A weaving student opened this shop in 1971 because loom supplies were so hard to find that people had to order them from overseas.
That frustration turned into one of the biggest fiber arts stores in Kansas.
The founder held a degree in textile design and weaving. She made teaching a top priority from day one.
More than 50 years later, that idea still drives the place.
You can learn to knit, crochet, weave, or spin yarn on a wheel here.
The shelves hold over 100 yarn lines, plus looms, spinning wheels, drop spindles, and felting supplies. There’s even a basement with more yarn.
I love that a store started by one stubborn weaver still teaches beginners how to make something real with their hands. So what would you try first?
Spinning Wheels And Drop Spindles Are Not Just For Fairy Tales
Most people only know spinning wheels from old stories about sleeping princesses.
At this shop, you can actually learn to use one. The spinning classes come in clear steps.
Beginning Drop Spindle Spinning is a great place to start. A drop spindle is a simple handheld tool that twists fiber into yarn as it hangs and turns.
Once you’re hooked, Beginning Spinning on a Wheel is next. A wheel lets you work faster and build a steady rhythm with your hands and feet.
Then there’s Intermediate Spinning: Plying Techniques. Plying means twisting two or more strands together.
That’s how spinners make yarn that’s stronger and more balanced.
The store also sells everything spinners need. You’ll find spinning wheels, drop spindles, fibers, books, and DVDs all in one place.
That’s handy, because spinning comes with a learning curve. Your first yarn might look lumpy and wild.
Honestly, that’s part of the charm.
Making your own yarn from a pile of fluffy fiber feels a little like magic. Learning it in person, with someone right beside you, makes the magic much easier to figure out.
A Weaver’s Problem Started It All Back In 1971
Some businesses start with a big plan. Yarn Barn of Kansas started with a shopping headache.
Back in 1971, Susan Bateman had a degree in textile design and weaving from the University of Kansas. She ran into a frustrating problem.
Weaving materials were hard to get in the United States, and many had to be shipped from overseas.
So she opened her own store. That one decision gave Kansas fiber artists a place to find what they needed close to home.
Teaching mattered to her from the very start. She didn’t just want to sell looms and yarn.
She wanted people to know how to use them.
Her husband, Jim Bateman, joined as a partner around 1987. The shop moved through several spots in downtown Lawrence over the years before landing where it is today.
In 2023, the store celebrated 52 years in business. That’s a long run for any shop, let alone one built around a craft many people think of as old-fashioned.
I like that the whole story begins with someone solving her own problem. Plenty of great ideas start exactly that way.
Loom Lovers May Need A Moment To Catch Their Breath
Weaving is the craft that built this store, and it still shows.
A big part of the space is set aside for weaving supplies and equipment.
The loom lineup is serious. Yarn Barn of Kansas carries looms from well-known makers like Ashford, Kromski, Leclerc, Schacht, and Harrisville.
That variety matters when you’re shopping for something this big. Every loom brand has its own feel, size, and style.
Seeing them in one place makes comparing much easier.
You’ll also find the smaller pieces that keep a weaver busy. Shuttles, reeds, tools, kits, and plenty of weaving yarn fill the shelves.
Brand new to weaving? The Beginning Weaving classes cover both rigid heddle and harness weaving.
A rigid heddle loom is simpler and great for first projects like scarves. Harness looms can handle more complex patterns once your skills grow.
My advice is to take a class before buying a loom. You’ll learn which style fits your space, budget, and patience level.
Then you can shop with confidence instead of guessing.
Your First Knit Stitch Is Closer Than You Think
Two needles and a ball of yarn. That’s all it takes to start, but a good teacher makes a huge difference.
The Beginning Knitting class is built for total newcomers. You’ll learn the basics without feeling rushed or lost.
After that, Skill Building and Project Classes help you grow. These give you a real goal to work toward, which keeps practice from feeling like homework.
Crochet fans get attention too. The Beginning/Intermediate Crochet classes work for people who have never held a hook and for those ready to level up.
Want help with something already in progress? Bring Your Own Project classes let you work on your own piece while getting guidance.
Kids aren’t left out either. The shop hosts kids’ classes, so young crafters can start early.
The staff members are knitters, weavers, spinners, and dyers themselves. They know what a dropped stitch feels like at midnight.
Learning online works for some folks. But having a person show you the motion up close often clears things up fast.
A tricky stitch suddenly makes sense.
