Welcome to the Craft Yarn Council's web site, the yarn industry’s one-stop resource and home of the Craft Yarn Council Certified Instructors Program. Want to learn how to teach knit or crochet to others? Sign up to become a Craft Yarn Council Certified Instructor today!
Learn more about how to become certified to teach knit and crochet here.
People of all ages—more than 50 million—know how to knit, crochet and craft with yarn because its fun, relaxing and you can make great things. Whether you are a beginner or experienced knitter or crocheter, a designer or someone interested in learning more about the industry, you've come to the right place!
If you want to learn to knit or crochet, the Craft Yarn Council wants to help you get started today. On these pages, you will find all the basics. There's an explanation of the differences between knitting and crocheting, Illustrations and instruction about how to make the basic stitches, FAQs, a list of helpful resource materials and tips on reading project patterns.
Once you feel that you are ready to begin a project, we have some pattern suggestions for you as well. As you begin your project, if you have questions, visit 911/FAQs. And consider joining a local knitting and crocheting guild or group that meets up in locations in your community or online and taking a class offered at a local retailer, school or library. In addition, members of the Craft Yarn Council have web sites full of wonderful tips and techniques, videos, free patterns and interesting news. You can find our member companies on our About page.
For teachers, you may be interested in taking the Craft Yarn Council Certified Instructors Program and becoming a CYC Certified Teacher!
If you are a designer or are interested in becoming one, visit the Council's Yarn Standards pages. There are helpful sizing charts, pattern symbols, along with industry guidelines for designers. All enthusiasts also will find references at Yarn Standards to pattern abbreviations, needle and hook sizing and yarn weight standards helpful.
When you are ready to buy yarn, you'll find lots of choices. Check out the yarn departments in retail stores like WalMart and craft chains like Michaels and JoAnn Stores, as well as numerous regional craft chains like A.C. Moore and hundreds of independent yarn stores. There are also many online shops.
Have fun!