Folklore Yarns posts orders daily from our shop in East Belfast to knitters and crocheters across the UK and Ireland. If your local yarn shop has closed, or you are searching for something more interesting than the acrylic ranges the big warehouses carry, we are a real shop with real people who will help you choose.

Wool is not the same as yarn

Here is a distinction worth knowing. In the trade, "wool" has come to cover everything including acrylics and man made fibres, while "yarn" generally means natural fibre. We sit firmly on the natural side. Merino, alpaca, mohair, silk, cashmere blends, British breeds and genuine Donegal Tweed. If you want acrylic by the kilo, we are honestly not your shop. If you want fibre with character that will wear and age well, you are in the right place.

What makes us different

We are the only stockist of Donegal Tweed on the cone in Northern Ireland, carrying the Traditions Aran range and the Faerie Folk DK mohair tweed. Alongside those sit hand dyed yarns from Irish dyers Irish Artisan Yarn and Dye Candy, our Made in Ireland collection, and trusted ranges from West Yorkshire Spinners, Drops, Scheepjes, John Arbon and Marie Wallin. Come autumn, the Donegal Tweed orders start rolling in for good reason: it is the sweater yarn.

Advice included with every order

Because we teach knitting and crochet classes in the shop every week, questions are what we do all day. Not sure how many balls a pattern needs, or whether a substitute yarn will work at your tension? Message us before you order and we will check it with you. That is the difference between a shop and a warehouse.

How delivery works

Orders are picked and posted from the shop daily, pretty much year round. Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the size and weight of your parcel, and as with anywhere, larger orders spread the postage across more yarn and work out better value per ball. For Ireland in particular, bigger orders make a real difference to the overall cost, so if you are planning a sweater or blanket quantity, contact us for the best current option. Collection in store on Bloomfield Avenue is always free, and Knit and Natter on a Friday is a lovely excuse to pick an order up in person.

Frequently asked questions

Do you post every day? 
Online orders go out five days a week, pretty much year round.

Can I visit the shop?
Please do. We are a yarn and coffee shop in East Belfast, and Knit and Natter runs every Friday.

Can you help me choose yarn for a pattern?
Yes, and we would rather you asked before ordering than guessed. Send us the pattern and we will advise.

How do I get the best shipping price?
Order more at once. Postage is the fixed part, so a bigger parcel means better value on everything in it, and for large orders it is always worth asking us first.