r/weaving • u/HotAsAPepper • Jan 06 '26
Help Can you tell me where I can sell hundreds of cones of yarn? (As a lot)
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u/No-Reason6517 Jan 06 '26
To me? Seriously OP, what are you looking to do?
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
Selling it all as a lot would be wonderful. The retirees could use the money and money can use thousands of dollars of yarn at pennies on the dollar.
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u/meowmeowbuttz Jan 06 '26
You might want to reach out to Penland, John C Campbell Folk School, as well as any SC weaving guilds.
https://penland.org/studios/textiles/ https://www.folkschool.org/
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u/amyhobbit Jan 06 '26
Where did it come from? What weight is it? How old is it? What was its intended use? Those are the questions you'll get. You can reach out to a local fiber guild as well.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
I've not found a local to Greenville South Carolina group yet.
This is from my wife's business which is closing after 50 years.
Mostly cotton and wool. Some synthetic.
It's been used in carpet and rug hooking, serging etc.
A lot is similar to this:
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u/Appropriate-Weird492 Jan 06 '26
Piedmont Fiber Guild and Craft are 2 fiber guilds in Charlotte. Triangle Weaving Guild is around Raleigh.
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u/Dry-azalea Jan 06 '26
If you’re in no big rush, there is an Everything Fiber Sale in Asheville, NC every summer. Although it would be a small trip, if you price it fairly, you can easily sell off this fiber.
Otherwise, fiber guilds would be a good resource. There is one here but I’m sure there’s one closer to you. You can definitely find a fair price and a home for this if you are willing to do a little bit more work.
Edit: Also, to add my anecdotal experience, it is a very easygoing sale and everyone is very nice and a joy to spend time talking to throughout the day. A load of locals come to get a good deal, and at the end of the day what doesn’t get sold can be left and donated to habitat for humanity or given away for free. Additionally, the local guilds show up, and I would expect that they could give you additional pointers. Even if you aren’t able to hang onto the fiber for so long, it’s a fun event for anyone to visit.
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u/RedStateBlueHome Jan 06 '26
Wow. That is a lot. I would consider contacting schools that focus on Fiber Arts or one of the universities near you. The donation may likely be as valuable as the time to find buyers.
That said, if you want to sell on line, I would break it down into groups of 10 or so and sell as lots. Good luck!
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u/troublesomefaux Jan 07 '26
If you decide to donate and are willing to drive up by Asheville, Haywood community college has a weaving program.
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u/lankira Jan 06 '26
In addition to the guilds mentioned in Charlotte and Raleigh, these are more local to you, I think.
SC Spinners, Weavers, and Knitters Guild: https://spinweaveknitsc.com/
Fiber Guild of the Savannahs: https://www.fiberguildsav.com/
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u/castlextown Jan 06 '26
I'm actually a part of the CRAFT Charlotte guild, so please let me know if you'd like me to link you with some of our guild leaders!
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 07 '26
I'm down with whatever might help us sell this!
I've been making a list of these great suggestions and appreciate them all!
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u/trinhead Jan 06 '26
Kinda unrelated but could we see some of your wife's work? I love the colors she chooses!
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
I don't have any pictures here, but it's not nearly as exciting as the work I have seen in this subreddit! This has been used in carpet/rug work and mainly has involved cutting a carpet into smaller rugs and runners, then putting on edging, and serging over it.
Before that, they did hooked rugs, but to be honest, man, those are all very dated looking =)
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u/Hot_Combination2596 Jan 06 '26
We have a creative reuse center in Atlanta, Scraplanta, that you could donate some of them to. Perhaps there’s a similar concept in Charlotte.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 07 '26
They first have to try and find a buyer. Every penny counts as they are now retired and nothing else is coming in.
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u/kminola Jan 06 '26
Asheville NC is where a lot of weavers are, near Penland! If you sort it by lots I’m sure there are weavers who’d be interested. I second doing regional Facebook marketplace.
If you’re willing to ship, and the mods are cool with it (I don’t know the rules on this one) you could link to the marketplace posts on here— weavers love to beef up their yarn stash and I’m always looking for cone yarn, but it’s rare up here in Chicago.
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u/lechevalnoir Jan 16 '26
There is a guild in Asheville and you can probably post in their classifieds. https://www.wncfhg.org/ Chances are high someone would be interested and close enough to Greenville. I used to go to Greenville with some regularity to go to Total Wine when I lived in Asheville.
