Local yarn (wool)? Toronto or the south?

[-zoma-]

Last year I purchased ten skeins of local, unprocessed yarn from the farmers market (from the guy who sells lamb chops) and I just now used it all up.... and I want more. It was a little rough, but I love the smell of the lanolin and it made fabulously warm slippers. And, it was only $4 a skein.

So, what I'm looking for is somewhere to buy more local, unprocessed and preferably cheap wool. I don't mind driving out to a farm or something - it'd make for a nice day trip.

I thought maybe St. Jacobs - but I don't want to waste a trip if I don't find what I'm looking for... any advice?

thanks!

[sum1smuma]

I have been wondering about this too. I am interested in trying felting but cannot even find a felting needle. Great question and I hope someone has the answer. But while reading this I just thought of an artist friend who may know something...I will ask and let you know. Or there is a little yarn shop where I live..hmm.

[Onyxnox]

I have been wondering about this too. I am interested in trying felting but cannot even find a felting needle. Great question and I hope someone has the answer. But while reading this I just thought of an artist friend who may know something...I will ask and let you know. Or there is a little yarn shop where I live..hmm.

Romni Wool on Queen West (Palmerston and Queen), at the check out they carry felting needles (I think they have a 10 pack for about $10, unless they raised the price), and in the basement they carry wool fibres.  There are some 1 lb bags of various types and combinations of undyed fibres, there is coloured fibres, and smaller sample packs of coloured fibres.  They also carry the various items you need for spinning your own wool.

Otherwise, try contacting the various knitting/needlecraft guilds in Toronto and the surrounding region, perhaps they have more information or can direct you.  Or if you get others to lend a voice to a need, act as a resource for getting a supplier?

Here is one for Toronto
http://www.downtownknitcollective.ca/

[zoby]

I don't knit/crochet myself so I have no idea what is processed/unprocessed. The only local yarn I know of offhand is http://www.alpacaeugenix.com/. Their contact info and I assume their retail business is in TO, and their alpacas live on a farm in Terra Cotta/ Cheltenham (small towns confuse me DX) which appears to be just outside Brampton.

[sum1smuma]

So I asked at the amazing yarn shop in Newmarket...Unwind. ... on Main street... and the super nice lady that owns it said she sometimes carries roving and that Gemini fibres is a great resource for this. They are located in Mount Albert which is about a half hour north of the 401.
If you are looking for natural yarns outside of the city Unwind has a great selection wool both processed and unprocessed, bamboo,etc..and patterns too. Classes are also offered and the shop is super cozy and they are always helpful.

[dcmackinlay]

I second the Romni Wool recommendation.
http://www.romniwools.com/
Queen West, just west of Bathurst.

There, I found the needle-felting basics, either on their counter or the wall behind it. Wool roving in the basement. The staff I've talked to there was knowledgeable and... FAIRLY patient... with helping out a felting newbie just getting started.

Prices must've gone up, though, since Onyxnox was there. The 10-pack of needles that I bought from them was $16. The roving was also $16 per 1/2 lb. I think the undyed roving was less, but I've apparently lost the tag from its bag.

Anyway, when I need more, I'll go back again.