I have used a great number of different resources over the years during various crafty projects and activities, and while I try to appease the internet gods and link where appropriate, it doesn’t hurt to have a centralised list for you all to browse
Where possible, the link will take you to the store the item was purchased from or the company website. Where this isn’t possible you have been linked to a reliable source you can purchase from.
This is by no means a definitive list and is somthing which will constantly be updated.
Created: 09/07/2023 | Last Updated: 18/04/2025
Spinning
The newest of the hobbies, having only just begun in April of 2023.
Equipment
Dreaming Robots – Electric Eel Wheel Nano 2 – cannot praise Maurice or this company enough! If you are in the market for an electric wheel you cannot go wrong with an EEW.
Heidi Feathers – Drop Spindel – they also have a range of other spinning and felting supplies
3D Printed Niddy Noddy – honestly, 3D printing really does make getting into this hobby much more affordable and accessible. Especially when starting off, you cannot go wrong with a printed niddy noddy AND they slide apart and pack flat which makes sorting them really easy.
Knit pro yarn winder – honestly wasn’t sure if this should be in spinning or crochet, but as it was bought for spinning, it’s going here. Really useful tool for both hobbies!
Fiber
The Threshing Barn – this uk based fiber store has an online shop if you are not local and carries both Wool and non-woolen fibers (I’m really sad to announce the Threshing barn is closing in mid 2025.)
Adelaide Walker – a UK based Weaving, Spinning, Felting and Dyeing Supplies. they carry a really good range of fiber at very reasnable prices alogn with many spinning supplies.
Blotz – UK Based Natural Dyes, Mordants and Equipment, they are incredibly helpful when you are looking to venture into the world of colouring your fiber.
Hobbycraft – each country will have it’s box chain hobby store, in the UK we have Hobbycraft. It’s craft supplies shift based on what’s trending at what point, but you can usually find something when you need a store to go to.
Information/Resources
Jillian Eve – YouTube channel
Sip n’ Spin – YouTube channel
Kathryn Craftmehappy – YouTube channel
Fiber Love Diary – YouTube channel
Rayne Fiber Arts – YouTube channel
The 10 Acre Woods – YouTube channel
Dreaming Robots – YouTube channel
Gemma B Makes – Youtube channel
Craftmehappy – Blog
The field guide to fleece – book
The art of washing wool, mohair & alpaca – book
Crochet
I learned how to crochet in 2014 at a one off class at Hobbycraft. Once I understood the basics, it was quite easy to self-teach using online and book resources from there.
Equipment
Metal Tunisian Crochet Hooks – my most recent hoock purchase, bought after TL Yarn Crafts did a review on them. They were the right price to give them a go and they have absolutely not dissapointed!
Starter set ergonomic crochet hooks – honestly, these are my go to metal hooks at home and on the move, they come in a convenient little bag and with everything you need to get started, perfect for travelling with. If you are new to the hobby, this set is an absolute no brainer!
Pony crochet hooks – at home I tend to reach for these the most (unless it’s a type of yarn which sticks, then it’s back to my trusty ergonomic metal hooks.) they are ergonomic, hard wearing and for me really comfortable to use. They are more expensive than the starter set listed above but they will not break the bank like say, tulip, and I’ve not had one break on me yet! Bonus is you can walk just to Hobbycraft or a local yarn store in the UK and buy these in person if needed!
Yarn/Wool
Women’s Institute (WI) Yarn – sadly, I think this is exclusively a UK brand, sold through Hobbycraft. However, the WI yarn comes in several different weights and fibres and in a range of bright and bold as well as subtle colours. These yarns are good quality at an affordable price and are my go to for regular yarns which don’t break the bank.
Ricorumi DK 100% cotton – honestly I love this stuff, it’s my go to for baby toys and little toys. Quite a few outlets carry the tiny 25g balls. I find them perfect for taking with me for projects away from home and they come in a range of colours!
Information/Resources
TL Yarncrafts – Youtube
B Hoocked Crochet – Youtube channel
Complicated Knots – Youtube channel
Hooked by Robin – Youtube channel
Skein Spider – Youtube channel
Pixstitch – Twitch channel
Ribblr – User created pattern website & app
Ravelry – User created pattern website
One Dog Woof – Blog, shop and Patterns by ChiWei
Sewing
I was originally taught how to sew when I was really young by my grandmother, and this is a hobby I can picked up and tinkered away with throughout my life.
Equipment
Jenome Sewing Machine – I bought my Jenome Model 423S when i was 18 with some of my inheritence from my gran. She had taught me to cross stitch, sew and knit when I was a child. It felt fitting that my first (and current sewing machine should come from her.) Incidentally, this machine is more than 20 years old has been used to sew no end of garments and costumes and items and still going strong!
Jenome Overlocker – While this isn’t the exact model I have (Again, I purchased mine second hand back in 2012, it was originally bought in 2010 by it’s first owner) this is probably the closest currnet equivilent avalible from Jenome. This machine is also a work horse and has done everything I’ve thrown at it over the years!
Fabric/Findings
(Just to say, most of what you find here will be UK outlets and stores, some are online and may ship internationally, but I thought it would be nice to have some UK representation out there.)
Pound fabrics – uk online store – fabric
1st for Fabrics – uk online and physical store – fabric
Information/Resources
Abby Cox – Youtube – Historical
Bernadette Banner – Youtube – Historical
Cathy Hay – Youtube – Historical
Costuming Drama – Youtube – Historical
Crescent Shay – Youtube – Cosplay and Contempoary
Lady Rebecca Fashions – Youtube – Historical and Cosplay
Linda Piprek – Youtube – Historical
LizCapism – Youtube – Historical
Morgan Donner – Youtube – Historical
The Stitchary – Youtube – Contempoary
Shannon Makes – Youtube – Contempoary
Mood – Website – Free Sewing Patterns
GeekySquidoo 