Yarn for Every Project and Every Knitter
Finding the right yarn can be as enjoyable as the knitting itself. The Orry Mill stocks yarn across all the major weights — from delicate 4ply and laceweight through to chunky and super chunky — covering a wide range of fibres including merino wool, alpaca, cotton, silk blends, and plant-based options. Whether you're casting on your first project or you're a seasoned knitter hunting for something special, our collection is edited to give you quality choices without the overwhelm.
We are an independent Scottish yarn shop with a physical store in Eaglesham and an online shop that ships across the UK and internationally. Every brand we stock is chosen deliberately — for fibre quality, design integrity, and the kinds of projects our customers actually want to make.
The Brands We Stock
Rowan is one of Britain's most established yarn brands, offering a wide range of natural fibres from fine 4ply through to chunky weights. Rowan yarn is particularly well regarded for garment knitting, with a catalogue of classic and contemporary designs to match.
West Yorkshire Spinners is a Yorkshire-based spinning mill producing British wool yarns across a broad weight range. Their yarn is known for excellent value, consistent quality, and a colour palette suited to both everyday knitting and more ambitious projects.
Knitting for Olive is a Danish brand that has built a devoted following for its soft, considered colour palette and natural fibres. Their merino, cotton, and mohair yarns are particularly popular for Scandinavian-inspired knitwear.
Isager is another Danish brand offering premium natural fibre yarns with a distinctive, muted colour range. Isager yarn has a loyal following among knitters who appreciate understated quality and the kind of colour harmony that works well for colourwork and textured knitting.
Noro is a Japanese yarn brand recognised for its bold, long-colour-change variegated yarns, often blending wool, silk, and other fibres for a unique hand feel and striking visual effect.
Our Own Yarn: Orry Yarn
Alongside the brands we stock, we make our own. Orry Yarn is a 100% merino wool DK developed here at The Orry Mill and spun by Laxtons of Yorkshire — one of Britain's most established specialist spinning mills. The 16-colour palette is inspired by Scottish landscapes: granite, heather, moorland, ferns, and sea. Every shade is designed to work harmoniously alongside the others, making Orry Yarn ideal for colourwork, tonal knitting, and building a coordinated stash.
If you're looking for a yarn with a genuine story and traceable British production, it's a natural place to start. Shop Orry Yarn →
Choosing the Right Yarn Weight
Yarn weight is the single most important factor in matching yarn to a pattern. As a quick reference:
Laceweight & 2ply — very fine, for delicate shawls and intricate lace. Typically knits on 2–2.5mm needles.
4ply / Fingering — fine and versatile. Ideal for socks, shawls, lightweight garments, and detailed colourwork. Typically knits on 2.5–3.25mm needles.
DK (Double Knitting) — the most popular weight for a reason. Works across garments, hats, accessories, and home knits. Typically knits on 3.75–4mm needles.
Aran — a chunkier, satisfying knit. Great for jumpers, outerwear, and cosy accessories. Typically knits on 4.5–5mm needles.
Chunky & Super Chunky — fast to knit, great for blankets, scarves, and statement pieces. Typically knits on 6mm+ needles.
Use the filter on this page to narrow by weight, fibre, or brand, or visit our Yarn Weights Guide if you need help deciding.
Natural Fibres vs Synthetic Yarn
Most of the yarn we stock is natural fibre — wool, merino, alpaca, cotton, linen, and silk blends. Natural fibres are breathable, biodegradable, and generally more pleasant to knit with over long periods. They also tend to block better, which is important for garments and lacework.
Some patterns and projects, particularly baby knitting and items that will be washed frequently, benefit from superwash treated or blended yarns that are more resistant to felting. We stock a selection of these too. If you're ever unsure which fibre suits your project, ask us in store or drop us a message.
All Yarns FAQ