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u/amdaly10 Jan 06 '26
I would see if there is a local weavers guild, weaving store, or dry goods store that would be able to take it.
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u/TeddyBear3799 Jan 06 '26
I don't have advice but if you end up selling somewhere, keep us updated so we can buy, yeah? lol
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u/Sea-Worldliness-9731 Jan 06 '26
I usually buy yarn on cones on Etsy. Do you have a good labelling of all this yarn? I see some of them have stickers inside of cone - usually there are info about yarn there. Also you might need a cone or a ball winder if you want to sell yarn by 50/100gr instead of all cone at a time. You might try to offer in bulk to yarn stores, who sell yarn on cones, then they will sell in small batches and do the winding.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
Many have stickers inside. I've not tried to inventory or index it yet.
I don't even know where to start honestly.
Appreciate your input.
I'm making notes of suggestions!
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u/maryfamilyresearch Jan 06 '26
Ebay and Facebook marketplace are other potential places to list cones.
Group them in lots that a hobbyist might be interested in, say "10kg of blue-green merino yarn, see photos".
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u/CuddlefishFibers Jan 06 '26
i was gonna say "to me" then the pics kept going...and going....holy dang. Was this a shop that went out of business?
Like others have said, I'd look for a local weaver's guild or something. Not many individuals are going to have capacity to even store all that.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
Carpet and rug manufacturer, and used for serging etc.
Family business - Going out of business after 50 years
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u/Crafty_Comb8401 Jan 06 '26
What an incredible collection, what a shame that the business is going out of business :(
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
It really is heartbreaking to me. The business has been in operation by their family for over 50 years.
The parents retired 20 years ago and the 3 sisters have run it and now two of the sisters are 70 and tired.
Tried to sell it, but it's the family named business and hard to sell that without a rebrand and they weren't interested in that.
So it will be sold off in pieces.
The coolest piece is the carpet workroom, one of the only ones in this area.
They did hooked rugs but had stopped that years ago.
Mainly they cut carpet into smaller rugs for homes. Picture stairs, hallways, and more complex shapes etc.
Then they put binding on the edges and serge over that.
Back when it was in style, they did fringed edging too.
They have a huge 24x32 + foot air table that lets one man handle huge rugs. They just float on the table to be run through the medicines.
The guy who does that has been working there 35 years.
It's a wonderful operation.
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u/penchick Jan 06 '26
The air table sounds amazing!!!
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
It's completely mind blowing to me that one person can handle these big rugs.
The air table is truly the magic sauce and it's perfectly tuned to this job. I've read where other people have issues with their different designs. This particular one could not be improved upon.
Wish someone could save it, or save the whole business, but, time is running out for that.
It'll all be left up to big carpet mills and mass-manufactured and imported "junk" once this is gone because very few places remain that are doing custom design work.
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u/HooplahMan Jan 06 '26
If you don't manage to find a buyer for the lot, I'd like to point out that this community has 13.5k weekly visiters and 750 weekly posters. You have a blowout yard sale and advertise here you just might clean house
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
I don't think you can sell in this sub.
But it's just so so much. It's overwhelming!
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Jan 06 '26
If you end up unable to find a place to sell it as a lot, you might be able to find colleges that have a fiber department and donate it to students who will put it to good use!
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u/likkachi Jan 06 '26
while you can't find any weaving specific guilds, i'd personally reach out to SC Knitting Guild and see if they can offer assistance. they likely have members who weave and might be willing to purchase this all
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u/strawberriesandcake Jan 06 '26
Common Thread in Sanford NC is a weaving studio run by volunteers and they take donated yarn.
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u/zebraskein Jan 06 '26
Try reaching out to Berea (they have a weaving program) or John C. Campbell folk art school. Or, I will take it :)
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u/geneaweaver7 Jan 06 '26
Lofty Fiber in Easley and Earth Guild in Asheville are the most local shops.
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u/BurrowingToad Jan 06 '26
There are some Facebook groups specifically for selling weaving yarn and equipment (I dont remember their names, but they should be easily searchable). I've seen people successfully sell lots there. It would be a quick way to see if there is any interest.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
Thank you. I had posted in one but they didn't think this fit because it was just so much. (I got dragged pretty hard)
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u/allthefloof Jan 06 '26
I'm so sorry you got dragged! ❤️
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
Haha it's the Internet... I'm used to it and have done my fair share of bullying newbs in my own groups so, I won't cry (too hard).
