There’s something incredibly heartwarming about hearing that a tourist has made their way to our cozy little corner of East Van, seeking out a skein or two of local yarn. Whether they’re squeezing us in between hikes and cruise stopovers or planning their whole itinerary around yarn shopping (you know who you are!), it always humbles us.

Here at BAYS, we believe deeply in the power of community and the importance of supporting local artisans. Each of the yarns represents people, places, and the passion poured into every hand-dyed skein. By choosing these local yarns, you’re not only investing in your craft, you’re also directly supporting Canadian makers and contributing to a sustainable, thriving textile economy.

So if you’re passing through town or even if you’re a local looking to celebrate Canadian, we invite you to fall in love with a skein (or several) from some of Canada’s finest indie dyers. These yarns make the perfect souvenir project.

Bramble Ridge – Mission, BC
Luxurious, earthy, and inspired by the wild landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. These yarns bring a sense of calm elegance to any project. We carry some gorgeous bases like the Bramble Ridge Sock, DK, Suri Alpaca Lace and the new fingering weight in 70% Organic Untreated Wool / 30% Linen. Check out the Meet The Maker blog with Meaghan.

 SweetGeorgia Yarns – Vancouver, BC
Known for bold colour and beautiful bases, SweetGeorgia blends traditional craftsmanship with a modern eye. A local staple for everything from socks to sweaters. We also now carry their lace weight, its 100% mulberry silk and its probably the most luxurious fibre I’ve ever seen.

GN’R Alpaca  – Oliver, BC
Farm processed fleece from start to finish. GN’R Alpaca specialize in..you guessed it handspun alpaca!  Alpaca fleece is lustrous and silky, soft and luxurious, warmer than wool, not prickly, and contains no lanolin, which makes it hypoallergenic. If you’ve never worked with alpaca before, this is a beautiful place to start. (In store only)

Shelterwood Fibre Co. – BC
A small, family run fibre mill located in the North Okanagan region. Shelterwood is both rustic and refined, offering hand-dyed yarns rooted in the textures of BC’s forests and farmlands. We carry four of their offering – a Romney Wool/Alpaca/Rambouillet worsted, a Shropshire x Rambouillet/Shetland /Alpaca light worsted, a Romney/Alpaca/Corriedale /Rambouillet/Sari Silk light worsted and a Sheep Wool/Sari Silk 3 ply worsted.

Hawthorne Farm Lopi Wool – Mayne Island, BC

Made with love from some Icelandic sheep on Mayne Island. For lovers of tradition and warmth, this Icelandic-inspired Lopi is robust and rustic, perfect for sweaters, blankets, and heirloom knits. Check out this blog with Jessandra Phillips of Hawthorne Farm.

Ancient Arts – Calgary, Alberta

Ancient Arts has a knack for creating colourways that are equal parts beautiful and fun (even their names). We carry Little Nettle Soft, a fingering-weight blend of 68% Superwash Merino and 32% Nettle fibre. The nettle adds strength, drape, and a subtle sheen, making it a fantastic choice for some fancy socks and shawls. A great pick if you’re looking to try something beyond a classic merino and your not afraid of a little color. 

Sea to Sky – Vancouver, BC

Michelle’s locally hand-dyed yarns are some of our most fun and vibrant colourways in store. We carry a superwash merino and nylon blend fingering-weight yarn and a Pinch of Mohair thats a 87% Superwash Merino/8% Mohair / 5% Nylon blend worsted/aran weight perfect for winter accessories. These color ways are not for the faint of heart. Their fun, bright and hyper local.

RainCity (Vancouver, BC)

Krista has been working with Baaad Anna’s for over ten years, an amazing local talent we’re proud to support! We carry the fingering-weight sock yarn in, locally hand-dyed in a classic 75/25 superwash merino and nylon blend. RainCityKnits was born out of a love of bright colours – an antidote to the endless grey season that defines the Pacific Northwest (if you know, you know!)

Fireweed Yarns Fibre Co. (Winnipeg, MB)

Beautifully hand-dyed in Manitoba, inspired by Canada’s wild landscapes. They come to visit the shop a few months ago on their honeymoon trip and we picked up some Violet Sock, a classic fingering-weight merino and nylon blend, along with Wood Lily Tweed Sock, which adds subtle flecks for a beautifully rustic finish. If you’re casting on a sweater, Wild Rye DK is a wonderfully versatile choice, while Wood Lily Tweed DK brings the same gorgeous tweed texture.

Maille à Part Yarns – Quebec

Beautifully hand-dyed in Québec, Mailles à Part creates yarns that feel soo luxurious. We carry their Merino Yak Sock, a fingering-weight blend of  Superwash Merino/Yak/ Nylon. We also stock Nuage d’Alpaga, a fluffy Baby Suri Alpaca/Mulberry Silk lace that inspired the POTM Tutka Pullover if you’re looking for inspiration.

Les Garçons – Montreal

This Montréal duo has a talent for creating colours that feel modern and a little sophisticated. We carry several of their gorgeous bases, including Les Garçons Été, stay tuned because we have a POTM coming with this one, British DK and British Sport, both wonderfully versatile options, and Fluff, a soft and dreamy yarn. Whether you’re looking for a sweater staple or something a little more special, Les Garçons always brings the fun.

Judith’s Handspun – Vancouver Island

The most wonderful hand spun skeins and usually hand delivered by Judy herself! If you’re not sure where to start with a handspun check out our blog about it featuring a very beautiful sweater. 

Next time you’re in Vancouver (or looking for a little something to treat yourself from afar), come see what local yarns are waiting to inspire your next project. We’re so glad you found your way to our little fibre-filled corner of the world.