It’s important to support Local Yarn Stores if we want them to stay in business. At the same time, however, there are times when we must make our purchases over the internet. During the Coronavirus pandemic, for example, many of us are sheltering at home, with “non-essential” businesses closed. At times like these, we can be very grateful for those stores that provide us with the yarn we need to stay sane in turbulent times. A shining example of this? Check out the local yarn store with a big online presence: Jimmy Beans Wool.

The store originally started in the tiny town of Truckee, California, under the name of Mountain Arts Collective, run by Laura Zander and her husband Doug. In 2002, the pair moved their operation to Reno, Nevada, changing the name to Jimmy Beans Wool. Since then, the company has grown to include over twenty employees and a brisk business on the Internet. There is also a brick-and-mortar store in Reno, where people can browse and buy in person.

The Jimmy Beans Wool website is extremely organized, with a search engine that makes it easy to find particular yarn brands. Currently, the company carries yarn from over fifty different companies. Basic yarns from Berroco, Cascade, and Brown Sheep are available for workhorse projects, but you will also find the work of smaller businesses such as Sugar Bush, Nanaimo, Manos del Uruguay, and Malabrigo. Looking for hand-dyed and colorway heaven? JBW carries Sweet Georgia, Freia Fine Handknits, Urth Yarns, and Koigu. With a database searchable by price, manufacturer, fiber content, and washing instructions, it’s pretty safe to say that you’ll find something wonderful.

Recently, JBW acquired the Madelinetosh line in addition to the Della Q and Namaste brands of organizers. In addition, the company has patented a selection of circular needles known as “SmartStix,” which double as measuring tapes. Ms. Zander has also published a pattern book, Knit Red, designed around the theme of heart disease awareness. Beyond her work, the store carries patterns and books from nearly every corner of the knitterverse. Need a magazine, or looking to browse recent publications? It’s all here, with the same useful search engine divided up into many categories to make finding the perfect pattern as easy as possible.

My personal recent experience with customer service at Jimmy Beans Wool was exceptional. I was able to order goods, add to the order, and then receive it within a week. While various Coronavirus closures have made it harder for the company to continue its quick turnaround time, it remains committed to getting product out to its customers as fast as possible.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Jimmy Beans Wool or with any of the yarn companies listed above. I have purchased yarn, needles, and patterns with my own funds.