I obviously don't know squat about this subject and I'm simply the guy stuck with the job of dealing with it.
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u/PetalSoups Jan 06 '26
If there are any colleges in your area with a textile/fiber arts program they might take it!
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u/existentialfeckery Jan 06 '26
Email the closest fiber arts guild to your area, and I'm sure they will descend upon this bounty ❤️
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u/SudsyCole Jan 06 '26
Another angle might be to find a subreddit about large lot resellers, like people who buy entire storage units and then keep inventory of things and sell over time on eBay etc.
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u/ahoyhoy2022 Jan 06 '26
Eugene Textile Center or another weaving supply store that carries second-hand as well as new
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u/Breadothy Jan 06 '26
See if you can reach out to Good Yarns, inc. They resell yarn cones from exactly this sort of situation
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u/FreezNGeezer Jan 06 '26
How much you want?
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
Per rules of this sub, not trying to sell here but find ideas of where to sell all of it as a lot.
But to answer your question, looking to get around 4000 USD.
My wife's business is closing and they can use all the $$ they can get and I would prefer to sell it instead of putting it in storage.
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u/FreezNGeezer Jan 06 '26
I understand, I wanted a ballpark to see if I could help find a buyer. Sorry if I broke rules
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u/Ill_Tell_5337 Jan 06 '26
Idk if Old Mill Yarns also buy but that’s where I get my cones of yarn from. Maybe they can take it in and sell for you?
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u/lnhaynes Jan 06 '26
They're so nice! I was just able to visit in person this summer, it'd definitely be worth an ask!
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u/Gaimes4me Jan 06 '26
This ravelry weaving/spinning group allows free commercial listings once a week.
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/weavers-and-spinners-trading-post?s=tab
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
wow, there's just so many forums and places to post there, I'm totally lost at where to go and what to do. But I signed up and will try to look at it as I have time.
Appreciate the input!
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u/Starrrgazer197 Jan 06 '26
Hi! Selfishly I recommend reaching out to Jefferson University (previously Philadelphia University) to see if they’d be interested in buying it as there’s a weaving program and a whole yarn room and they’re usually looking for more!
Edit: link to site with contact info Textile Design Jefferson University
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u/External_Trash7625 Jan 08 '26
Find out if there is a nearby weaving/knitting guild. Someone there may take them off your hands.
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u/No_Confection9638 Jan 06 '26
What would the price of it be?
I know of a weaving studio opening in march that could be interested in buying all of it. But it would require it to be shipped internationally :)
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
I put a random price of 4k USD on it and got a dozen inquiries or more but no serious offers.
The most interesting one was a fella in the North East who was exploring the option to drive down to SC and get it all.
Have not heard back though
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u/zebraskein Jan 06 '26
Um.. respectfully 😅 it is worth a lot more. But only if you want to take the time to sell it. 4k is a great deal and to get it gone fast. Wool and cotton tend to be more expensive, by the weight. The wool cones I'd price between $40-70 per cone depending on how much material is on it. Colors are worth more. Whoever scores this gold mine, congrats and I hate you bc I would be so jealous.
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u/Billy-Ruffian Jan 06 '26
That's insanely low. Like less than two dollars per cone.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
I understand, when I go and look at the pricing of what they paid. The small cones are $32 a piece and there's just so so many of them.
But I don't have any way to store them and keep them for a long period of time.
I really need them gone by the end of the month.
The business is closing and if somebody wants to take them all we're willing to give a great deal.
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u/odd_conf Jan 06 '26
You might have more luck selling it in bulk if you split it into fibre contents, and sell everything that's at least 75% wool/animal fibre together and everything that's at least 75% plant fibre together, and anything that's more than 25% synthetic together. Time consuming, but it's the first step of splitting it up into lots anyways.
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u/LakeWorldly6568 Jan 06 '26
What fiber content? Will you ship?
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
It's hundreds of cones, hundreds of pounds
I'll have to get more info. It's mostly cotton and wool with some polyester
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u/RenegadeTako Jan 06 '26
Or a craft reselling/reuse store. A thrifty notion, make and mend places like them
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u/personalplayrightnow Jan 06 '26
Donate to NCSU college of textiles or post on an auction site. Google “textile auctions SC”
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u/RealisticGold1535 Jan 06 '26
If you plan to sell any online I might buy some, but that can be a big hassle, especially with how many you have.
