london yarn shop guide - vlog and haul - The Woolly Worker Knitting Podcast

Hello, I'm Vanissia, welcome to this special episode of The Woolly Worker Knitting Podcast where I talk you through my recent trip to 5 London yarn shops and my impressions of them! This podcast is a place for me to chat away about my knitting, plans for the future, yarn acquisitions, etc. I keep a very detailed description box, but if you have any questions, drop me a message :)
Where can you find me?
Contact: [e-mail]
Instagram: / thewoollyworker
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/people/TheWoo...
Etsy: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheWooll...
Kofi: ko-fi.com/thewoollyworker
If you are interested in supporting the channel, for just the price of a cup of coffee, you can do so with this link. Any proceeds will go towards the channel to bring you good quality yarny content! Thank you ♥
Or if you'd like to gift me a pattern directly, here's my ravelry wishlist: www.ravelry.com/bundles/thewo...
Ravelry Group: www.ravelry.com/groups/the-wo...
- Timestamps -
0:00 Intro
2:09 Context
4:05 First: Beautiful Knitters
7:30 Second: My Ivory Room
15:05 Third: Loop
22:01 Fourth: Wild and Woolly
30:02 Fifth: Knit with Attitude
32:12 Final Thoughts
- MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO -
If I've forgotten anything or you'd like more information, feel free to send me a message or leave a comment.
🧶 Beautiful Knitters: beautifulknitters.co.uk/
🧶 My Ivory Room: myivoryroom.co.uk/
🧶 Loop: loopknitting.com/
🧶 Wild and Woolly: www.wildandwoollyshop.co.uk/
🧶 Knit with Attitude: knitwithattitude.com/
- Other Things Mentioned -
- My Measurements -
To give an idea of how garments fit on me and what ease I wear them with, here are my measurements:
- 88cm / 34" bust
- 160cm / 5'3" tall
Music: Canals and Sunshine by Joakim Karud / @joakimkarud

[@mbshaddix]

Thank you for letting us travel with you! And I laughed out loud at “or maybe I misread that social cue.” 😂🎉

[@thewoollyworker]

hahaha, yes as i was saying it out loud i realised maybe i misread that completely aha

[@megegert861]

You did a fabulous job with your presentation. I have never seen you before but I watched your whole presentation and will again. Thank you. I would love to see your shops and re feel your experience

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you so much, that's so kind ! will do another one of these videos this year for sure !

[@sandramagar1565]

Loved your yarn store travels in London... enjoyed the simple approach you used to present the footage... I always enjoy your episodes because they are full of information and lovely observations :)

[@thewoollyworker]

Thanks so much for the feedback ! I really strive to be informative so that's appreciated :D

[@jandkcon]

I knit the Truuduse Socks by Alex Byrd with John Arbon Exmoor sock in Mizzle. This color has the most delicious woolly smell, and I find JA Exmoor to be the warmest and best wearing sock yarn I’ve used. Your London yarn tour has me so envious but then again I’m home knitting while you are shopping!😅 I’m finally binding off my second Slightly Sassy V in KFO cotton/merino while planning my next project! Cheers 🎉 Love your esthetic ❤

[@shortcake180]

Thanks for the video. I live in London and have only been to one of these on your list. Honestly, I'm surprised at how few yarn shops there are in a city this big.

[@thewoollyworker]

You’re welcome 😊

[@sylviemimichevol3567]

Brilliant! Thanks so much for taking us with you. Now I need to plan my own yarn pilgrimage!

[@thewoollyworker]

You're welcome ! And yes, they were all worth the trip !!

[@terriotto7818]

Thank you for this video...love your input on the shops, and all of the helpful info. Perfect for us overseas visitors!

[@thewoollyworker]

You are welcome ! I would find that super helpful for countries I'd visit !

[@nancyhorne-clare2945]

Vanissia, the blues you have shown will look lovely on you they will really accent your eyes. Your work is lovely. Thank you for taking us along on your yarn trip.

