One little shop sells yarn spun from yak fiber, and it sits just steps from a busy farmers market. That alone made me curious.
Then I learned it also stocks fiber for spinning your own yarn at home.
The shelves hold everything from whisper-thin lace weight to super bulky skeins. Cashmere, alpaca, silk, mohair, and linen all share the same space.
I like how the yarn is sorted by weight, which makes browsing feel less like a puzzle.
This Michigan spot also hosts free drop-in crafting sessions most days of the week. Anyone can show up with a project and find a seat.
A monthly spin-in even welcomes people who bring their own spinning wheels.
I believe the best shops make you forget the clock. So how many skeins would you leave with?
Your Quick Yarn Run Is About To Become A Whole Afternoon
Spun opened in 2015, and it has been tempting crafters ever since. The family-owned shop sits on the first floor of Kerrytown Markets and Shops in Ann Arbor.
It’s the kind of place where one skein somehow turns into four.
Owners Carol and Pete Sickman-Garner started the shop with a clear idea in mind. They believe handwork builds community and gives people a way to slow down.
That mission shows up in nearly everything the shop does.
Spun aims to be a true home base for knitters and crocheters around Ann Arbor. It welcomes total beginners and seasoned makers alike.
Nobody needs a fancy project or perfect stitches to feel like they belong here.
The shop covers far more than knitting needles, too. You’ll find supplies for crochet, needlework, felting, weaving, and spinning.
That range makes it a fun stop even if you’re just curious about trying something new.
So plan accordingly before you visit this Michigan shop. Give yourself extra time, and maybe a little budget wiggle room.
Your errand list can wait, because the yarn won’t browse itself.
Finally, A Shop That Sorts Yarn The Way Your Brain Works
Lace, fingering, sport, DK, worsted, aran, chunky, bulky, and super bulky. That’s the full lineup of yarn weights waiting on the shelves at Spun.
It’s basically a ladder from delicate shawl yarn to cozy blanket yarn.
Why does weight matter so much? Patterns usually call for a specific thickness, and swapping it can change your whole project.
A sweater meant for DK yarn will look very different in super bulky.
Spun arranges its yarn by weight, which makes shopping much easier. You can head straight to the section your pattern needs.
Then the fun part begins, which is picking colors and fibers.
Here’s a practical tip for your trip. Bring your pattern, or at least a photo of it, on your phone.
Knowing the weight and yardage will save you from guessing in the aisle.
Beginners often find worsted weight the easiest to start with. It’s thick enough to see your stitches clearly and quick to work up.
Thinner yarns are lovely too, but they ask for a little more patience.
Yak, Cashmere, And Silk Are All Waiting To Be Squished
Merino gets plenty of love, but this shop goes much further. Spun stocks wool, alpaca, cashmere, mohair, silk, yak, cotton, linen, and acrylic.
Most of those come in blends, too, which opens up even more choices.
Each fiber has its own personality. Alpaca feels soft and warm, while linen brings a crisp, breezy drape for summer pieces.
Mohair adds a fuzzy halo that makes simple stitches look dreamy.
Cotton and acrylic deserve credit as well. They’re often easy to wash, which matters for baby gifts and everyday dishcloths.
Not every project needs to be a precious heirloom.
The brand list reads like a crafter’s wish list. Look for names like Malabrigo, Blue Sky Fibers, Cascade Yarns, Kelbourne Woolens, Emma’s Yarn, and Acorn and Oak Fibers.
That’s a lot of temptation for one room.
A smart move is to touch before you commit. Feel how a yarn behaves in your hands and against your wrist.
Your future scarf will thank you for the extra minute of squishing.
Never Picked Up A Hook? Classes Have You Covered
Learning from a video works until your stitches start mysteriously multiplying. That’s when a real teacher becomes priceless.
Spun offers classes and private lessons in knitting, crochet, and spinning.
The class lineup is sorted into four helpful groups. Beginner Classes start from scratch, and Next Steps builds on the basics.
Projects focus on finishing a specific piece, while Skill Builders target particular techniques.
That structure makes it easy to find your level. A brand-new crocheter won’t feel lost in an advanced group.
An experienced knitter can sharpen one tricky skill without sitting through the fundamentals again.
Private lessons are another option for anyone who learns best one-on-one. They’re handy if your schedule is tricky or your question is very specific.
Sometimes you just need help with one stubborn technique.
The owners have stressed keeping their workshops affordable. That fits their belief that crafting is for everyone, not just experts.
Check the class calendar before your visit, since spots in small classes can fill up.
