Where can I buy wool online (with confidence) please?

[RedRosie]

As it says in the title ...

Can you tell me where you purchase wool online, Oh Wise And Crafty Women Of Mumsnet?

I am a beginner knitter, knitting a (very simple) baby cardigan for a friend's new little one, and I stupidly didn't buy enough of the wool I need.

Even worse [bublush] I can't remember where I purchased the wool I do have. I went a bit mad when I started knitting and purchased wool all over the place in frenzied random shopping, as it is all so lovely ...

I've tried Amazon and John Lewis online, and the specific wool in the colour I need is not stocked.

Where do you buy yours? I'm not keen on PayPal purchasing, but I will if I have to. I would like tried and tested website recommendations please ...

Thank you.

Thanks EggyB. Another for the list ... I will move towards naice yarn soon when I'm a bit more (or indeed at all) competent

I've cast off for the neck hole and am moving on with the pattern, although its a bit more scary now. I will keep DutchOma's advice in mind ... Keep reading and keep counting.

All

And ask when it does not seem right. When I did that shawl with the 900 stitches I took photos and sent them off to the designer of the shawl in Italy and she sorted me out. Several times. Have you dared look yet?

I've looked ... And its ALL fabulous and awesome for a beginner ...

Which is the project with 900 (nine hundred!) Stitches? Is it Le Bon Mariage? That's just beautiful.

Yes it is. And it is the most beautiful and most difficult thing I have ever done and it took me six months to complete. Did other things in between though, otherwise it would have driven me bonkers.
But the fact that I got so much support from Tiziana and all the other ladies that had done it made it very worthwhile.

I was going to say Black Sheep as well

SoupDreggon- we've probably been rummaging together - I love in there !!!!

I like pack lane wool Lovely shop to visit too! It's an extension to the owners house and a tardis!

Wow, that is an amazing website.

Again. Thank you all. I am loving the websites.

I've uploaded a picture of the part-finished cardigan. It is a real beginner piece but a massive thing for me.

The back, one sleeve, and one side of the front is done ... to do is completing the other sleeve and the other front bit. Also, I have to "pick up and knit" (which I have never done) the button bands and the neck - and sew it up. Gulp.

Www.getknitted.co.uk
Www.bluemoonfiberarts.com

Are my favourites. Have you looked at www.ravelry.com too?

Rosie, it's lovely, don't do yourself down. If you get stuck with the pick up and knit, I'm sure there will be a YouTube tutorial. Well done getting this far

Love the cardigan Rosie. Beautiful.

I'm no expert but even I managed pick up and knit on a cardigan (that DS subsequently refuses to wear grrr).

I found the actual mechanics fairly straightforward. What took the time was ensuring that I picked up the right no. of stitches (as my pattern didn't specify) and that they were evenly spaced out. At the point of picking up it doesn't seem to matter but the end result relies on that IMO.

Can we get some pics of the finished article?

I am a knitting returner and have used knit and sew to buy wool online,however if I were you I would try and find a good local wool shop.My knitting skills and wool buying experience and enjoyment actually have been hugely improved by regular visits to a couple of really good local shops .One in particular runs surgeries for struggling knitters and groups and I am hoping to go on a sock course this summer .

But the best thing is that by the time you add on postage the wool is no more expensive,the owner is always willing to help with substitutions etc and advice and will order wool if she doesn't have it in stock

Thanks Barbara. You are kind ... I'm carrying on today after a busy few days.

Thanks also mrswoodentop. The original enquiry was because I couldn't remember where I had bought the wool I needed. But yes, I need to find a friendly local shop ... There is a big one a drive away, but they are really busy. It should be easy as I'm in central London (SW11).

I truly am loving it all, and the MN support has been lovely. When you have so much work and personal stuff going on in your life, its so unexpectedly nice to have something creative to do at the end of the day which uses a different bit of the brain ... Its certainly surprised DH - hopefully in a good way!