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much! I always gravitate towards blue so i knew it'd be a safe bet for this purchase. Glad you enjoyed !

[@judithburke3637]

So interesting thankyou I can imagine being overwhelmed in loop,too much goodness in one place

[@thewoollyworker]

exactly!

[@carolynbulson2081]

This was great! I’ve always wanted to go on a London yarn crawl. You provided some great recommendations and advice. Thank you!

[@thewoollyworker]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy!

[@elisaknittingstories]

I loved this video and now I'm definitely craving a knitting pilgrimage to London. Thank you for the beautiful suggestions you gave us! 💕

[@thewoollyworker]

thank you elisa, glad you liked it !

[@cherieredelings5714]

Love your informative videos - just my style! I'll probably never visit a London yarn shop so it was fun to do it virtually!

[@thewoollyworker]

Aww yes, maybe i should start watching other countries' yarn shops guide !

[@manon_knitting]

such a lovely travel vlog ! for me it was perfect !

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much for saying Manon !

[@dianecloutier5533]

Look’s like a wonderfull yarny trip!❤️

[@thewoollyworker]

It was a really nice trip!! A little overwhelming so not an every day experience for sure !

[@theyarngoeson]

This is such a great vlog! I love hearing your recap on everything and the video snippets are wonderful! ❤😊

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much!! That's great feedback. I cannot emphasise enough how I overthink how to build these vlogs aha !

[@lemenyh]

Haha, as an autistic this is the story of my life 😅 have kind a learned to live with but some times it does get to me though

[@scanzaroli]

Than you, this was great. I just moved to the area and have only visited Loops. I can't wait to try some of the others on you list. Lovely podcast.

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh amazing ! Have fun on your adventure ! I wish I lived closer and could go more often :P

[@sylviafikiert4825]

Thank you for this lovely vlog 😊 I have been to London 8 years ago but was not into knitting back then but seeing your vlog gives me ideas for next visit!

[@thewoollyworker]

You’re welcome 😊 Enjoy !

[@frizfriz]

This is a very enjoyable video! Thank you so much for doing this.

[@thewoollyworker]

Glad you enjoyed it! Comments like this make it so worth it !

[@KariEngblom-Youkey]

This was a really fun video to watch! Since I will not be traveling to London anytime soon ( I live in PNW of US ) I felt like I got a virtual yarn shopping trip this morning❤. Thank you for sharing! I always enjoy your thoughtful style and input. Was so happy to see this post on my feed today. Inspired me to do a Seattle or Vancouver yarn hop vacation!

[@thewoollyworker]

aw thank you! A few of the comments made me want to start watching american yarn shops tours out of curiosity !

[@movingstitches]

Great video! Love to hear your adventures and experience.I went down in June and we only had time to go to Tribe yarns (on their last day!) Beautiful knitters and Loop. We were already exhausted so you must have been knackered at the end of this lovely travel!

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh wow! Wish I was able to see Tribe, but maybe in the future. And yes it was a lot ! Glad I managed not to purchase everywhere :P

[@Neuloulla]

Thank you for this yarn shop tour. I have visited London five years ago and we did visit Loop and bought few skeins with my daughter. We had good service from nice lady at that time. If I have chance to visit London again, your video gave good tips for yarn store tour. Happy knitting! 🧶

[@thewoollyworker]

Wonderful! Glad you got some souvenir yarn there ! Glad i could help for a future trip!

[@sarahedmonds6316]

Your timing for this video is perfect...I am flying into London on Saturday and I definitely won't have time for the full yarn pilgrimage, so this helps narrow down the ones to visit. We are also going to see Hamilton too!

[@thewoollyworker]

Have fun! That is so perfect. Enjoy Hamilton, we had such a good time ! And yes, 5 shops is a lot in 2 days !!

[@tamarafitch7283]

Thanks so much for this! I’m going to London in two weeks and this helps so much of where I want to visit for yarn to bring back to the US with me!