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u/drunklibrarian Jan 06 '26
I would expand your guilds/groups to include the major cities around you, especially Asheville and Atlanta. Maybe even Savannah. There are fiber artists and programs in all of those cities. I imagine there might be someone willing to drive 2 hours for that great of a deal on yarn. I used to manage an art supply store in Atlanta and I had people drive from hours away just for a good deal on paint, canvas, brushes, whatever.
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u/aliaiacitest Jan 06 '26
If you can’t sell, consider that donating hard goods is valuable tax wise. Also if you have anything wool and worsted or Aran weight, I could be interested in some cones!
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u/Loose_Variation_4974 Jan 06 '26
I know that some art galleries also teach fiber arts. Like weaving and machine knitting so see if someone around you does that as well.
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u/Mojibacha Jan 06 '26
I haven’t seen anyone speak about this yet, but do sell on bidding auction sites. One used near me is called max sold. I’ve seen auctions where 4-10 boxes of yarn is go for $200-$220 CAD, but that does seem to be the higher end of the scale as they are majority either wool, mohair, cotton, or merino. The nice part about this though is you get to group high price items with low priced ones together in a box, and all will have to go. Generally, I’d say expect the price to end up about 50-70% of what it was if you bought it new, unless you can add something to the description of where you got it from, how was it sourced, what makes it super unique (and therefore perfect for XYZ application). Basically like selling online.
This way you get rid of everything as many of the other avenues people have posted will mean you need to let the buyer pick their lot, leaving you with the most undesirable pieces most of the time (either due to high end prices, or simply issues in quality as fibres don’t do well stored in the open for a long time.) if you’re not in a rush to sell, this method does give you back more money to offset costs, it simply takes a lot more time.
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u/miss_mel181 Jan 06 '26
I was going to suggest live auction sites like WhatNot but takes work for sure to ship it all
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u/homesteadatredbarn Jan 06 '26
This was the option that came to mind. I was hoping someone would mention it. Online auction is a fantastic idea. It would also help to move the equipment, ensuring that the best price for everything. You can still reach out to all of these local organizations and potential interested parties to let them know that you were going to have an auction. It’s definitely important to take quality photos in good lighting and capture any of the tags that might be present. You could also make the auction local pick up only and you wouldn’t have to ship a single thing. The auction company does take a percentage of the sales as buyers premium. The point about the photos and lots, including desirable and undesirable items is a good one. But in my opinion, people will come and buy the less desirable items for a dollar, still achieving the goal of eliminating all of the materials and drastically, reducing the need to do extra work to get rid of what’s left. The other benefit is that the types of machines that you are talking about are quite specific and probably valuable to the right individuals and are likely being targeted on keyword searches on the auction sites already. Those machines may ensure that somebody will travel to get what you are offering, and may likely pay a premium for the yarn you are trying to liquidate. I only know this because I used to buy and sell on auction sites and just finished having a auction for the nonprofit that I work for to get rid of possessions out of a building that was being sold. Feel free to DM if you have any other questions.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
Unfortunately, I'm on a time crunch. The business closed just this week, and now the process of getting everything out of there - either sold or put into storage has begun.
I'm trying to help these 3 sisters who have closed their family business and and I don't actually now what I'm even talking about here!
I know it's yarn! haha I know it's mostly cotton and wool and some synthetics. There's no inventory/index.
It's simply hundreds of cones, some are just a pound or so, but many are 10lbs etc.
Some have tags, some don't I imagine.
More questions than answers.
I really hate to put it into storage, where it's no longer environmentally controlled, I just know that will be detrimental to it.
But alas, no time to go through it all.
I need three of me, and then I could inventory it.
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u/madfisch137 Jan 06 '26
If you do end wanting to inventory, let me know if you’re seeking volunteers in exchange for a few cones! I’m in the Asheville area. Will also bump Warren Wilson College- they have a fiber arts student program and may be interested. I can reach out to a connection there if you like.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
If we end up moving it to storage, I might do that.
I doubt they will donate it though as this is part of their retirement and they could use every penny they could get. They are already discounting it MANY thousands of dollars to try and sell it in a bulk lot.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
So, question for you.... Would you be interested in going in together? Where I could rent a storage place, move this to it, you help inventory it and help find a way to market it and we split the proceeds?
I'm creating a list of the top options that get the best bang-for-the-buck.
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u/madfisch137 Jan 07 '26
I’d be happy to help inventory, and to hear more about what you’re thinking for marketing. Feel free to private message me if you want to pursue that!
