The Knitting Network is worth shopping at if you want a wide yarn selection, fast dispatch, and free delivery once you spend £35 — and for most knitters and crocheters in the UK, that threshold is easy to hit. The range is genuinely large, the Trustpilot reputation is hard to argue with, and same-day dispatch is a real convenience rather than a marketing promise.
That said, this review is for shoppers who want the full picture before they spend. We have looked at what The Knitting Network actually stocks, how the pricing stacks up, where the experience falls short, and who should look elsewhere. If you are about to open a browser tab and start filling a basket, read this first.
About The Knitting Network
The Knitting Network has built a reputation as the UK's go-to online destination for yarn and fibre crafts, and the numbers back that up — over 50,000 Trustpilot reviews rated Excellent is not a figure you accumulate by accident.
The brand operates entirely online, which keeps overheads lower than a bricks-and-mortar retailer and, in theory, lets them pass savings on through competitive pricing and a broader range than any single high street shop could carry. They stock yarn from leading names across the industry alongside their own lines, and the catalogue runs to more than 10,000 products covering everything from beginner kits to specialist fibres.
In the UK craft retail space, that positions them alongside the likes of Wool Warehouse and LoveCrafts, but The Knitting Network's same-day dispatch cut-off of 4pm and the volume of verified customer reviews give them a distinct edge for shoppers who want reliability alongside choice. They are not a boutique indie dyer — they are a high-volume specialist retailer, and they operate like one.
What The Knitting Network Offers
The Knitting Network's product range covers every stage of a knitting or crochet project, from the yarn itself through to the tools and the pattern to follow.
- Knitting yarn: The core of the catalogue. Wool, acrylic, cotton, alpaca blends, and everything in between, across dozens of brands and a wide spread of weights from lace to super chunky.
- Crochet hooks: Aluminium, bamboo, ergonomic-grip, and sets covering multiple sizes — suitable for beginners buying their first hook and experienced makers replacing a specific size.
- Knitting needles: Straights, circulars, and interchangeable sets. Multiple materials and length options.
- Patterns: Digital and physical patterns for both knitting and crochet, ranging from simple one-evening projects to complex garments.
- Crochet supplies: Stitch markers, row counters, project bags, and notions that round out a project kit.
Pricing starts well below £35 for individual items — a single ball of yarn or a set of hooks — but the free delivery threshold sits at £35, which is where the value proposition clicks into place. Most shoppers building a project stash will clear that easily. For a single impulse purchase, you will either pay for delivery or wait to batch your order.
Featured Product: Knitting Yarn Range
The yarn range is the reason most people find The Knitting Network, and it is the strongest part of what they do.
The selection spans yarn weights from 1-ply lace weight up to arm-knitting-grade super chunky, and the fibre options are broad enough to cover most project needs: pure wool for warmth and stitch definition, acrylic for machine-washable everyday makes, cotton for summer garments and dishcloths, and various blends — wool-acrylic, mohair-silk, alpaca-merino — for projects where you want specific drape or halo.
Brand coverage includes established names that UK knitters and crocheters will recognise, alongside more affordable own-brand or white-label options for shoppers who want to keep costs down on larger projects like blankets or sweaters, where yardage requirements are high.
The practical value is clearest when you are buying for a substantial project. A standard adult sweater in a DK weight might need 800–1,200 metres of yarn. At typical UK craft shop prices, that adds up fast. Having 10,000-plus products in one place means you can compare fibres, weights, and price points without jumping between five different websites — and with same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm, you are not waiting a week to start.
The site's filtering tools let you narrow by weight, fibre, brand, and price, which matters when you are pattern-matching a specific yarn requirement. That said, colour accuracy on screen is never guaranteed — yarn photography varies in quality, and what reads as a warm terracotta on a monitor can arrive closer to orange. That is not unique to The Knitting Network, but it is worth ordering a single ball before committing to a full project quantity if the colour is critical.
For anyone working through a pattern that specifies a particular yarn brand and weight, check the current stock at The Knitting Network before assuming it is out of reach on price — the range is large enough that the specific yarn is often there.
Pros and Cons of The Knitting Network
Pros
- Over 10,000 products in one catalogue. Yarn, needles, hooks, patterns, and notions without switching between retailers.
