We could have pages and pages of discussion about yarn; do you like natural products, or vegan products, or only can afford inexpensive yarn and only shop online due to the demise of actual stores? Do you like to support local independent dyers and fibre artists, or does cheap and cheerful fulfill your crafting desires?
I have noticed of late an interesting thing about yarn companies and their products. The first indication was that Mary Maxim* was carrying a Michael’s product called “Kai” by Loops & Threads. L & T is the Michael’s house brand, so I couldn’t really figure out why Mary Maxim had this in their catalogue.
Then, I watched a post by Elise Rose Crochet where she had ordered a mystery box from Mary Maxim. She received a couple of skeins of Snuggly Wuggly, another Michael’s branded product. There was also a Caron Cake Colorama. Sometimes, Michael’s has exclusive lines of Caron Cakes even though other lines are available elsewhere.
And now, I see Big Twist at Mary Maxim, which was apparently a Joann’s product!
Here are several thoughts about all this: first of all, Mary Maxim is more well known in Canada, and has many cheap and cheerful lines of yarn. They do not carry hand-dyed independent dyers or local yarns, such as Briggs & Little. But they have been around for a long time, and I do order quite frequently from them for my acrylic yarns.
Perhaps now Mary Maxim has become a clearing house for Michael’s? Don’t quote me; this is not official.
I also have knowledge of Michael’s lines of yarns. Most of them are also acrylic, and with a variety of quality. Some are definitely scratchy, but some, like Suggly Wuggly, are just fine for a baby blanket. And now Michael’s has bought some of Joann’s intellectual property rights, so there may be Joann’s lines carried in Michael’s in the future.
Apparently, Big Twist was quite a popular yarn carried by Joann’s, and will become available at Michael’s but is already available through Mary Maxim.
For those of you who liked Big Twist, it is available through Mary Maxim, and perhaps more Joann’s products, as well as Michael’s products, will be sold by Mary Maxim.
Whatever your yarn choice, don’t give up on your favourite brands!
I just discovered Len’s Mills, also in Ontario. They have a wide selection of yarns that are not available through Mary Maxim.
Mary Maxim is based in Paris, Ontario. They sell a variety of products, not just yarn. They sell puzzles, jewelry kits, clothes, household items along with craft supplies.
Blanketed Owl 