[@thewoollyworker]

Have fun! So great to get souvenir yarns !

[@EricaGeurts]

Loved your London pilgrimage 😂. Informative, as usual, and beautifully filmed ⭐

[@thewoollyworker]

Thanks so much! 😊 Maybe i shouldnt give up on vlogs !

[@KatharinaB23]

Thank you so much for this video! I've been to London in spring and went to some of these, but missed My Ivory Room. Such a stunning yarn shop, definitely want to visit next time. Same with Wild&Wooly, didn't make in in time before they closed for the weekend. But I took the train to Richmond to visit Tribe Yarns, which was stunning and friendly, but they moved to Scotland since. So maybe you get the chance to visit them there now. ^^ I had a really good time at Knit with Attitude thanks to a lovely George who helped me a lot and told about all the different sustainable yarns they have and some of his personal favourites, he was so knowledgeable. Really enjoyed the advice and am very happy with the yarn (Garthenor, Riverknits and John Arbon) I got thanks to him. Feel you 100% on the social cue dilemma 😅 The blue is looking lovely on you! 💙 The Tombo Tee is something on my list as well, Florence is so talented!

[@thewoollyworker]

Thanks for your recommendations too ! So glad you had a great experience there ! Hopefully you get to come back to London one day ! And we'll be tombo twins !

[@moi3chats]

Hi Vanissia! I'm glad you posted a video today. It''s one of the things I look forward to on Mondays ☺️ I was in London this past Spring but I missed Ivy room, Wild &Wooly and Beautiful knitter. I will have to add to my to do list next time when I visit London. I didn't have a good experience at Knitting with Attitude. I had planned on getting some John Arbon's yarn. I was the only customer at the time. I took a skein of yarn to the window to see the color better under natural light, and asked the woman's opinion on what she thinks but she acted indifferent. Well I left the store, feeling bummed. After I went to Loop and did some damage there. You're right, it was overwhelming at Loop. It took a long time to look at everything they have because you have to wait behind so many people

[@thewoollyworker]

Aw, I'm so glad to hear! And thanks for sharing that experience, that's a bummer. One of the best things about a physical shop is being able to see the natural light, get opinions and inspirations in real time ! And yes, definitely need some kind of plan or general idea of what you're looking for otherwise you just get choice paralysis :P

[@bobbijoeisenreich3647]

I love your simplistic approach to videos! In my opinion, no need to add the artsy aesthetics. Thank you for your time!

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much! that's v reassuring to hear !

[@heatherlynnewest]

Oh I miss London! I was there for 2 months last summer and visited Beautiful Knitters, Loop, Wild and Wooly, Tribe Yarn, and the haberdashery in John Lewis. I loved them all. My favorite was maybe Wild and Wooly (but it’s so far!) but all are great and I enjoyed my time there. Thanks for the travel vlog, letting me revisit some of the shops.

[@thewoollyworker]

glad you liked it ! I wish i could have visited Tribe !

[@melhebs1]

Well done, Vanissia!!!

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you :D

[@hebrideanhomeandcroft]

What a useful vlog - thank you. I felt exactly the same as you did in Loop, but I didn't have time to go anywhere else. xx

[@thewoollyworker]

Glad you enjoyed it! And it seems to be a common feeling ! hopefully you get to visit again x

[@suzannebaker5535]

Really enjoyed your video, I live near London and have been to Loop which I agree was a bit overwhelming but wonderful. I bought some Spincycle and some John Arborn which is absolutely gorgeous! I’m going to visit the other shops you went to on my next visits into town. Love your videos.

[@thewoollyworker]

Thanks for sharing! Love john arbon, they are so great to see in person. Hope you enjoy theo ther yarn shops then ♥

[@bigkaffy8495]

Thank you. Very interesting to ‘visit’ yarns shops from another country. 😊

[@thewoollyworker]

You’re welcome 😊 I haven't really watched US videos but maybe i should!

