Knitting & Crocheting

We live over an hour from a city that has both stores and don't get there too often. I've been to Michael's several times but only once, I think, to Jo-Ann.

I might get to go Saturday and am thinking of checking Jo-Ann this time for yarn. Does anyone know if one store or the other tends to have better prices and selection? I may not be able to go to both stores so was wondering if one is better than the other?

Seems like when I've been to Michael's they are low stocked on anything that is on sale.

So; where do you prefer to buy your yarn? Is online a better bet, or a local yarn shop? Our closest local shop is about 45 min. away and I have never actually shopped there.

Thanks for any opinions!

Pam

My impression of Michaels is they vary a lot from store to store. They built a new on recently in city I live in now and I really disliked that compared to the one in city I used to live in.  The old store here seemed to be almost 1/2 fake flowers and framing and not much in way of yarns. I think pricewise the yarns seem to be same price, but then I usually get Baby clouds so it may be just that yarn that is always the same.    I seem to recall trying to get the Baby Clouds yarn a couple times at Michaels and found they did not have enough of one color. If I use variegated colors I need 8 skeins of 6 of a solid color. 

Best thing I can suggest is check out both places several times, and if possible maybe around the same time of year so that you know the poor selection i not just based on the time of year.

Is there  a Hobby Lobby in that same town?  Hobby Lobby's prices are comparable to Walmart with a lot larger selection.  I have priced checked at Michael's and JoAnn's but rarely buy.

I've bought yarn off eBay and a few other yarn sights.  If you like Caron yarn they have a website that you can buy yarn through and you can buy one pound mill ends at a good price if you don't need a particular yarn type or color.  I'll post a link for the Caron shopping site later.

I like them both for yarn.  They're about the same.

But overall I prefer Jo-Ann because their fabric department means they have a better selection of buttons, riboon, etc.