The convenience of ecommerce often leads many consumers to look online for their purchases. Shopping online has its disadvantages, however, especially not being able to see or touch the actual merchandise. When buying yarn online, you should consider how the feel of the yarn is described, whether or not the yarn's color appears accurate, and the yarn's fiber content. Good customer service may also be a consideration when buying yarn online.
When choosing a particular yarn, it is important to consider the use you have planned for it. Most of the time, the feel of the yarn is crucial to your purchase decision. When buying yarn online, you obviously do not have the ability to touch it in order to determine if it will be soft enough for a baby blanket or silky enough for an elegant scarf. Instead, you will have to rely on description. Most websites will have descriptions of the yarn's texture and feel, but customer reviews can be even more useful, as many crafters are able to describe these qualities of yarn in great detail.
Another essential factor in the process of buying yarn online is the color. Make sure that your computer monitor is generally displaying true colors. Shopping on websites that provide more than one photo of each colorway is helpful, so that you can see if the color looks the same from different angles. Many yarn manufacturers provide color swatches; for a nominal price, it's possible to get a card with samples of each color in a certain style of yarn, so you can see exactly what the yarn looks like in real life.
Yarn can be made from a variety of fibers. When buying yarn online, check the fiber content carefully. Many people have allergies — especially to wool — while others just find certain fibers uncomfortable. Blending wool with another fiber, such as silk or cotton, can reduce the itchiness of the yarn. It is also important to determine if the yarn will shrink if washed, especially if you are using it to make clothing. This is another area in which it may help to read customer reviews and descriptions.
Possibly the most important thing to consider when buying yarn online is the customer service. Since you will not be entirely sure of what you're getting until it arrives, it is essential that you research the company's return policy. In addition, customer service representatives may be able to answer your questions via telephone, email, or chat, and help you get the best yarn for your project.