Is Domestic Yarn Always Better? (The Answer Might Surprise You)

A few years ago, I began gradually transitioning the Megs & Co. shop away from internationally sourced yarns and fibers in favor of materials sourced and produced closer to home. My goal was simple: to support domestic fiber production while connecting knitters and makers with unique yarns that tell a story about where they come from.

Through this initiative, I've had the opportunity to share some truly special products with you. Bases like Ghost Town Fingering and DK, sourced from Rambouillet and Merino wool raised in the western United States, and of course Empire Estate, my custom-spun New York State yarn, represent the kind of thoughtful, traceable fiber partnerships that have become increasingly important to me.

But that raises an interesting question: why choose local or domestically produced yarn in the first place?

One of the most compelling reasons is the ability to support local economies. Purchasing yarn made from wool that is raised, processed, and spun domestically helps support farmers, shepherds, mills, fiber processors, and the rural communities that depend on agriculture. It helps create and maintain jobs within our own communities and keeps more of each purchase circulating through local and regional economies rather than flowing through global supply chains.

Domestic sourcing can also provide greater supply chain transparency. When fiber is produced closer to home, it is often easier to learn which breeds produced the wool, how the animals were raised, where the fiber was processed, and what environmental or animal welfare practices were followed along the way. That said, transparency and ethical sourcing are priorities for me regardless of where a fiber originates. Every yarn and fiber base sold in the Megs & Co. shop is thoroughly vetted to ensure it meets my standards for animal welfare, environmental responsibility, and fair labor practices.

Another commonly cited benefit is the potential reduction in transportation impacts. Domestic wool often travels fewer miles from farm to mill to consumer, which can reduce transportation emissions, decrease packaging waste, and lessen reliance on complex international shipping networks. While environmental impacts depend on many factors beyond transportation alone, shorter supply chains can certainly play a role.

Finally, choosing domestic wool helps preserve regional fiber traditions and infrastructure. Supporting local producers helps maintain heritage sheep breeds, traditional spinning and milling knowledge, and textile industries that might otherwise struggle to survive in an increasingly global marketplace.

All of that makes a compelling case for domestic yarns. It's a great story, it's increasingly important to many consumers, and frankly, it's very much on trend right now.

But here's where things get interesting.

Domestic sourcing is not automatically the best choice in every situation.

Locally produced yarns can sometimes cost more, offer fewer options, or simply not match the characteristics that certain projects require. Likewise, some internationally sourced fibers come from regions with exceptional expertise, highly efficient production systems, and generations of specialized knowledge.

For example, my Soft Sock yarn base is spun from fully traceable, guaranteed mulesing-free Australian Merino wool, which is widely regarded as some of the finest and softest Merino wool in the world. Australian Merino has long set the standard for quality, and for good reason.

As a dyer, I love working with it because its nearly pure-white color allows dyed shades to shine with exceptional clarity and vibrancy. And have I mentioned how decadently soft it is?

The wool is then superwash treated and spun in Italy, a country that has been a global leader in textile production for centuries and continues to produce some of the finest yarns and threads available today. The European Union maintains exceptionally strict environmental standards for wool processing, making its textile industry one of the most highly regulated and environmentally conscious in the world.

Because of the scale and efficiency of Australia's wool industry combined with Italy's world-class spinning infrastructure, this luxurious yarn is remarkably affordable. By nearly every measurable standard—including fiber fineness, softness, consistency, and spinning quality—it represents one of the highest-quality yarns available, yet it remains the least expensive base for me to source in my current lineup.

Its only real drawback, depending on your perspective, is that it is internationally sourced and produced on a larger scale than many boutique domestic alternatives.

So while I deeply value local and domestic fiber production—and will continue seeking out exceptional regional yarns whenever possible—I also believe that quality, sustainability, affordability, and ethical production can be found in many places around the world.

Which brings me to my question for you:

When you're choosing yarn, what matters most? Do you prioritize local and domestically sourced fibers, or are fiber quality, performance, price, and production practices more important factors in your decision-making?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in a short survey. Enjoy 25% off your next purchase as a thank you for taking the survey!