerick
Hickey’s, Cruises St.
Lena’s, William St.
Singer Shop, just off William St.
Sligo
Crafter’s Basket, Cliffony. Situated 20 minutes north of Sligo town, this shop offers a good selection of yarns and quilting materials, as well as supplies for paper crafting. Check out the website here. Phone the shop at 071 9166515 or email at info@craftersbasket.com.
Online
Lavender Yarns is based in the south of the country and is note-worthy for its stock of books and magazines. To my knowledge, this is the only Irish store that takes orders for Vogue Knitting, Knit.1 and Knit Simple magazines. You need to place your order for the magazines before their release dates, and the magazine is sent on to you when they receive it from Vogue.
Clickety Knits specialises in baby-wear kits. A lovely gift for an expectant mum, if you’re expecting yourself, or if you want to knit for someone else who is expecting! There is an excellent selection of projects over a wide price range.
That is all I can think of for now. If anybody reads this and can think of another good shop to put on the list, please let me know.
Good Morning.
I dont know if you can help me or not, but I will try. My mother in law went to Ireland and brought me back 2 Tivoli knitting patterns which I love. I have been to Tivoli’s web site and there are 5 patterns there which I would like to purchase. I live in Canada. Do you know of anyone around you who would charge the patterns to my credit card and forward them to me?
Thanks so much for your help.
Christine Noble
Comment by Christine Noble — May 1, 2006 @ 1:22 am
http://www.thisisknit.ie
They’re new
Comment by Lisa — May 29, 2006 @ 2:27 pm
Hi,
http://www.yarn.ie have recently introduced the beautiful range of pattern books and yarns from Louisa Harding, which are available for purchase online. I am currently knitting up the wrap featured on the cover of “Beachcomber Bay – Accessories Collection” and it knits up really easily with the pattern being formed by the texture of the wool rather than having to follow a complicated pattern. I will shortly post a picture of the piece, with a list of the materials required.
Marie
Comment by Marie — June 15, 2006 @ 9:49 am
Fabulous there will be knitting at EP, I wish I were going to be there!! Do put up the photos for those living through you ontbhe weekend! Great site,
Cheers! J
Comment by Jennifer — August 31, 2006 @ 1:05 am
I’d like to record that I have been to Springwools, and can thoroughly recommend it! It’s about as out-of-the-way as you can get, and in an unpromising industrial block, but once you get in the selection is spectacular and the pattern section is great. For sheer variety, it’s the best I’ve seen yet in Ireland, although they don’t do all the high-end yarns. We should go sometime!
Comment by glitzfrau — September 25, 2006 @ 10:51 am
Know what you mean! I was in Dublin for about two months and went on a quest for stich keepers – took me two weeks to find a shop that sold them! Anyhow there are two shops left in Belfast that I know of that still sell wool (there used to be loads when I was a kid but they’re all gone now). One is Simpsons in town out behind Marks and Spencers, which also sells embroidery and sewing stuff. The other I know of is Jean’s on the Cregagh road they have a website http://www.jeanswoolshop.co.uk/
Comment by Lucy — December 5, 2006 @ 6:02 pm
Hi.
Got my mum coming over next week – an avid, experienced knitter and I cannot find any lovely wool shops to take her to in Northern Ireland – has anyone any suggestions?
Many thanks
Sarah
Comment by sarah boorman — January 24, 2007 @ 10:31 pm
Wahahahaha! Found your blog on lucky chance and love it. Picked up knitting since I left Ireland (my husband’s Irish and I spent a year in Dublin, and we visit for business often). Last time we were in town on business, I spent my rare free time looking for shops, but I didn’t find much because I didn’t have much time to look and no one in in his family had a clue. But now — ah, you’ve given me the gold and in a concentrated dose! I can shop and shop! I’m sure my husband won’t be thanking you, but I do!
THANK YOU!
Mika
P.S. Next time I’m coming over from U.S. (or Japan), I’ll have to make sure I bring you over some nice loot!
Comment by Mika — February 9, 2007 @ 10:50 pm
For anyone looking for a wool shop in the West of Ireland, we stock wool here in our shop in Bridge Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo. I have been selling wool for 18years here in Ballina and am an avid knitter myself. If you are looking for knitting or crocher yarns, patterns accessories or just a bit of advice please do drop into us in Fusion, Bridge St., Ballina, Co. Mayo or we can be contacted by Ph/Fax: 00-353-96-21249 or by E-mail:- fusionballina@eircom.net. We can also mail any yarns etc if you can’t make it to us.
Happy knitting.
Thank you
Sandra Kearney
Comment by Sandra Kearney — March 24, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
With reference to the post about wool shops in Northern Ireland, try the Yarnhouse in Portadown. We stock a wide selection of yarns, including Debbie Bliss, Louisa Harding, Noro, Rowan, RYC, Wendy, Patons, Elle, and Opal. We also offer a handknit to order service and will gladly post orders to you. You will find us at:
28 Church Street
Portadown
Co Armagh
BT62 3LQ
Telephone: 028 3839 3337
Email: info@yarnhouse.co.uk
Kind Regards
Arlene
Comment by Arlene — April 25, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
I am really surprised at the lack of wool shops in Ireland. Having come over from the UK last year and needing wool, the only place I could find was a small shop in Longford Town which had a very limited selection! However we have now moved from Longford to Mayo and I will definitely be paying a visit to the shop in Ballina.
Comment by Kay Wyatt — May 9, 2007 @ 6:43 pm
I am really surprised at the lack of wool shops in Ireland. Having come over from the UK last year and needing wool, the only place I could find was a small shop in Longford Town which had a very limited selection! However we have now moved from Longford to Mayo and I will definitely be paying a visit to the shop in Ballina.
Kay Wyatt
Comment by Kay Wyatt — May 9, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
Hi, there is a good woolshop in Ennis, Feirin, Parnell St.
good selection of wool, patterns, needles, kits.
Also Hickeys, Cruises St. Limerick
Lenas, William St.Limerick
Singer Shop, just off William St.
As you can see I like to sample.Mary
Comment by Mary Cosgrove — May 25, 2007 @ 8:13 am
The Wool Shop in Bray Main Street has a wonderful selection of wools, patterns, buttons etc..
Comment by Terrie — June 9, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
Where can I purchase a magnetic pattern board holder, please let me know.
Comment by vonnie roche — June 13, 2007 @ 8:58 pm
For any Northsiders, there is a wool shop in Edenmore Shopping Centre Dublin 5. By the way “where is Springwools”.
Comment by vonnie roche — June 13, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
Found my magnetic pattern board,at Inspiring Ideas Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. a must for anyone using a knitting pattern.
Comment by vonnie roche — June 17, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
I’m 24 and have recently taken up knitting and I agree – it’s very difficult to find wool shops in Ireland. I like to cross-stitch too and it’s also difficult to find embroidery supplies. I know of two wool/sewing shops which were thriving businesses when I was a child but have closed down now which is really sad. I am just back from a trip to Scotland and North England and there are much more wool/sewing shops in the UK. Practically every town has one, even the small towns
Comment by Gillian — June 27, 2007 @ 9:13 pm