Any place is a great place to crochet. But if you’re going to do some traveling and you love yarn and crochet, then these destinations are even better than the rest.
Los Angeles, California
Southern California has a lot to offer the yarn lover. There are yarn stores located all throughout the city. Center your search in the LA Fashion District, or just enter “yarn store” into your car’s GPS (trust us, you need one in LA!) and run wild!
Once you’ve got your yarn, take your crochet project to the beach to enjoy some of that Southern California sun. Get your inspiration in style from the colorful performance artists at Venice Beach, sit on the pier at Santa Monica Beach, or go south for a quieter beach crochet session at Redondo or Hermosa Beaches.
Some crafty places you’ll want to visit include the Los Angeles Craft and Folk Art Museum and The Institute for Figuring, which is the permanent exhibit by the Wertheim Sisters, who are the original creators of the Hyperbolic Crochet Reef Project.
Time your trip right and you can also go check out the crafty inspiration at the Los Angeles Renegade Craft Fair.
Austin, Texas
This edgy city has embraced both the artistic and social sides of crochet as one of the early hotspots of the yarnbombing movement. Keep your eye out for public displays of crochet art and beautiful patterns during your stay here!
While in Austin, why not get social? Check out the social events hosted by the Knitting and Crochet Meetup Group based in Austin.
Would you rather venture out and explore on your own? There are yarn stores throughout the city but start your search in South Austin for the most options. Although there isn’t a specific craft museum in Austin, some of the museums you might find inspiring here include the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, the Blanton Museum of Art, and the downtown Mexic-Arte Museum (which exhibits the arts and crafts of Mexican and Latino makers).
Twin Cities, Minnesota
Unless you want to find yourself knee-deep in snow, the best time of year to visit Minnesota is in the summer.
As a crocheter, the first place that you’ll want to stop is the inspiring StevenBe yarn store in Minneapolis. There are also more than a dozen other yarn stores in the Twin Cities area so plan to shop during your trip!
The American Craft Council, which is based in Minneapolis, has called the Twin Cities “A Mecca for Craft.” Crocheters who appreciate all of the arts and crafts will want to make this a museum-rich trip, starting with a trip to the Textile Center in Minneapolis, which calls itself “a national center for fiber art.”
Other fascinating museums to add to the itinerary include the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, the Northern Clay Center, and the Goldstein Museum of Design.
Honolulu, Hawaii
A beach vacation in Hawaii is probably the ideal vacation for many people. Base your stay in Honolulu and then visit the other islands as time permits.
We don’t blame you if all you want to do during your stay is enjoy the beautiful beach weather and crochet away by the ocean or poolside. However, if you want to venture out to some crafty-related things in Hawaii The Honolulu Museum of Art is an excellent choice.
You may also want to check in on the blog of The Fuzz to see if this Oahu-based yarnbombing crew is up to anything during your trip.
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Vancouver is a beautiful Canadian city with some of the best weather in the country and summer presents a terrific opportunity to enjoy a trip to this location.
There are more than half a dozen beautiful yarn stores in Vancouver, so that will keep you busy.
Some other crafty things to check out in Vancouver include:
- Book a workshop with Mighty Ugly to explore your own creativity. Mighty Ugly is the creation of crochet author Kim Werker.
- Get inspired at the Museum of Vancouver and the Vancouver Art Gallery. See if there’s a crafty event happening during your trip such as Got Craft?, Maker Faire, or Make It!
- Sometimes there are crochet cruises that leave from Vancouver and go to Alaska, featuring onboard crochet classes.
Geelong, Australia
There’s a National Wool Museum in Australia that’s sure to be interesting and educational for anyone who loves the fiber arts.
Geelong is a port city in Victoria, a short drive from Melbourne. Locals meet at the Geelong West Neighbourhood House, which has classes as well as a Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Project.
Coastal Maine
If you want to spend time on the East Coast, Theresa of Crochet Today recommends the “yarny delights and cozy New England treasures” of coastal Maine, which was profiled in a Crochet Today article by Meganne Fabrega.
Check out Mother of Purl Yarn Shop, where you can buy knitting and crochet kits and supplies and take classes.
ABC Islands
International Business Times recommends Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao as top autumn island destinations in South America that offer warm beaches without hurricanes or tropical storms. Why not crochet on the beach this fall?
Buenos Aires, Argentina
If you’re in love with yarn (and what crocheter isn’t?!) then you will want to add Buenos Aires to your travel bucket list. That’s because this city actually has a yarn district!
That’s right, two full blocks of yarn store upon yarn store where you can wander, meet the local sellers and purchase amazing yarn, much of which is not available in the United States and Europe.
Thanks to the exchange rate, your U.S. money goes a long way so the prices on high-quality yarn will seem really low.
Some tips for Argentinian crochet travel:
- Yarn is sold by weight, not by length, which takes a little getting used to. It might be easier to purchase yarn you like and figure out projects for it after the fact than to figure out the right amount for specific projects that you have in mind.
- Don’t miss the chance to take in the stunning large-scale crochet art of Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto. You can see one of his net sculptures at the Faena Art Center in the Puerto Madero district, an up-and-coming trendy arts area of the city.
Of course, while you’re in Buenos Aires, you’ll also want to see the sights. Check out the Top 10 Things for Creative Travelers to do in Buenos Aires.
Sydney, Australia
Head Down Under to enjoy crochet! Sydney is another terrifically inspiring city filled with beautiful sights, amazing people, and plenty of attractions for yarn lovers. Stacey Trock of Fresh Stitches has a terrific guide to yarn shopping in 4 Sydney districts.
While you’re in Australia, you have to check out The Great Barrier Reef, a famous natural site that helps make us more aware of environmental issues.
What does this have to do with crochet? It’s one of the spots that inspired the aforementioned huge, ongoing Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef project.
Lucca, Italy
Travel to a gorgeous setting and have a truly unique crochet experience at this Tuscan crochet retreat run by Oh So Pretty and Clever.
You’ll stay in a private, rustic Italian farmhouse and enjoy a schedule filled with touring the town of Lucca, cultural experiences in the area, food prepared by a private chef, and of course, tons of time to crochet!
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to book a ticket!
San Francisco, California
San Francisco just might be the only city in the United States where it is far easier to get to an LYS than to find a big box yarn store. There are at least 7 San Francisco yarn stores in or near the city itself and many more in the surrounding Bay Area.
Plus, the city is endlessly inspiring with its beauty, art, culture, and history. Here are a few more things you may want to check out if you take a crochet vacation to San Francisco:
- Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles in Berkeley. Learn all about the history of lace at this museum, which has both a permanent collection and changing exhibits.
- Maker Faire, Renegade Craft Fair, and local crafting events.
Your Home
Take a staycation! Save some money while enjoying a getaway in your own hometown. Make sure to add lots of relaxing crochet to your itinerary!