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u/Few-Contribution4759 Jan 06 '26
Destash would be a great place to list some of this. I know some historical weavers who would love to get their hands on some cones.
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u/Ability68 Jan 06 '26
R&M Yarns in Tennessee buys lots like this. Was the man from the NE Peter by chance?? Good luck!!
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
I cannot find the post I had made on FB - maybe it was taken down. Ugh. I don't recall his name, but I think he was in NY or NJ.
The latest person to reach out is someone from bangladesh. Uhmm, I'm sorry, I cannot deal with someone in another country. I have no means to pack all that up and put it in a container even if he is willing to pay much more than I'm asking. sigh.
It's just a bit much to deal with honestly!
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u/weaverlorelei Jan 06 '26
Personally, if they have been stored for years in this manner, I would not trust the stability of any protein fiber. I am helping the family of a friend who passed and I am sorting thru all fibers, cone by cone, bag by bag. After 40+ years, I would say, easily 50% or more is being burned in a brush pile.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
Well, the yarn isn't 40 years old.. I mean, some could be, but it's been in use and being used and cycled through constantly until this week.
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u/forest_fibers Jan 06 '26
It will make great filling in lumbar support pillows
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u/weaverlorelei Jan 06 '26
True, but. Do you really want to bring "infected" cones into your workspace?
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u/Strict-Following7228 Jan 06 '26
There's also a handmade carpet subreddit : r/tufting where people might be interested !
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u/Due_Mark6438 Jan 06 '26
Also advertise to machine knitting groups and guilds. Coned yarn is what we use too.
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u/zingencrazy Jan 06 '26
You have thousands of items to sell in a short period of time. It just happens to be yarn so is kind of a niche thing.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't check with your local fiber people for ideas and continue to try posting on things like FB, but here is another idea to consider -
Check your area for an auction house or estate sale company that can post a sale on a site like CTbids.com or Hibid.com . I don't know how it would work exactly, if they would buy your inventory outright or would take a cut.
I've seen lots of weaver's sales out on those sites, someone's lifetime accumulation of stuff. The stuff gets sold within the time of the auction, and I've rarely seen a weaving item not get a bid. The companies generally partner with local shipping companies so they're accessing a really big market online. And people bid against each other so the bids can go really high. I've seen boxes of yarn of unidentified fiber content go for hundreds of dollars, and equipment that people probably paid nearly retail price for by the time they added in fees and shipping.
Good luck!
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u/SittinganKnitting Jan 06 '26
There is a place called the Little Loom House in KY that will happily take it. Provided you get to the "just get rid of it " stage.. they are a nonprofit
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u/UnhingedBlonde Jan 06 '26
Maybe you could contact some auction houses to see what they could do? They take a cut of your profits but they'll advertise, organize, and get rid of it all at once.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
I'm fine with someone taking a cut.. But so far, no luck with people wanting THIS MUCH. It's hundreds of cones! It's a box truck full, or at least a large u-haul trailer!
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u/UnhingedBlonde Jan 06 '26 edited Jan 06 '26
Yeah, I agree, it's ALOT. I'm hoping your post gets traction and you'll get help selling them! Do you have a time limit on when you have to have them sold?
Edit to add: I saw the pic you posted of the table and yarn and if it's all still housed at the shop, could you open it up and sell everything out of the shop? Advertise it everywhere, make an event FB page with info, post it on Reddit, ask your local public radio stations if they could let people know, post it on Craigslist and Nextdoor and put a big sign out front with information about the sale. Then let them come to you until you've sold what will sell.
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u/mmmallu Jan 06 '26
If you end up unable to sell, I’d recommend reaching out to Swanson’s Fabrics in Turner, MA. It’s a fabrics/fibers thrift shop but might be too far away.
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 06 '26
I appreciate all the input! You guys have given me some great ideas and I'm looking into many of them that seem like the easiest way.
To address the "donate". The owners are retiring and are hoping to get a little money in their pocket because without the business in operation, there's nothing more coming in. Not saying we wouldn't donate if it came down to it, but first, we have to exhaust the options of selling it all.
To address "sell it in smaller lots" - time and manpower are both limited. If we cannot do something in the next few weeks, it will have to go to storage to be dealt with later. Once in storage, I feel time is limited there. It's been in an environmentally safe location. In storage, there's rats, moths, temperature extremes, and who knows what else.
