With Joann Gone, 8 Nebraska Craft Stores Still Stock Yarn By The Wall For Winter Knitters

One of the yarn brands knitters across the country reach for is spun out in the Nebraska Panhandle. I love that detail, because it means our state has been quietly feeding sweaters nationwide for years.

That matters more now. Joann closed its remaining stores by May 31, 2025, including the Lincoln and Omaha locations.

Plenty of knitters lost their go-to stop for a fast skein run.

The good news is that independent shops never left. Some sit on small-town main streets.

Others share space with quilting fabric, beadwork, or classes for beginners who barely know a purl from a pearl.

Winter is coming, and cold hands need projects. I can’t think of a better excuse to plan a drive, grab a bag, and see which wall of yarn calls your name first.

So which shop is closest to you?

1. Prairie Hand Knits

Lace weight on one shelf and extra jumbo on another means North Platte knitters can go tiny or chunky in one trip. That range is a big deal in west-central Nebraska, where the next yarn shop isn’t exactly next door.

The shop covers far more than knitting needles and wool. You’ll find beadwork supplies, loom craft, and crochet thread mixed in with the yarn.

Brown Sheep fans get a special treat here. The shop carries a large selection of the Nebraska-made yarn, so you can keep your next sweater close to home.

Brands like Plymouth Yarn and Schoppel-Wolle round out the walls too. Variety is clearly the point, and the colors make choosing just one skein a real test of willpower.

The owner knows her fibers well and helps shoppers sort out projects. That kind of guidance is handy when a pattern starts acting like a riddle.

Plan around the schedule, since the shop closes Sundays and Mondays. Thursday runs a little later, which suits anyone sneaking in after work.

Address: 508 S Dewey St, North Platte, NE 69101

2. Brown Sheep Company

Plenty of yarn shops stock it, but only one spot in Mitchell actually makes it. Brown Sheep Company is a working yarn mill in the Nebraska Panhandle with a retail wool shop on site.

Knitters far beyond the state know the name. Shops across the region fill their walls straight from this spinner, including stores on this very list.

So a stop here feels a little like visiting the source of the river. You’re buying wool from the people who spin it.

The lines run deep, with comprehensive ranges of wool yarns to browse. Sweater makers, sock knitters, and blanket builders should find plenty to think about.

Timing is the main trick. The mill keeps weekday business hours and closes on weekends, so a Saturday road trip won’t work.

Mitchell sits out near Scottsbluff, which makes this a natural add-on to a western Nebraska drive. Pack a project bag with extra room, because restraint gets tough near the source.

Wi-fi is available on site, which helps if you need to pull up a pattern on your phone mid-decision.

Address: 100662 Co Rd 16, Mitchell, NE 69357

3. Country Fabric & Crafts

Head toward the back of this Valentine shop, because that’s where the yarn hides out. Knitting and crochet supplies sit past the fabric, along with a good share of the craft goods.

Country Fabric & Crafts works as a full-service craft stop on North Main Street. Fabric gets top billing, but paints and other craft basics share the space.

The yarn selection holds its own too. For north-central Nebraska crafters, that combo saves a very long drive to a city store.

Repair services are listed among the offerings, a handy bonus in a town this far from a mall. Small-town shops often juggle several jobs, and this one fits that mold.

Valentine already pulls visitors for the Niobrara River and Sandhills scenery. A yarn stop between outdoor plans gives you something to work on during evenings.

Hours run Wednesday through Saturday. Arriving on a Monday or Tuesday will only get you a nice look at a locked door.

Think of it as the general store for makers, where one visit can cover a quilt, a scarf, and a painted sign.

Address: 148 N Main St, Valentine, NE 69201

4. The Plum Nelly

With a name that sounds like a fruit stand, this Hastings shop surprises people by being all about needlework. The Plum Nelly serves crafters who need skeins, notions, and project supplies.

Hastings is the town that gave the world Kool-Aid, so creativity runs in local history. A dedicated craft shop fits right into that story.

The store works as the go-to yarn stop for fiber crafters in the area. When the big chain left the state, places like this became even more valuable.

Staff here have a friendly reputation, which helps when you need a second opinion on color. A good crafting supply mix fills the shelves beyond yarn alone.