- Same-day dispatch on orders placed before 4pm. That is a genuine operational commitment, not just a headline — over 50,000 Trustpilot reviews suggest they follow through on it consistently.
- Free Royal Mail delivery on orders over £35. A threshold most project-based orders will clear without trying.
- Broad price range within the yarn catalogue. Budget acrylic for practice swatches and blanket projects sits alongside premium natural fibres, so you are not locked into a single price tier.
- Over 50,000 Excellent Trustpilot reviews. That volume of verified feedback is a meaningful trust signal — not a handful of cherry-picked testimonials.
Cons
- The free delivery threshold means small orders cost extra. If you need one ball of yarn to finish a project, you are either paying for delivery or over-ordering to hit £35. Neither is ideal.
- Colour accuracy can vary. Screen-to-hand colour matching is a known issue across online yarn retail, and The Knitting Network is not immune. Budget for the possibility of a return if you are colour-sensitive.
- No physical stores. If you want to handle a yarn before buying — feel the drape, check the twist, assess the softness — you cannot do that here. Shoppers who rely on touch to choose fibre will find that limiting.
Who Is The Knitting Network For?
The Knitting Network suits knitters and crocheters who already know what they want and need a reliable place to get it quickly. If you are working from a pattern, have a yarn weight and fibre in mind, and want it dispatched the same day, this is a strong option.
It is also well suited to shoppers who buy in volume — people who make blankets, work through multiple projects a year, or buy yarn as gifts. At that level of use, clearing the £35 free delivery threshold is routine, and the breadth of the catalogue means fewer compromises.
It is less well suited to complete beginners who need guidance choosing their first yarn, or to shoppers who want to handle fibre before buying. A local yarn shop or a retailer with a strong beginner advisory service will serve those needs better. Similarly, if you are hunting for small-batch indie-dyed yarns or very niche fibres, a specialist indie dyer or a marketplace like Etsy will have more of what you are after.
For the mainstream UK knitting and crochet market — which is most people reading this — The Knitting Network is a practical, well-reviewed choice.
FAQ
Is The Knitting Network legit?
Yes, The Knitting Network is a legitimate UK online retailer. It has over 50,000 Trustpilot reviews rated Excellent, which is a credible independent indicator of a functioning, reliable business. It is not a marketplace reseller — it is a dedicated specialist retailer operating its own catalogue and dispatch.
How much does The Knitting Network delivery cost?
Delivery is free via Royal Mail on orders over £35. Below that threshold, a delivery charge applies — check the current rate at checkout, as it can vary. For most project orders, hitting £35 is straightforward; for a single ball or small accessory purchase, factor in the delivery cost when comparing prices.
Does The Knitting Network offer same-day dispatch?
Yes — orders placed before 4pm are dispatched the same day. That applies to working days; weekend and bank holiday orders will follow the next working day. Given the volume of Trustpilot feedback the brand carries, this appears to be a consistently delivered commitment rather than a headline that rarely applies.
Can I return yarn to The Knitting Network?
Under UK consumer law (the Consumer Contracts Regulations), you have the right to return most online purchases within 14 days of receipt without needing a reason. Check The Knitting Network's own returns policy for any specific conditions around opened yarn or cut-to-length products, as these can affect standard return eligibility.
Does The Knitting Network stock beginner knitting kits?
Yes — the catalogue includes patterns and supplies suitable for beginners alongside more advanced materials. If you are starting from scratch, look for kits or starter sets that bundle yarn, needles, and a pattern together, as these remove the guesswork around compatibility. Browse the beginner range at The Knitting Network to see what is currently in stock.
Our Verdict
The Knitting Network does the core job well: a large catalogue, fast dispatch, free delivery at a realistic threshold, and a Trustpilot score that suggests the operation holds up in practice. For UK knitters and crocheters who shop online regularly, it is one of the first places worth checking.
The drawbacks are real but narrow. Small orders will attract a delivery charge. You cannot handle yarn before buying. And colour matching from screen to ball is imperfect, as it is everywhere online. None of those are reasons to avoid the site — they are reasons to shop with awareness.
If you make things with yarn and you are not already using them, it is worth a look. If you are a once-a-year buyer picking up a single skein, the delivery economics are less compelling.
Browse the full range at The Knitting Network and see whether your next project's yarn is in stock.
We rate The Knitting Network 4.0 out of 5.