The Truth About Big Twist Yarn: Who Makes It & Where to Buy It

There’s been a lot of misinformation floating around about Who Makes Big Twist Yarn—and let me tell you, it’s time to set the record straight.

A collage of six colorful Big Twist yarn products, exclusively at JOANN, is labeled "Who Makes It." Overlaid text teases: "Who Makes JOANN Big Twist Yarn? *spoiler alert—it's not who you think!" Discover where to buy and unravel the mystery. -Marly Bird

If you’ve heard people say that Spinrite (the parent company of Yarnspirations) makes Big Twist Yarn, I’m here to tell you that is 100% false. I know because I went straight to the source and asked. And guess what?

🚨 Spinrite does NOT manufacture Big Twist Yarn. 🚨

I have direct contacts at Spinrite (I was a proud Yarnspirations Ambassador for years), and when I started seeing people spread this rumor, I picked up the phone and got the facts. So, unless they are lying to me (and you), this is what I know.

Now, let’s break it all down—who really makes Big Twist Yarn, where you can buy it, and why private label yarns are shaking up the industry in ways most people don’t realize.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the content and free patterns I provide here on MarlyBird.com. Thank you for your support—it means the world to me! šŸ’–


Where Can You Buy Big Twist Yarn?

For years, Big Twist Yarn has been a JOANN-exclusive brand, meaning it was only sold in JOANN stores and on JOANN.com.

But with JOANN closing, that means Big Twist Yarn will become harder to find.

Right now, here’s where you might be able to buy it:

šŸ›’ JOANN (If Your Local Store Is Still Open) – Check your nearest location while supplies last.
šŸ›ļø JOANN.com – Limited stock may be available, but this could change quickly.
šŸ“¦ Online Resellers (Amazon, eBay, etc.) – But buyer beware!

Since Big Twist is a private label yarn, once JOANN is gone (or stops restocking), you won’t find it anywhere else unless someone is reselling it. And that’s where things get tricky.

A chaotic pile of red and white triangular warning signs, each displaying the bold black word "SCAM" in the center, resembles a cleverly tangled mess of Big Twist Yarn. -Marly Bird

🚨 Warning About Online Scams 🚨

I’ve seen a lot of scam listings pop up lately, especially on Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace, with people claiming to sell Big Twist Yarn—when they actually don’t have it at all.

āš ļø Red Flags to Watch For:
āŒ Prices that seem too good to be true (super cheap or extreme markups).
āŒ Sellers with no reviews or a bad reputation.
āŒ Listings using stock photos instead of real product images.
āŒ Shady websites pretending to be ā€œliquidationā€ stores for JOANN.

If you’re trying to stock up on Big Twist, make sure you’re buying from a trusted seller. And if you can’t find it, check out similar yarns (I’ve listed some great alternatives below).

I’ll keep an eye on this situation and update you if things change. In the meantime, be careful out there!


Who Actually Makes Big Twist Yarn?

The label says it loud and clear: Made in Turkey. That little detail is everything.

When a retailer’s house brand is labeled ā€œMade in Turkey,ā€ it means they bypassed major yarn companies and went straight to the factory to get it made. That’s exactly what JOANN did.

So let me repeat it for the people in the back:

āŒ Big Twist Yarn is NOT made by Spinrite.
āŒ Big Twist Yarn is NOT made by Yarnspirations.
āŒ Big Twist Yarn is NOT made by any major North American yarn company.

It’s a JOANN-exclusive yarn, made for them by a manufacturer in Turkey. Period.

ETA: please note some of the different types of Big Twist might be made in India or Vietnam but the premise is the same–it is factory direct.

Interested to see how many manufactures are in Turkey for yarn? I did a google search, check it out!

Explore a comprehensive list of textile companies and their logos, including CANAN Textile, Ranteks Tekstil, Wobilene Textile, and more. Delve into details about who makes it with a dropdown arrow beside each name. Ideal for those curious about Big Twist Yarn origins. -Marly Bird
This is a screen shot I took of all the factories in Turkey according to Google. šŸ‘†

Does Spinrite or Yarnspirations Sell Big Twist Yarn?

Nope. Not even close.

I’ve worked closely with Spinrite for years, and they do not, under any circumstances, produce Big Twist Yarn. If you’ve heard otherwise, it’s just wrong information.