[@jacquelynjones6364]

This is a great video, thanks very much for making it 😊

[@thewoollyworker]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ruthnebauer-fruhwirth4429]

Thank you, so interesting! I live in South West London and have never been to any of these yarn shops. I didn't know about the one in Chiswick which I could probably walk to in about half an hour! I must go one day to squish some yarn, thank you so much for the inspiration. As you said, it's so easy to buy yarn online but sometimes it would be nice to feel the different qualities first. Love watching your podcasts :)

[@thewoollyworker]

You are so welcome! And please do, Valentina was so lovely, and she knows so much about all the yarns, so it's worth the in-person experience !! Even though I'll stock up online at some point. Glad you enjoyed ♥

[@jenniferchoy8302]

Thank you, its inspired me to visit Wild and Wooly !

[@thewoollyworker]

You should! It was such a lovely hour spent there !

[@irityogev2980]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Very helpful and well presented. I have been to Loop and Beautiful Knitters a few times ( I visit my son and his family at least twice a year) and I feel the same as you. But now I’ll have a variety of yarn stores to visit 😂 thanks to you 😄

[@thewoollyworker]

Yay ! They seem to be the popular ones but the other ones were more fun, I found !

[@juliettelimz9965]

Uniqlo all the way!! Glad the recommendation was useful 🥰 I didn’t know about the last two shops so that will be for my next London trip hehe

[@thewoollyworker]

Ahhh you have changed my life! I am literally wearing one of their fleeces right now. And yes, they are so cool !

[@beagare2197]

Thanks so much for this Vanissia. Such a good review of yarn shops I've wanted to visit for a while, next time I'm in London. I managed to get a couple of the Uniqlo thermal tops on-line (been meaning to stock up) so this was a good reminder. One day soon, I'm sure.

[@thewoollyworker]

You are so welcome! And so glad to hear you also love them, i cant see myself wearing something else this winter now !

[@gillshand5820]

Thank you and I loved the squirrel

[@thewoollyworker]

Ahh thanks ! We spotted 7 in that park i forgot to mention aha it was so cute

[@katabatystudio]

Very Nice Episode!!! :D

[@thewoollyworker]

thanks!

[@purenatures4755]

Such a lovely trip and stunning yarn shops ❤❤❤. I’m a yarn squisher too and can’t help myself and rub the yarn on my neck for itch testing.

[@thewoollyworker]

yes, very good point with the sensitive skin ! cant replace that experience

[@SSaffel]

Darn! I was in London in September, and wish that I had seen your video before my trip. I would have prioritized differently. Thanks for sharing.

[@thewoollyworker]

hopefully there will be a next time!

[@kathleentanti4387]

Wooldreamers yarn is fabulous. It’s a heavy DK/worsted. So soft. I also bought some from Wild and Woolly.

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh good to hear ! yes, it was a nice find !

[@cuddlingcuddles]

Great vlog. I like to see the practical aspects of it as it gives a more realistic view of how shops look like and what you can expect, so please don't apologies for not having an 'aesthetically' pleasing travel vlog. I have been to both Loop and Beautiful Knitters. Loop indeed has a lot going on and isn't cheap either. Beautiful Knitters didn't enjoy my experience as it felt like the owner was watching my moves as if I'm going to steal something, so didn't feel the liberty to take my time and look at their wool. And, it is quite a small shop.

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you for the reassurance!! Will keep in mind that i don't need my videos to "look a certain way" as long as the info is there. And that's a shame that was your experience, i see what you mean !

[@curryg1]

Thank you for this. I have only been to Loop (was disappointed) and Wild and Woolly so look forward to more when I go to London next week.

[@thewoollyworker]

Aw sorry to hear that ! And yes, there's a new one that will open soon that I wish I could have seen, Knit with Me !

[@francescaquinn4129]

I have to agree about Loop! My favourite and recommendation to visit is definitely Beautiful knitters, beautiful shop and lovely staff

[@celiaflinn7737]

Fun, fun, fun podcast! Love your touring. I find Woolfolk pills pretty rapidly in a garment. Would be great in a shawl that doesn’t get the wear a jumper gets.

