Must visit visit yarn stores in the Okanagan, British Columbia
Plus other activities to see and do while you’re there!
The Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada is known for its lakes, fruit and wineries, but I recently discovered it’s a bit of a haven for the yarn lovers too!
I visited for a long weekend, flying from Vancouver. Based myself in Kelowna, but hiring a car to travel around more. This blog post will include the yarn stores I got to visit, as well as the ones I didn’t get to (giving me a good excuse to visit agian!) I round up this post with other things to see and do while you’re there.
Yarn stores I visited:
A Twist of Yarn, Vernon
Art of Yarn, Kelowna
I filmed it all for a Youtube video, which you can watch below, or otherwise keep scrolling to read all about them! If you want to see more of the Okanagan, not just yarn stores, you can watch my other video Knit socks with me while I explore the Okanagan, on Youtube.
For a little bit of context before we get into it. We visited the Okanagan on an easter weekend. I had a handful of yarn stores I wanted to check out, but I didn’t do my research and it turned out the many were shut on the Friday and Sunday we were there. so I did only get to visit two in the end. A tip from me, make sure to research opening times as best you can by visiting the yarn store’s website or looking for a current social media post. I was relying on Google maps, and it wasn’t my friend on this occasion! But as I say, all the more reason to go back!
Here are the two yarn stores that I did get to, before we get on to all the others in the area.
A Twist of Yarn, Vernon
In a converted house, at first I had to question that I had the right street as it is fully residential. But trust me you open the door and walk into a very cozy store.
I walked away with a skein on their own yarn <inset name> A fingering weight, sock yarn, in the colourway Industrial. I also treated myself to the cutest, mustard yellow project bag. I couldn’t resist the colour, and it’s the perfect size for smaller projects.
Art of Yarn, Kelowna
Just south of the main centre of Kelowna this yarn store is a bit of a tardis! It’s full to the brim with yarn, both commercially and local independent sellers. I spent a long time browsing the shelves and eventually came away with three skeins of Brooklyn Tweeds’ Peerie yarn.
Knitting in Osoyoos. I also have a full video exploring the Okanagan region.
While you’re here, there are some other blog posts you might be interested in (tip: open in a new tab so you don’t have to scroll back up the page after reading this post)
If you’d like to be the first to know about new blog posts, videos and patterns, subscribe to my newsletter!
Other yarn stores in the region
Kelowna Yarn and Needlecrafts, Kelowna
The Bees Knees Yarn shop, Summerland
The Twisted Pearl Yarn Studio, Armstrong
Homepsun Haven, Armstrong
Okanagan Dye Works, Vernon (by appointment only)
If you arrive to the area by plane, I highly recommend hiring a car so you get to explore more of the area. Not only could does this give you access to more yarn stores, but also wineries and walks around the lakes.
Kelowna is quite walkable, and there is a bus you can get between the two yarn stores in the town, but other than that, a car is required!
And whilst you’re there…..
Here are some other recommendations I have below, based on places that I have been to. If you have visited the Okanagan region, please share your must-visits in the comments below:
Cafes:
Sprout/ Slowside coffee, Kelowna
Pulp Fiction cafe, Kelowna
Bright Jenny Coffee, Kelowna
Triumph Coffee, Vernon
Ratio Coffee, Vernon
Wayne and Freda, Penticton (great sandwiches)
Junction 3 Coffee House, Osoyoos
Restaurants
Casa de Frida, Kelowna
Dawett Fine Indian Cuisine, Kelowna
BNA Brewing, Kelowna
Eatology, Vernon (great for brunch)
Wineries
There are only so many options in the area, I don’t think you can go wrong, but these are ones I have visited:
Frind Estate winery (right on the lake, really great spot!)
Three Sisters Winery
Four Shadows Vineyard
Creek and Gully (cider!)
Other activities
Take a walk along the waterfront promenade in Kelowna for some lake views and great nature
Walk around Kalamalka Lake Provincial park, just south of Vernon
Visit Penticton Farmers market
If you’re interested in other yarn stores across the Canada I recommend my blog post summarising all the yarn stores I visited while driving across Canada!
For packing tips, to make sure you maximise your space, to buy more yarn, check out my blog post- 7 packing essentials for knitters and crocheters.
Please share your Vancouver recommendations in the comments!