One perk stands out for busy schedules. The shop opens Monday through Saturday, giving you six chances a week to restock.

That’s a nice change from shops that close early in the week. Snow day plans can start here without much planning ahead.

Grab extra notions while you’re in, because losing a stitch marker happens to everyone eventually.

Address: 743 W 2nd St, Hastings, NE 68901

5. Quilter’s Cottage

Quilters walk in for batiks, and knitters can walk out with yarn. The Quilter’s Cottage in Kearney blends both worlds under one roof.

Fabric, notions, and patterns lead the way for quilt fans. Yarn joins the mix, along with kits for anyone who likes a project ready to go.

If your household includes one quilter and one knitter, this stop keeps both of you happy. Nobody has to sit in the car.

Practical touches make visits easy. You’ll find a free parking lot, wi-fi, and a gender-neutral restroom.

The shop also describes itself as LGBTQ+ friendly and a safe space for transgender shoppers. Curbside and in-store pickup help when you know exactly what you need.

Kearney sits right along Interstate 80, so travelers crossing the state can swing in. If you grew up near Kearney, you’ve probably passed the Archway on the way.

Doors stay open Monday through Saturday, with a slightly earlier close on Saturday. Batiks and wool in one trip feels like efficient crafting at its finest.

Address: 5915 2nd Ave Suite 9, Kearney, NE 68847

6. Knit Paper Scissors

HusKAL is the kind of event name you can only love in Lincoln. Knit Paper Scissors hosts it alongside Sock Madness, make-alongs, trunk shows, and yarn dyeing events.

The shop opened in 2007 and serves as a Rowan Yarns flagship store. That makes it a serious stop for anyone chasing quality fibers.

Classes are a big part of the picture. You can learn basic or advanced skills, tackle project techniques, or book one-on-one help.

Staff can help with knitting and crochet questions too. Dropped stitches and confusing charts have met their match.

Here’s a perk Lincoln knitters noticed after Joann left. The shop stays open seven days a week, Sunday included.

That makes a weekend yarn emergency much less stressful. Wi-fi is on hand if you need to check a pattern before buying.

Football season and knitting season overlap nicely in Nebraska. A red scarf started here could be ready well before the next big game.

Address: 3520 Village Dr Ste 600, Lincoln, NE 68516

7. IMAGIKNIT YARN SHOP LLC

ManDay Monday might be the best-named meetup in Omaha. ImagiKnit hosts the men’s fiber group on the second Monday of each month.

Works in progress get their own spotlight too. WIP Society sessions bring knitters together with whatever half-finished project they’re carrying around.

The shop carries an extensive selection of quality yarns, including Malabrigo. Browsing can easily turn into an afternoon if you’re not careful.

One helpful touch saves time at home. The staff has wound purchased yarn into balls at no charge, which spares you a tangled evening.

Educational classes round out the offerings. Beginners and experienced knitters can both find ways to build new skills.

Regular retail hours run Tuesday through Saturday. Mondays are closed for shopping, so plan your restock around that.

West Center Road makes it an easy stop for Omaha and suburban crafters alike. With Baker Square’s Joann gone, this shop picks up plenty of the slack.

Address: 12100 W Center Rd #602, Omaha, NE 68144

8. Wooly Mammoth Yarn Shop

A sock yarn named Grape Slushie tells you this Omaha shop has a sense of humor. Wooly Mammoth Yarn Shop hand-dyes some of its own exclusive in-house colorways.

The business started in February 2015 and has since moved to its current spot on South 108th Street. It runs as a full-service yarn store.

Brands on hand include Universal Yarns and Berroco Vintage. The needle selection is wide, so swapping sizes for gauge won’t be a headache.

Project bags are also available. You’ll need somewhere to stash that Grape Slushie, after all.

Social knit times run on Mondays and Saturdays, plus there are classes. Those gatherings give winter knitters a reason to leave the couch.

The owner brings a friendly, helpful approach to the counter. Hand-dyed options make the shop stand out from places that only stock factory colors.

Open Monday through Saturday, it gives Omaha crafters plenty of chances to shop. Bring a list, then ignore it once you spot the hand-dyed shelf.

Address: 5096 S 108th St, Omaha, NE 68137