Tuesday, November 27, 2012

The Quest For Yarn in Saudi Arabia


When my husband suggested a road trip to Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia, the first thing I did was troll the internet looking for places to visit. One of the first things I like to search for in a new country, is where to buy yarn and craft supplies. I was thrilled when I found Al Zamil Stores mentioned on an expat forum. It is a family owned business which has been in operation since 1964. It is 4 floors including fabrics, notions, patterns, needle craft accessories, scrapbooking supplies, costumes, a custom styrofoam department, and much more! A truly fascinating place to visit!  I love vintage haberdashery items, and I think some things in the store had been in that store for 30 years or more! A great place to treasure hunt! I just wish I had been looking for something in particular. I also wish I had this store in my area. I would be a frequent customer!

 There was one aisle of yarn, mostly from Turkey, in solid colors and a few novelty yarns.


I don't think sewing patterns are purchased very often. It was quite a vintage collection. I  don't think there was a pattern there more current than 1980! They even had them covered with plastic so they don't get dusty.

I found this section so unique. I have never seen such a variety of looms before. They seemed quite popular, too. People were buying them for their children to use in a class.

I love rick rack, and am always on the lookout for unusual types. I haven't ever seen any like this before. It could be stunning on the right project. At this moment, I am really wishing I had bought them both!

This was very unusual knitted jersey yarn from Italy. I woke up in the middle of the night with a vision of crochet motifs made from this. We stopped by on our way out of town, but they had just closed a few minutes before! They close for noon prayer, and don't reopen until 4pm. Unfortunately we couldn't stay longer, to wait for them to reopen! Maybe the yarn will still be there if we make another road trip there... In the future I think I need to schedule two visits to places like this, when we are on a trip. One to get the feel of the place and take it all in, and a second after I have had a chance to think about all of the possible uses for what I have seen. A lesson learned!

28 comments:

  1. I can send you some of the jersey yarns: http://www.yarnstore.eu/lv/products/polo_lanasstop/ They are available in LV. :)

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    1. That is so sweet of you, Linda! Have you ever tried crocheting with this type of yarn? I am wondering what they results would be like.

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    2. I love crochet too much but i cant buy things of crochet

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Stacey, It is a really interesting shop:-)

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  3. Yes, I have tried it. It is very drapey - will be a good fit for slouchy looking things. I'm still thinking of a perfect project for it.

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  4. I would love to see what you do with it, Linda!

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  5. Oh I definitely know what a mission it can be to find a yarn store in Saudi. There are two decent ones in the whole of Jeddah. I'm lucky to live close to a basic stationery store that sometimes has some really nice yarn too! But when I'm desperate for a particular type of yarn, like that jersey one, NOWHERE to be seen! Oh well. We make the most of what we have! By the way, that jersey will give you a lovely stretch. I've used something similar to make headbands. Lovely!

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    1. hey i want those yarn stores address man...
      pls send d adress by commenting here

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  6. I may have to plan another trip to Al Khobar, Fruitful Fusion! We do have some nice yarn in Kuwait if you ever visit:-)

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  7. Hello Anonymous,

    If you are driving on the Corniche, and the sea is on your left, you turn right just before Al Arabi Bank. The store is about a block down on the right.

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  8. Thank u so much for the info i was searching for some good yarn in jubail but couldn find ne shop that sells.. Wil b drivin to khobar this weekend..

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  9. Are they selling embroidery threads such as anchor and DMC?

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  10. Hello Anonymous, I didn't look closely at the embroidery threads, but I think there is a good chance they have DMC.

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  11. Are they selling crochet needles of different sizes?

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  12. Hello Anonymous, I assume they do. I only went to the store once, 2 years ago, and I wasn't looking for those when I went. Since they sell yarn, they probably do.

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  13. Hello Shelby how are you ? Do u live in Al-Khobar ? I want to learn crochet work. Do you give classes ? Tia

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    1. I want to learn too ....If u find any classes can u reply me here? Please?

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    3. U can learn it online for free or from YouTube. I learned from YouTube.

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  14. Hello Tia, I live in Kuwait. I was visiting Al-Khobar when I went to this shop. I don't actually give classes, but there are many in Kuwait. I am afraid I don't know of any in your area. Crocheters are everywhere though. Don't give up, there must be classes somewhere. Perhaps they would know of some at the Al Zamil Store.

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  15. Hello Shelby,

    Have you worked with Suede leather (American Indian Moccasins)? I am in search of raw material to make a costume to match my moccasins:) Cam from US & Australia

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  16. Hi,

    I have only worked with leather that I bought in America from Tandy Leather in Eugene, Oregon. :-)

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  17. Wow! Thank you for sharing this place! It's awesome!
    instagram

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  18. Thank you Marie! I hope you have a wonderful 2021 as well!
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