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| Decision field | Open accessYarn Database EU Dyers and MakersEuropean UnionRemove | Open accessYarnSubGlobalRemove | Free + paidPatternReviewGlobalRemove | Free accountWoolmark Learning CentreGlobalRemove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decision fit | ||||
| Primary job | Choose materials | Choose materials | Find patterns & fit | Learn techniques |
| Also useful for | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded |
| Area | Yarn | Yarn | Patterns & fit | Techniques & repair |
| Best for | Finding independent EU yarn or fibre dyers with off-Ravelry purchase routes | Building a substitution shortlist for a discontinued or unavailable yarn before checking quantity, availability, and a representative swatch | Finding member reports about a named sewing pattern | Structured wool education |
| Know before using | It is one curator's intentionally selective, off-Ravelry-oriented database, inventories change, and paid supporters can receive rotating priority placement; verify availability, fibre claims, shipping, and terms directly. | A suggested match is a data-based shortlist, not proof that the yarn suits the pattern or maker. Records can be incomplete or wrong, price bands are approximate, availability varies by country and seller, and shade-level matching is unavailable. YarnSub says affiliate status does not change suggestions, but equally rated matches are ordered by brand popularity. Confirm required gauge, total length, fibre behavior, construction, care, colour, dye lot, accessibility, price, availability, and seller terms, then make and assess a representative swatch before committing. | PatternReview combines community reports, membership, education, advertising, and retail, so it is not a neutral or complete pattern index. Reviews are individual experiences rather than standardized fit tests. Confirm the exact pattern version, size range, measurements, fabric, format, errata, licence, seller terms, and current availability with the designer or publisher. Paid catalogue and search features do not establish an export route or continued access after membership ends. | This is Woolmark-operated education focused on wool, not a neutral comparison of all fibres or processing systems. A completion badge records coursework, not independent proof of production competence, product performance, environmental impact, or compliance. Confirm technical values and local requirements against current standards before production use. |
| Practical access | ||||
| For | Makers | Makers | Makers | Both |
| Location or jurisdiction | European Union | Global | Global | Global |
| Access | Open access | Open access | Free + paid | Free account |
| Format | Directory | Reference | Community | Reference |
| Source type | Community database | First-party platform | Community database | Industry organization |
| Account, payment, and exit | ||||
| Access scope | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Maker comparing a replacement for a named yarn before buying. | Sewer reading community pattern reports, participating in discussions, or keeping a personal pattern catalogue and wishlist. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Before an account | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Search a named yarn, inspect suggested substitutes, and filter by fibre and approximate price band without creating an account. | Browse recent pattern reviews, the review gallery, shop, classes, blog, and public help pages without creating an account. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Free-account boundary | Not yet reviewed at this level. | The checked core substitution route does not require an account, and the FAQ does not offer user-entered yarn records. | Free membership requires email activation. The account FAQ says most participation and member-only areas require sign-in. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Payment boundary | Not yet reviewed at this level. | No subscription is presented for the core route. Affiliate retailer links and optional donations help fund the site; equal-rated matches are ordered by brand popularity. | Friends of PR costs $34.95 per year and adds advanced search, a personal pattern catalogue and wishlist, bookmarks, classifieds, discounts, and other features. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Cancellation or exit | Not yet reviewed at this level. | There is no account or recurring plan to cancel for the core route. The newsletter has a separate unsubscribe link. | Friends of PR recurs on its plan cycle. The account FAQ says an advance email includes cancellation instructions and also publishes an email cancellation route. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Saved work and data | Not yet reviewed at this level. | YarnSub does not expose an API and does not accept user-entered yarn details. Use the data-issue link on a yarn page for corrections. | Paid tools can hold a pattern catalogue, wishlist, bookmarks, and photos, but the checked pages do not establish a complete export or post-membership retention route. Keep critical records elsewhere. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Source and review | ||||
| What the source establishes | The individually researched database offers free listings and sortable yarn, fibre, designer, editor, accessory, and location views; the EU page spans multiple countries and direct seller profiles. | YarnSub's official FAQ says its matching software compares gauge, texture, yarn weight and density, fibre content, and fibre qualities such as drape and softness. Discontinued yarns remain searchable as starting points but are excluded from suggestions. Result filters can exclude animal, animal-derived, synthetic, or plant fibre groups and use a subjective $ to $$$$$ price indicator. The site does not accept user-entered yarn details, individual shade cards, or expose an API. Each yarn page provides a data-issue route. | PatternReview's current site exposes recent pattern, sewing-machine, and store reviews, forums, contests, classes, classifieds, a pattern shop, and a searchable review gallery. Its account FAQ says most participation requires a free activated account. Friends of PR adds advanced search, a personal pattern catalogue and wishlist, bookmarks, classifieds, a photo album, discounts, and other features through a recurring paid membership with a published email cancellation route. | The current Woolmark Learning Centre library publishes free account-based coursework with module counts, completion times, progress tracking, knowledge checks, and supporting resources. Its wool programs cover fibre science, raw-wool and yarn processing, dyeing and finishing, woven textiles, knitwear, product quality, and wastewater management for learners and facilitators. |
| Linked page reviewed | Jul 15, 2026 | Jul 28, 2026 | Jul 28, 2026 | Jul 28, 2026 |
| Next review due | Jan 11, 2027 | Jan 24, 2027 | Jan 24, 2027 | Jan 24, 2027 |
| Inspect | ||||
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