FAQs

Purlin’ J’s Roving Yarn Company is the first and only mobile yarn shop serving Kingston and Eastern Ontario. Now open: Purlin' J's Yarn Emporium at 675 Arlington Park Place in Kingston! Purlin' J's features yarn and fascinating fibre paraphernalia for the modern fibrecrafter!

Q: When is the yarntruck open and how can I find it?

A: The yarntruck operates seasonally at varying locations in Kingston and Eastern Ontario, Canada. Dates, when they are confirmed, are posted on the Yarntruck Dates page.

Q: Does Purlin' J's have a brick and mortar shop I can visit?

Yes! A new brick-and-mortar "Yarn Emporium" is now open in Kingston, Ontario at 2-675 Arlington Park Place. Hours of operation are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm; Wednesday, 10 am to 8 pm. Want something specific? Send an email to info@purlinjs.ca or call 613-507-2700 to let us know what you are looking for.

Q: Where do you ship?

We ship to Canada, USA, and internationally. Flat rate shipping within Canada is $10.00 CAD. Free shipping within Canada only with an order of $175 or more before tax. Local pickup from 675 Arlington Park Place.
Shipping is by Canada Post from Kingston, Ontario, Canada. In the event of a strike or service disruption, your package is sent via UPS.

Please note that shipments sent outside of Canada will not have tracking unless you choose to add tracking when selecting your parcel's rate at checkout. You are also responsible for paying any extra duties, taxes or fees if applicable.

Email info@purlinjs.ca if you have questions about shipping, exchanges, or pickup.

 

Q: What are the policies onboard the yarntruck and at the Emporium?

A: Purlin’ J’s accepts Visa, Mastercard, Debit and Cash payments. Applicable GST/HST is added to sales. GST/HST No: 851505693RT0001 Needles, crochet hooks, patterns, books, sale/clearance yarn, & wound yarn: FINAL SALE. All other items are EXCHANGE ONLY and must be unopened and in saleable condition. NO REFUNDS

Purlin’ J’s asks for your email address at point of sale for the purpose of sending you an electronic receipt. Your email will not be used for any other purpose unless you choose to be added to Purlin’ J’s customer email list.

Q: What products are available at Purlin' J's?

A: Shop for premium hand-dyed and commercial yarn. Brands include Koigu, Rowan, Noro yarn, and more.  If you have any requests for certain products please let us know! We also carry Made-in-Canada Kollage square knitting needles, patterns, 100% wool felt and trinkets, tools, and gifts! Limited products are sold online.

Q: Does Purlin' J's Roving Yarn Co. offer classes to learn knitting/crochet?

A: Yes! The current lineup of workshops is listed here. All workshops and events, unless noted, take place at 2-675 Arlington Park Place, in Kingston, ON.

Q: How do I book the yarntruck for a special event?

A: The yarntruck visits locations in Kingston and Eastern Ontario, generally as part of a craft show, fair, or festival. Send an email to info@purlinjs.ca with information about your event: date, opening and set-up times, location, and other relevant vendor information. The yarntruck requires a flat spot, at least two car-lengths long to set up. A spot in the parking lot, close to the entrance of the venue, is ideal. We ask that the event organizer reserve this spot with traffic cones or barriers prior to the truck's arrival. Customers enter the truck from the rear, and exit via the side door after shopping. There are handrails to assist with boarding but unfortunately the yarntruck is not wheelchair accessible.

Q: Is there an actual Purlin' J?

A: Yes! She is me, Joan Sharpe, and I have years of knitting expertise to share with Purlin’ J's customers. My late mother, Dorothy, taught me to knit when I was eight years old. (It took a few tries for me to get the hang of it!) My mother encouraged me to work at my local yarn shop when I was still a teenager. This part-time job helped pay my way through a two-year Fashion Design Diploma program at Sheridan College, where I majored in knit clothing. I was hired straight out of college to join the hand-knit pattern design team for the Bouquet brand of yarns manufactured by Spinrite Yarns. As part of the design team, I worked on turning design concepts into written patterns and finally into completed garments.

I love living in Kingston and being a part of a dynamic fibrecrafting community! 

Q: What's the history of the truck? Why is it named Lil Dorothy?

A: The Purlin' J's Roving Yarn Co. yarntruck is a 1982 Ford that was used a Lanark County fire service vehicle before she was converted to the yarntruck you see today. The red exterior paint and interior fittings are original to the fire service. The truck is named Lil Dorothy, after Joan Sharpe's late mother, Dorothy Sharpe, who taught Joan/Purlin' J how to knit when she was just a girl.