It freaks me out that people buy groceries at places like WalMart or Target. :shock: WalMart only very recently entered the NYC-tristate area market (not NYC though, as of troy mentioned.) I’m sure some people do buy groceries there, but most go to grocery stores (Pathmark, Shop Rite, A&P, Stop & Shop, King’s, Food World, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods.) Plus, WalMart is “far” from my house. The two closest ones are both a half hour away. On the other hand, there are 4 or 5 grocery stores within 5 minutes of my house…
As far as yarn goes? I stopped off at the WalMart that is nearish to workbecause I needed Bernat Softee and my Joann’s didn’t carry it. It was dirty, messy, disorganized in general. They didn’t have much in the way of yarn or yarn supplies. The employees were slow, and I don’t blame them–they’re grossly underpaid and treated horribly. (Recently, WalMart set out on a campaign to fire some long-time employees because they were “paid too much.”) And while their business practices are legal, in my opinion, they are unethical.
I think what the employee told you about it being a “sample” was really weird. :shrug:
WalMart has a very limited supple of MOSTLY synthetic yarns (yarns all made from petrochemicals) and a small amount of cotton.
This is true of most chain stores anyway. Michaels and Joanns have a little more wool yarns, but for anything else, you have to go to a regular yarn store or shop online.
the michaels, jo anne’s and ACMoore, here in metro area ([color=blue]a very competive area–there are 20 or so LYS in manhattan, and a 'nother 20 spread out in the other boroughs (or about 40 with in 20 miles!)[/color]
all carry:
Lion wool
paton merino classic
Paton SWS (70% wool)
Lion Brand “landscapes” )50% wool
Paton Decor (30% wool)
Lion Brand Wool Ease (30/25% wool)
ACMoore has a larger selection, (more color of Paton Classic Merino, and more wool blends (the used to carry many KFI yarns, Katia–wool, mohair, cashmere blends,) and they used to carry (and maybe will again) Paton Kroy sock yarn.
Yes, 50% of the yarn is synthetic, and only 10% is 100 natural fiber, but walmart (ok, its been 3 years since i have been in one) used to carry a very limited selection of wool ease (worsted weight only ) and nothing else with natural fiber… or 99% synthetic!
box Stores aren’t a substitute for LYS, but Paton Classic Merino is a good quality wool in a large range of colors (OK, so they don’t carry them all!) and the Box stores sales price was a good by, (right now i have 50% odd(singe purchase) and 40% off coupouns, and this week, while running errands, i will stop in and buy a ball of yarn each time (i make hats and scarves for presents, and a tri color hat and matching scarf are not hurt by mixed dye lots (–but most times, i can find the same dye lot!) and at half price, ($3, not $5.99) paton’s is a cheap as gets! (synthetics can cost more at walmart!)
It all depends on which Walmart you go to. The one I used to frequent before we moved was excellent. It wasn’t my favorite for groceries (a local grocery store was the best) but they had tons of choice in their produce dept and everything always looked fresh. The rest of the store was clean, organized and well-kept.
The Walmart near where we live now sucks. It’s a mess, everything in the wrong places, has a small and sad looking produce section. But the local grocery stores are not much better. Albertson, Safeway both come to mind.
There is a Whole Foods 25 miles away and that’s where we shop now. It’s much more expensive than regular grocery stores/Walmart, but being only 2 of us we can afford it.
As for crafts, the same sad Walmart here has a bigger knitting section that my local Joann’s. So there, can’t really generalize.
I realize you can’t generalize based on stores…my two Joann’s are VERY different.
I think the whole Walmart-grocery shopping thing is a regional/cultural difference. In a lot of places, Walmart’s the only choice. Around here, it’s never really been a choice.
It’s hard for me to wrap my head around a store where you can buy a lawnmower, a tv, books, and groceries.
Well, keep in mind that Walmart is neither a craft nor yarn store. I’m just glad they sell yarn there at all. They’re not going to open an entire LYS when they have so many other departments to care for, and they’re certainly not going to special order “bargain” cashmere and alpaca yarns, thats not Walmarts style.
You could say that Walmart’s lack of power tools is appauling, their lack of mattresses is appauling, Christian books, refridgerators…the list could go on forever.
While Walmart does have a lot of merchandise, they don’t have everything.
As far as groceries-- I have a tiny food lion and a giant walmart. Food lion doesn’t carry everything I need, so I would end up at walmart anyway… it’s just a matter of where you live, I think. If it’s what you’ve got, it’s where you go Luckily, I also have a wonderful LYS for my yarnage needs!
Actually, WalMart does carry a lot of Christian oriented books. The national grocery stores around here have way more food brand selection than WM though. Except maybe for their frozen foods.
As far as them carrying very little natural fibers in yarn, you haven’t been to a Hobby Lobby. Nearly all their yarns are acrylic (though some are very nice) and while they do have some Paton’s, no CM or SWS at all. :pout:
So is my hubby- he had a heck of a time getting used to it… except that we’re in a smallish college town and in the middle of the night, if you’ve got a case of the munchies-- it’s IHOP or Walmart
Well, keep in mind that Walmart is neither a craft nor yarn store. I’m just glad they sell yarn there at all. They’re not going to open an entire LYS when they have so many other departments to care for, and they’re certainly not going to special order “bargain” cashmere and alpaca yarns, thats not Walmarts style.
You could say that Walmart’s lack of power tools is appauling, their lack of mattresses is appauling, Christian books, refridgerators…the list could go on forever.
While Walmart does have a lot of merchandise, they don’t have everything.[/quote]
Nicely summed up by a 16-year-old knitter with two pointy sticks and plenty of attitude .
I am very guilty of shopping for yarn at wal-mart. however the only yarn I do is Caron Simply Soft and Peaches & Cream cotton. Caron is great for making doll cloths and they have a nice color selection. If I want something else I go to Hancock’s or Micheal’s or even better I hit up Knit Picks. But if I order from Knit Pick’s I usually order $45 or more so I get free shipping.
Christine, I also like that I can get Caron’s Simply Soft at Wal-Mart, and it’s cheap. It’s great for baby things when you’re gifting to someone you just know isn’t going to bother with handwashing. Plus, I love the “no dye lot” aspect of it.
I purchase alot of my yarn at Walmart. I have a very tight budget so I take what I can get. Walmart here in Canada isn’t 24 hours either. Atleast not here in Saskatchewan. I think Toronto might. My walmart for the most part only carries Red Heart, Bernat, and Phentex. All of which is Man made stuff. [color=green]I have never knitted with actual Wool before [/color](yes you read correctly I have never knit with wool)and I would love to try and make a felted bag but alas I have no where to get wool from. I do have a Micheals in my city on the other end and it is difficult for me to get to and for the most part they carry acrylics as well. I think there may be a Yarn store in town and when I get myself a job I will check it out, but untill then I will have to stick with my Walmart stuff.
I feel the same as you-- :teehee: i went there to buy some Caron SS a few months ago, and the craft section was actually pretty impressive, they had lots of lionbrand, some bernat, and other yarns i don’t remember, but it was nice for a Walmart.[/quote]
Same here. I found quite a good selection of yarn when completing my last projects. I normally do not buy my yarn at Walmart…preferring to order the good stuff online. But I was desperate, and they didn’t let me down.
Luckily, I also have a wonderful LYS for my yarnage needs!