Anyway, I love you guys for taking the time to help me! It's a starting point anyway!
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u/sarahklena Jan 06 '26
Sell small lots on Poshmark. I read yesterday that yarn gets snatched up for retail value. One lady says she puts two complementary colors together and sells it like that.
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u/ProcedureNo3050 Jan 07 '26
I would see if you could find a university I with a fiber program. My school's weaving program (in Colorado) was always on the lookout for big lots like this. A university program will have a much larger budget available than most individuals.
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u/Haunting-Coat-191 Jan 07 '26
Would you be willing to sell some cones?
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u/Haunting-Coat-191 Jan 07 '26
Like 2-3 cones at a time?
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 07 '26
At this time, I'm looking for someone to take it all.
I don't know what the future holds though.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Ask806 Jan 07 '26
You can try contacting your local yarn shops. They’ll need to know basic info before buying, but a local shop near me took in cones from an estate after a weaver passed and sold them on discount. It was a great addition to their collection
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u/Puzzleheaded_Ask806 Jan 07 '26
Since they are odds and ends with a pretty specific purpose, what about searching for groups that do carpet serging classes? Like Bond: https://www.bondproducts.com/get-carpet-binding-training/?srsltid=AfmBOorjSy4bDiMFfZtn4fGfoIyoxsMR1iVPAtkM44w9ndociyIl3POp
They or someone else might be interested in purchasing discounted material for instruction
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u/How_Clef-er Jan 07 '26
where are you selling them?
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u/HotAsAPepper Jan 07 '26
I put a generic ad on FB marketplace. And I've made a few posts so far.
My wife has called a couple places that do what they did.
But right now I'm getting ideas from this subreddit and we'll start working through the list.
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u/BobaBunny2 Jan 07 '26
Universities with a machine knitting course or really any fiber/fashion courses would love to have these if they aren't brittle! Cones cost so much for projects, I'm sure some students and professors would be interested. Also selling on r/machineknitting could be a good source to see if people are interested!
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u/peeinginsomeone Jan 07 '26
Weirdly enough, I know of a previous professor of mine who runs a weaving mill (titled the same). They can be found online as The Weaving Mill Chicago and the organization has an info email: info@theweavingmill.com.
The co-owner is named Emily Winter and is a weaving teacher at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She also runs a weaving mill where she teaches adults with developmental disabilities how to make income through weaving, so these materials would be of great use I hope! Worth contacting her/the mill.
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u/CKHmmmm Jan 08 '26
Ah man I really wish I could afford to buy some of this. I have a huge dream project and I need like 12thousand yards of wool yarn for it. 🥲
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u/Abject_Ad_2556 Jan 08 '26
There is a consignment store in Massachusetts. Omg. These are so pretty. Let me find her link.
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u/Abject_Ad_2556 Jan 08 '26
Call Amy, she takes consignment from all over the world. If she isn’t the one, she can tell you who. https://www.fabrictreasuresmass.com
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u/femmiestdadandowlcat Jan 09 '26
Where are you located? Peter Patchis in Rhode Island buys mill ends
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u/soniabegonia Jan 09 '26
Old Mill Yarn?
But there are probably local schools to you that it would be easier to transport the lot to.
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u/whippetgreat Jan 09 '26
There are machine knitting groups on FB - they would likely be interested in this sold as smaller lots.
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u/Mango_Skittles Jan 09 '26
This is so cool!! Could you maybe do a sale onsite over a weekend or two? You could advertise to some of the groups others had commented. It would be less work than dealing with selling it online in batches if you can’t find someone to take the lot. I’m close to Greenville and would love to come buy some!
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u/MerryBee5 Jan 10 '26
Contact Yarn Barn of Lawrence, Kansas. They have shelves like this and may have ideas for you. Weavers use these. There are textiles schools that Yarn Barn could put you in touch with.
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u/famjam87 Jan 10 '26
You could work with a site like k bid, break it up the way another commentator suggested into lots. Then advertise the auction everywhere. Online with a shipping price, and local groups can pick up. But definitely advertise it
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u/Sorry-Ordinary-7188 Jan 10 '26
Holden Village, Chelan WA will likely take them. For what price, I don't know. Village is currently shut down due to mudslide ATM so it might be a while before they get back to you.
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u/lenette63 Jan 10 '26
Similar issue when my mom died. She had 6 looms and 33 tubs of yarn. I joined some FB weaving groups and then sold on FB Market place. It was a lot of work, and I learned so much in the process. I destashed my Dad's house and netted him almost $6000. Best of luck to you. P.S. if you end up shipping, look at using Pirate Ship.
