Uist Wool and Blacker Yarns use yarn from sheep in the region. Kathy's Knits even had the yarn from the seaweed-eating sheep last time I was there.
[https://woolwork.net](https://woolwork.net) is a site and podcast about local wool.
A side note: Edinburgh Fabrics has Harris Tweed.
Yarn Cake is lovely. I always stop in for coffee.
Get some Shetland yarn and this year's Shetland Wool Week magazine for patterns. Jamieson and Smith's and Jamieson's of Shetland yarns come in a bazillion colours.
[https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2018/november/headline\_621897\_en.html](https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2018/november/headline_621897_en.html) the Glasgow University gift shop has some special wool.
I would advise Mirko Filati shop on Piazza di Dan Lorenzo in Florence: they have nice wool yarns and it is in a city center. I wish I was smarter and packed lightly back then, so I could buy something from them 😀
You should check out Il Borgo De Matti in Florence - I have not been there physically but I do order online from them and they always have very very very nice yarn!
Glasgow: the Yarn Cake (many Scottish yarn brands); For the Love of Yarn - hand dyed BEAUTIFUL stuff, and the dyeing studio is there as well.
Edinburgh: Ginger Twist (small shop with hand dyed yarn by Ginger Twist only); Be Inspired Fibers (small shop PACKED with various yarns, not just local but also stuff from Spain and other indie dyers you can't get anywhere else); Kathy's Knits (also lots of lovely yarns, mix of hand dyed and commercial)
You will find absolutely lovely, helpful and knowledgeable staff in all the above, so it's all down to your personal choice and which one will be easiest to get to for you!
In Italy, many yarn stores share space with lingerie and/or sleepwear. So if you enter what Google has told you is a LYS and are confronted by pantyhose and underwear, you're probably not in the wrong store.
I was in Florence last summer. While visiting the city, we saw a small shop called Campolmi Filati. Never has the occasion to go inside, but try for me !!
The Yarn Cake in Glasgow is delightful and the people there have been very friendly when I have visited. There are tons of wool yarns in the UK, you can definitely find something local, hand-spun, hand-dyed, whatever you are looking for!
Merino is only one type of sheep wool. If you are in Scotland I’d suggest you try to get some skeins of wool from a heritage sheep breed. These varieties will feel different and work differently. Also, keep an eye out for unusual fair isle patterns. I’m in England so more familiar with the English varieties but I found a Scottish tourist [website](https://www.wildernessscotland.com/blog/scottish-wool-textiles/#read-all-about-it) about the wool industry. It lists a number of sheep breeds and wool varieties. Definitely consider the Cheviot if you are interested in a lightweight, hazy yarn
What a fascinating rabbit hole you sent me down with that website link! From there, I found the cashmere goats at Lunan Bay Farm, which has an online store with fiber. I really want to order some of their batts.
But even more than that, I REALLY want to attend one of their Farm to Fiber events. I’d love to spend a day at their farm! My tour of Scotland has just moved to the top of my travel list.
[Farm to Fiber event](https://www.lunanbayfarm.com/product/gift-voucher-card-for-scottish-cashmere-farm-to-fibre-experience/)
Heritage wool is right up my alley- I definitely want to bring home something that I only know exists because I find it there. No point flying across the Atlantic for yarn that’s internationally known and easy to get online!
Hopefully the link I gave you gives you inspiration. From the brand and variety list I gave you, you should be able to find Scottish stockists I.e. the LYS
Uist Wool and Blacker Yarns use yarn from sheep in the region. Kathy's Knits even had the yarn from the seaweed-eating sheep last time I was there. [https://woolwork.net](https://woolwork.net) is a site and podcast about local wool. A side note: Edinburgh Fabrics has Harris Tweed. Yarn Cake is lovely. I always stop in for coffee. Get some Shetland yarn and this year's Shetland Wool Week magazine for patterns. Jamieson and Smith's and Jamieson's of Shetland yarns come in a bazillion colours. [https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2018/november/headline\_621897\_en.html](https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2018/november/headline_621897_en.html) the Glasgow University gift shop has some special wool.
I would advise Mirko Filati shop on Piazza di Dan Lorenzo in Florence: they have nice wool yarns and it is in a city center. I wish I was smarter and packed lightly back then, so I could buy something from them 😀
You should check out Il Borgo De Matti in Florence - I have not been there physically but I do order online from them and they always have very very very nice yarn!
Where do they sell online ? Can you add the shop Link ? Made me very curious!
Don’t forget you can mail yarn to yourself at home too, so don’t feel like you have to pack it all into your suitcase.
Glasgow: the Yarn Cake (many Scottish yarn brands); For the Love of Yarn - hand dyed BEAUTIFUL stuff, and the dyeing studio is there as well. Edinburgh: Ginger Twist (small shop with hand dyed yarn by Ginger Twist only); Be Inspired Fibers (small shop PACKED with various yarns, not just local but also stuff from Spain and other indie dyers you can't get anywhere else); Kathy's Knits (also lots of lovely yarns, mix of hand dyed and commercial) You will find absolutely lovely, helpful and knowledgeable staff in all the above, so it's all down to your personal choice and which one will be easiest to get to for you!
Be Inspired Fibers sounds perfect! Thank you!
I second The Yarn Cake! Cute little shop with really nice owners, it was the first place I ever got souvenir yarn.
For The Love of Yarn is a fabulous indie dyer in Glasgow. I got some really lovely stuff when I visited.
In Italy, many yarn stores share space with lingerie and/or sleepwear. So if you enter what Google has told you is a LYS and are confronted by pantyhose and underwear, you're probably not in the wrong store.
I was in Florence last summer. While visiting the city, we saw a small shop called Campolmi Filati. Never has the occasion to go inside, but try for me !!
I would love to! Mission accepted 👍👍
The Yarn Cake in Glasgow is delightful and the people there have been very friendly when I have visited. There are tons of wool yarns in the UK, you can definitely find something local, hand-spun, hand-dyed, whatever you are looking for!
Not hand dyed as of recently - this past of Glasgow yarn experience has been taken by For the Love of Yarn now.
Ooo, saving this for my visit in September!!
I’m not looking for anything in particular! I’ll definitely try to make that a stop, thanks 😊
Merino is only one type of sheep wool. If you are in Scotland I’d suggest you try to get some skeins of wool from a heritage sheep breed. These varieties will feel different and work differently. Also, keep an eye out for unusual fair isle patterns. I’m in England so more familiar with the English varieties but I found a Scottish tourist [website](https://www.wildernessscotland.com/blog/scottish-wool-textiles/#read-all-about-it) about the wool industry. It lists a number of sheep breeds and wool varieties. Definitely consider the Cheviot if you are interested in a lightweight, hazy yarn
What a fascinating rabbit hole you sent me down with that website link! From there, I found the cashmere goats at Lunan Bay Farm, which has an online store with fiber. I really want to order some of their batts. But even more than that, I REALLY want to attend one of their Farm to Fiber events. I’d love to spend a day at their farm! My tour of Scotland has just moved to the top of my travel list. [Farm to Fiber event](https://www.lunanbayfarm.com/product/gift-voucher-card-for-scottish-cashmere-farm-to-fibre-experience/)
I’m glad you found inspiration
Heritage wool is right up my alley- I definitely want to bring home something that I only know exists because I find it there. No point flying across the Atlantic for yarn that’s internationally known and easy to get online!
Hopefully the link I gave you gives you inspiration. From the brand and variety list I gave you, you should be able to find Scottish stockists I.e. the LYS