Pull Up A Chair, Because Drop-Ins Are Free
Free is a lovely word, especially in a yarn shop. Spun hosts Open Drop-Ins from Sunday through Thursday.
Bring your knitting, crochet, weaving, or embroidery project and find a spot.
These sessions are low pressure by design. Nobody grades your stitches or checks your progress.
You simply sit, work, and enjoy being around other people who love making things.
Crafting alone at home can feel a bit quiet. A drop-in turns that solo hobby into something social.
It’s also a great way to meet fellow makers if you’re new to Ann Arbor.
The shop also runs Ask-a-Knitter sessions for those puzzling moments. Maybe a pattern abbreviation has you stumped.
Maybe your cable twisted the wrong way three rows back.
Having an expert nearby can save a project from the dreaded frog pile. That’s crafter slang for ripping everything out, by the way.
Check the schedule ahead of time so you know which sessions match your plans.
Spinning Wheels Get Their Own Monthly Party
Most yarn shops sell yarn. Spun also helps you make it yourself, starting from raw fluffy fiber.
The name suddenly makes a lot of sense.
On the first Sunday of every month, the shop holds a Community Spin-In. Participants bring their own wheels or spindles, plus their own fiber.
Then everyone spins together in one friendly space.
Spinning can look intimidating from the outside. All those pedals and twisting strands seem like a magic trick.
Watching others and swapping tips can make it feel far more doable.
Curious beginners have a path, too. Spun’s class lineup includes spinning, so you can learn the basics first.
A simple drop spindle is often a budget-friendly way to test the waters.
The shop stocks spinning fiber alongside its finished yarns. That means you can pick up supplies for your next batch on the same visit.
Handspun yarn has a charm that store-bought skeins can’t quite copy.
Remember, the spin-in is a bring-your-own-gear event. Pack your wheel and fiber before heading out.
The Project Of The Week Is A Pattern With Perks
Stuck on what to make next? Spun solves that problem with a regular Project of the Week.
Buy the yarn needed for the featured project, and the shop provides the pattern.
It’s a clever little deal for indecisive crafters. Choosing a pattern can eat up an entire evening of scrolling.
This takes the guesswork out and gets you casting on faster.
The feature also nudges you toward new ideas. Maybe you’ve only made scarves for years.
A weekly project might introduce you to socks, hats, or a cozy shawl.
Beyond yarn, the shop carries plenty of supporting supplies. Look for tools and accessories, books and periodicals, and crafting kits.
Kits are great because they bundle everything you need in one go.
Gift cards are also available for the crafters in your life. They’re a safe bet when you can’t guess someone’s favorite color or fiber.
Every knitter already knows exactly what they want, anyway.
Keep an eye on the shop’s updates to catch each new featured project.
Parking, Doors, And Wi-Fi Make Lingering Easy
You’ll find Spun at 410 N 4th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. It sits on the first floor of the Kerrytown Markets and Shops building.
That building stretches between 4th and 5th Avenues, near the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and Kingsley Street.
Getting in is refreshingly flexible. You can enter from 4th Avenue or through doors near the Farmers Market lot.
There’s also an entrance by the back parking lot.
Parking takes a little planning, but you have choices. Two metered lots sit on either side of the building.
Nearby streets offer a mix of metered spots and free two-hour spaces.
The Ann-Ashley parking structure is about two blocks away. Here’s a bonus worth remembering.
Downtown Ann Arbor parking is free on Sundays.
Inside, the shop offers wheelchair access and seating. Free wireless internet is available too, which helps when you’re pulling up a pattern.
Comfortable seats plus Wi-Fi is a dangerous combo for anyone claiming they’ll stay ten minutes.
Time Your Visit Right And Make A Day Of It
Monday through Thursday, Spun stays open from 10 AM to 8 PM. Friday runs from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Saturday opens early at 9 AM and closes at 6 PM, while Sunday runs 10 AM to 5 PM.
Those weeknight hours are a gift for busy schedules. You can stop by after work without rushing.
Saturday’s earlier start pairs nicely with a morning at the neighboring Farmers Market.
Sundays might be the sweet spot for a lazy visit. Parking downtown is free, and drop-ins run that day.
Add the monthly spin-in on first Sundays, and you’ve got a full afternoon planned.
The shop’s heart reaches beyond its walls, too. Its Community Giving program supports local nonprofit organizations.
Shopping here helps more than just your growing yarn stash.
Celebrations happen as well, including book signings and pop-up events. Spun’s 11th Birthday Celebration is planned for December 2026.
That sounds like a fine excuse for another Michigan road trip.
Just don’t promise anyone you’ll be home early. This shop makes that very hard.