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u/1shirt2shirtredshirt Jan 10 '26
Also: if you end up with some extra cones, a local makerspace that has a loom, like my local one (has a couple actually) would be over the moon for a donation like this. Not even of the expensive fibers, just basic cotton blends
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u/GoldberryoTulgeyWood Jan 12 '26
I wonder if Colonial Williamsburg might buy a chunk of it. They have (or had) weavers.
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u/iamnotnakedhere Jan 06 '26
This is maybe a slightly different suggestion to what others have mentioned to you but I see you’re in the upstate. There is a company called Leigh fibers that recycles textiles you may want to look into. It is possible you could sell this as a single lot for a per lb price to them.
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u/Spirited-Vanilla1845 Jan 06 '26
Since these are primarily in the shades used by Buddhists, how about donating to a monastery. They would certainly put it to good use and would super appreciate it.
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u/IntentionalyLftBlank Jan 06 '26
Not sure where you're based but Jefferson University's Textile Design Program might be interested or may be able to connect you to a buyer if they themselves aren't interested.
Any of the first three contacts would be the people to talk to : https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/kanbar-college-of-design-engineering-commerce/school-of-design-engineering/academic-programs/textile-design/faculty.html
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u/lnhaynes Jan 06 '26
This would be more in the "donate" direction but maybe reach out to the Loose Ends project and Swanson's fabrics! They just got a huuuuge donation of Finnish wool from someone that ran a yarn store. Swanson's sold it, loose ends receives the proceeds, people get a great discount on nice yarn, win-win-win! They figured out the logistics for pickup because it was a huuuuge amount of yarn
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u/lnhaynes Jan 06 '26
The Weaving Mill in Chicago would also be worth contacting! They use a lot of dead stock yarn in their production and it goes to a good cause. Not sure if they'd be able to purchase, but especially at $4k they might be able to figure something out
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u/AdExpert6787 Jan 06 '26
Look at fiber sellers on Etsy, as well. There are several who sell only by the cone. R&M Yarns also sells by the cone. They’re located i Georgetown, TN, halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga
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u/aimthearrow Jan 06 '26
I know it's not the right time of year but you could also advertise an in person yarn sale on FB. I recently attended one where every cone was $5 per (obviously very low) but natural fibers sold so fast and the place was so busy if that's an option for you. This amount would be a hard sell for a non business. Good luck, what a treasure trove you have and I'm sorry the family business is closing down, that's always a shame.
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u/smolcoconut Jan 06 '26
I know Anchorlight studios in Raleigh is working towards opening a weaving studio and is in the market to purchase yarn cones in bulk, you could reach out to them!
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u/Siouxsie24 Jan 06 '26
You could try contacting Upcycle Arts in Charlotte, it’s a nonprofit creative reuse store. I remember a few years ago they had a gigantic quantity of leather hides that they helped a company get rid of.
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u/BustedCanOfBiscuits3 Jan 06 '26
This is insane and amazing and I wish I had the bandwidth to take it off your hands. WOW! Good luck.
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u/bellandthistle Jan 06 '26
I think I saw this on marketplace near me! I'd love to buy some, but couldn't afford the whole lot 😂
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u/screamingradio Jan 06 '26
There is an online website based in Portland OR that sells yarn by the cone and custom wound mixes.
Maybe ask if they would be interested in buying all of it
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u/msnide14 Jan 06 '26
OP, you will have a tough time selling these as a lot to a hobbiest. This is what I would do if I wanted to recoup some cost and not spend forever doing so.
Sort these by fiber and weight. Make smaller lots of cones that that have the same fiber and weight. Aim for 5-10 cones per group. Weigh them, and begin pricing these on places like Facebook marketplace at roughly 50% of the normal retail price. Maybe go cheaper if the yarn is in rough shape.
For luxury fibers like cashmere, silk and mohair, price at like, 70% retail. Make a firm stance that you are not willing to break up groups for anyone. All or nothing.
If that sounds like to much work, reach out to your local guild. They may offer to organize a sale for you, but they will be selling to friends at a steep discount (which is normal and expected for weaving sales).
If there is no guild in your area, sell at a general price per lb. Make a general price for each kind of fiber. You will end up with a random assortment of unsellable cones at the end, but you will move the yarn faster.