Meet the Maker Behind Yarn Buyers Guide
How a Lifelong Love of Yarn Began
My love for yarn started early — around the age of seven — and it was passed down to me by the women in my family.
My mom, my aunts, and both of my grandmothers were passionate crocheters. One aunt patiently taught me how to chain stitch, move into single and double crochet, and eventually follow real patterns. My mom made sure I always had a hook in my hand, patiently reinforcing the chain stitch, single and double crochet, and encouraging me to keep practicing.
On weekends, I would sit beside my paternal grandmother on the couch, yarn between us, learning zigzag stitches and new techniques. My maternal grandmother spent time with us too, showing me how she crocheted quilts, pieced together granny squares, and created beautiful heirloom projects.
By fourth grade, a friend introduced me to knitting during lunch breaks at school. I brought home my first pair of knitting needles and a skein of yarn, learned to cast on, knit, and purl — and never looked back.
Over the years, I’ve explored nearly every way you can work with yarn, even using a knitting machine to make sweaters in a fraction of the time. Through it all, one thing has never changed: I love yarn in every form — its textures, colors, fibers, and the endless possibilities it offers.
Why Yarn Buyers Guide Exists
As much as I love the craft, I often felt frustrated when shopping for yarn.
Which fibers are truly soft?
Which are best for sensitive skin?
Which tools help aching hands?
Which yarns are worth the money?
Which are sustainable?
Which projects will actually work with this fiber?
And when it came to sensory-friendly or arthritis-aware crafting, I couldn’t find one place online that focused on those needs in a thoughtful, practical way.
I have family members who are autistic and have ADHD, and I care deeply about making sure they — and others like them — can enjoy this craft comfortably. I also want to support people whose hands hurt, who live with arthritis, or whose mobility isn’t what it used to be — but who still want to create something beautiful.
That gap is exactly why I created YarnBuyersGuide.com.
Who This Site Is For
Yarn Buyers Guide is for:
• knitters, crocheters, weavers, and fiber artists
• beginners and experienced crafters alike
• sensory-sensitive and neurodivergent creators
• people with arthritis or chronic hand pain
• budget-conscious shoppers
• eco-minded makers
• anyone who simply loves yarn and handmade projects
If you’ve ever stood in a yarn aisle overwhelmed — or worried about wasting money on the wrong skein — you’re in the right place.
What You’ll Find Here
This site is designed to help you at every stage of your making journey:
• yarn and fiber selection
• projects and patterns
• color and design inspiration
• techniques and skill-building
• tools and accessories
• shopping and budgeting tips
• sustainable and DIY approaches
• lifestyle and wellness benefits of crafting
• online communities and pattern sharing
Everything is created with comfort, accessibility, and real-world use in mind.
In addition to being a lifelong fiber enthusiast, I’m also a Registered Nurse. My clinical background gives me a deeper understanding of hand pain, joint strain, and sensory challenges — which is why Yarn Buyers Guide focuses on comfort, ergonomics, and practical tools that support long, enjoyable making sessions.
How I Approach Reviews and Recommendations
I focus on what truly matters when working with yarn:
• how it feels in your hands
• softness and irritation risk
• durability and wear
• ease of use for sore joints
• project compatibility
• price-to-value
• sustainability and sourcing
• real-life crafting comfort
My goal is simple: to help you choose yarn and tools that fit your needs — so you enjoy the process just as much as the finished project.
A Growing Yarn Community
As Yarn Buyers Guide grows, I hope it becomes more than a website.
I’m working toward building community resources, sharing maker stories, highlighting yarn shops and festivals, and creating a welcoming place for people who love knitting, crochet, and fiber arts of all kinds.
This craft is meant to be shared — around couches, kitchen tables, classrooms, and cozy corners — just like it was for me growing up.
Let’s Stay in Touch
If you have questions, suggestions, or yarn topics you’d love to see covered, I’d love to hear from you.
Feel free to reach out through the contact form — and keep an eye on the site as it continues to grow.
I’m so glad you’re here.
— Evelyn
Founder, Yarn Buyers Guide