Felting And Dyeing Fans Get Their Own Corner Of Fun
Felting might be the most satisfying way to turn fluffy wool into something solid.
It’s also surprisingly approachable for beginners. Yarn Barn of Kansas stocks felting supplies right alongside its other fiber goods.
That makes it easy to try something new while you’re already shopping for yarn.
Felting works by tangling wool fibers until they lock together. Some crafters use special needles to shape little figures.
Others use soap and water to create flat pieces.
Dyeing supplies sit in the mix too. Dyeing lets you change the color of yarn or fiber to match exactly what you picture.
That’s a fun next step for spinners. You can dye your own fiber, spin it, and end up with yarn nobody else has.
The shop also features local dyes and Yarn Barn Exclusives. Those add colors and options you won’t spot at a big chain store.
Here’s a smart tip. Ask the staff before starting a dye project.
Different dyes work on different fibers, and getting it right from the start saves a soggy disappointment.
Over 100 Yarn Lines Means Choosing Will Take A While
More than 100 yarn lines line the shelves for knitting and crochet.
That’s enough to make anyone forget what they came in for.
Thankfully, the store keeps things organized by color and type. You can scan for the shade you want or hunt for a certain fiber.
And yes, there’s a basement. It holds even more yarn, which feels like discovering a bonus level in a video game.
Online shoppers can browse yarns by weight or manufacturer. Yarn weight means how thick the strand is, from super fine to bulky.
Patterns, accessories, and equipment round out the selection. You can grab your yarn, needles, and project plan all in one trip.
Here’s my honest advice. Bring your pattern with you, or at least write down the yarn weight and amount you need.
Otherwise, you might leave with gorgeous yarn and no idea what to make. Then again, that’s how some of the best projects begin.
A beautiful skein has a funny way of inspiring a plan all by itself.
Third Thursdays Turn Solo Stitching Into A Social Night
Knitting alone on the couch is nice. Knitting with a group of people who get it is even better.
Once a month, the shop hosts Social Stitch Nights. They happen on the third Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
The idea is simple. You bring whatever you’re working on and stitch in a friendly, social setting.
It doesn’t matter if you knit, crochet, or do something else entirely. The point is to share space with fellow fiber fans.
Nights like this are great for picking up small tricks. Someone nearby may know a better way to fix a mistake or finish an edge.
They’re also a good way to meet people in Lawrence who share your hobby. Crafting can feel lonely, and a group changes that quickly.
New to town? This could be a low-pressure way to make friends.
Shy about joining? Bring an easy project that doesn’t need much focus.
That way you can chat and stitch at the same time without losing your place.
Downtown Lawrence Makes The Trip Even Better
Massachusetts Street is the heart of downtown Lawrence, Kansas.
That’s exactly where you’ll find this fiber lover’s playground. Yarn Barn of Kansas sits at 930 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS 66044.
It’s about one mile from Interstate 70 at Kansas Turnpike exit 204.
The shop is also around 14 blocks from K-10 Highway. That makes it pretty easy to reach from Kansas City, Topeka, and other nearby spots.
Store hours run Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. On Sundays, the doors open from 1 to 4 pm.
Plan around holidays, though. The shop closes December 30 through January 1, plus Easter, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Being downtown is a real bonus. You can turn a yarn run into a whole afternoon of strolling, browsing, and grabbing a bite nearby.
My tip? Give yourself extra time.
Between the looms, the yarn wall, and that basement, a quick stop rarely stays quick. Your schedule may need a little wiggle room.
Living Far Away Won’t Stop You From Shopping Here
Not everyone lives close to Lawrence. Luckily, this store figured that out a long time ago.
Yarn Barn of Kansas specializes in online sales. It ships to customers across the country and even internationally.
That’s a big deal for weavers and spinners in small towns. Looms, cones of yarn, and spinning fiber can be tough to find locally.
Mail order phone lines are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm Central. On Saturdays, they’re open from 9 am to 1 pm.
So if you have a question about a loom or yarn, a real person can help. That beats guessing from a tiny product photo.
The shop also travels. Its team attends fiber conferences across the U.S., bringing a little Kansas fiber spirit to events nationwide.
It’s a fitting twist on the original story. Susan Baitman started the store because supplies were hard to get.
Now the shop sends supplies out to everyone else. I’d call that a pretty satisfying full circle for a business built on loops and threads.