[@thewoollyworker]

Thanks for the tip! I don't wear shawls, so maybe a small scarf? will keep thinking ..

[@ilsewatkins5357]

I use the felting tool to make sure my ends don't poke out after a while. Works great!

[@thewoollyworker]

good idea !

[@annerutherford1187]

I got one of those Flox tools after seeing it on another podcast. It is so useful that I bought another couple!

[@thewoollyworker]

Good to know!

[@RotePunkte]

Great episode, thanks for sharing those detailed infos on all the lovely shops! I'm wondering which yarn you used for the jumper you wear in your video? The colour looks beautiful on you 😍 Looking forward to see more of your content - until then happy knitting 🧶

[@thewoollyworker]

Thank you so much! And I'm wearing my Sweater No 23 by My Favourite Things Knitwear, in Sandnes Garn Double Sunday colour 6580. I love it !! Happy knitting :D

[@gillshand5820]

Very good point re Wi-Fi when you have several maybe projects in mind it good to look them up while there. I think we need another yarn shop in Edinburgh. I love be inspired but I just want to tidy while there and that would be rude. She has amazing yarns and I do love it.😀

[@thewoollyworker]

hahaha, i understand the feeling of just wanting to tidy up! And I'm glad I'm not alone wishing for more public wifi ! Although I understand there's a cost for it of course. But it would make a big difference and motivate me to go in person rather than online !

[@christinegivens9048]

Thank you!

[@thewoollyworker]

You're welcome!

[@helenajeret]

Ahhh, that blue yarn from Gepard😍😍 I am a sucker for shades of blue. So I try not to buy all blue. I visited Snurre in Helsinki in August and my color palette was.... coral😅 I bought Gepard's Wild&Soft in coral, West Yorkshire Spinner's Exquisite Lace in a coral, a Vuonue sock yarn in red, some Ito Kinu in coral and brown... the only odd one out was Lanitium Ez Machina's sock yarn in "Lost and found". And I also touched a bunch of yarn I never touched before because noone sells it in my country.

[@thewoollyworker]

ahaha yes i try not to rely on it too much but it's so reliable ! Love a good red too. And it's so great to touch yarns in person !! Like the wild and soft ♥

[@karenhattiberries9158]

Thanks for taking us round yarn shops in London. Wild and Wooly also a favourite of mine. And likewise not a fan of Loop - in fact I had terrible in store service from them from staff that didn't seem at all bothered about customer service.

[@thewoollyworker]

Oh interesting, thanks for sharing ! That's a shame :(

[@holliegiampietro7030]

❤❤❤

[@sarahashley13]

Its so hard to walk into a yarn store and not know how they are organized! I always say "Tell me about the store layout!" when they greet me and say "can I help you find anything?"

[@thewoollyworker]

that's a great idea !

[@shi1355]

very interesting! thanks

[@thewoollyworker]

My pleasure!

[@ddr5468]

Are there any shops in downtown London near the Chinatown or British library areas?

[@thewoollyworker]

not sure, sorry !

[@marygovert4376]

Do you have any suggestions for yarn shops in Southampton. I will be there for three days and 2 nights before going on a cruise out of Southampton.

[@thewoollyworker]

oh no sorry, not familiar at all with the area !

[@marygovert4376]

Thank you!

[@dianatoderic273]

How long did you stay in London and what hotel did you stay at?

[@thewoollyworker]

think it was just 3 or 4 days, and we stayed in a premier inn hub !

[@lynnthomas7275]

just to let you know, it's pronounced "Chissick". The "W" is silent.

[@thewoollyworker]

Ah thank you!! I knew there was something special about it

[@hollyammari]

I’m headed to London soon and this was very helpful to plan for my trip. Thank you!

[@thewoollyworker]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy your trip, and thank you !