You won’t find Big Twist under brands like:

āŒ Bernat
āŒ Caron
āŒ Patons
āŒ Lily Sugar’n Cream
āŒ Red Heart

And you won’t find it on Yarnspirations.com either.

A Google search results page displays details on "who makes Big Twist Yarn," but a bold, red diagonal text overlay labeled "FALSE" dominates the content. -Marly Bird

I love a good detective mystery as much as the next person, but this one isn’t a whodunit. We know who makes Big Twist, and it’s NOT Spinrite.

And even if you do a Google search and the AI-generated summary tries to tell you something different—it’s FALSE! Seriously, I went straight to the source, asked the company directly, and they told me NO, they do not make Big Twist Yarn.

šŸ”¹ Moral of the story? Don’t believe everything you read on the internet (except this. LOL).

If you ever need real answers about yarn, I’ve got you covered. šŸ˜‰

Collage showcasing vibrant skeins of exclusive Big Twist Yarn with the text "Who Makes Joann Big Twist Yarn?" and a crossed-out Yarnspirations logo underneath. Curious about "Where to Buy It?" Find these unique yarns only at Joann. -Marly Bird

What Yarns Are Comparable to Big Twist?

If you love Big Twist Value or Big Twist Soft, but want some alternatives, here are a few solid options:

Comparable to Big Twist Value (Budget-Friendly Acrylic)

🧶 Red Heart Super Saver (Yarnspirations) – A classic, durable, and budget-friendly option.
🧶 Loops & Threads Impeccable (Michaels) – Private label yarn from Michaels with a similar feel.
🧶 Premier Basix (Premier Yarns) – Affordable, soft acrylic in tons of colors.
🧶 Bernat Super Value – Bernat Super Value yarn is a premium worsted weight yarn. 
🧶 Herrschners Worsted Yarn – Affordable, soft acrylic in tons of colors.
🧶 Herrschners Worsted 8 Heathers – (I love this yarn!) VERY soft acrylic with great drape.
🧶 WeCrochet Brava Yarn – Great colors, soft touch, love this yarn!
🧶 WeCrochet Brava Tweed – Same wonderful yarn with tweed effect.

Comparable to Big Twist Soft (Drapey & Silky Acrylic)

🧶 Caron Simply Soft – Silky and lightweight, very close in texture.
🧶 Red Heart Soft – Smooth and Silky worsted weight yarn with wonderful drape and shine.
🧶 WeCrochet Gloss Worsted – Up your crafting with some affordable Merino Wool + Silk.

You might notice that some of these comparable yarns are private label brands too (like Loops & Threads from Michaels and I Love This Yarn! from Hobby Lobby). That brings me to an important industry trend that I think every yarn lover should know about.

Here are some fun patterns you might like that use these yarns:
– Peak Serenity Knit Shawl – One Ball Project and Free Pattern
– Moonlit Path Crochet Mosaic Hat – Free Pattern and Tutorial
– Amanda Woods Cocoon Cardigan – Great for Unforgettable
– Autumn Breezes Crochet Hat – free pattern with video tutorial
– Falling Leaves Knit Hat – free pattern with video tutorial
– Garden Party Crochet Cardigan – free pattern *BiCrafty Community Favorite!


Image of various yarn skeins from Yarnspirations. Text reads "Private Label vs. Yarn Company" in bold blue and white letters. Skeins, including Big Twist Yarn, showcase diverse shades like red, purple, blue, and multicolors—a must-see for those looking to buy from top manufacturers. -Marly Bird

How Private Label Yarn Impacts the Yarn Industry

Alright, let’s talk about private label yarns and why they matter.

Big retailers like JOANN, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart all have their own house-brand yarns. Instead of buying from established yarn companies (like Spinrite, Lion Brand, or Premier Yarns), they go straight to the factories and have their own versions made.

šŸ”¹ Why do they do this?
āž”ļø It’s cheaper for them.
āž”ļø They don’t have to rely on name brands.
āž”ļø They can price it lower than the big yarn companies.

Sounds great, right? Not so fast. Here’s where it starts to hurt:

1ļøāƒ£ It Cuts Out Established Yarn Brands. Retailers are ordering less from major yarn companies because they’re pushing their own yarns instead. That means we see fewer new yarns, fewer innovations, and sometimes even discontinued favorites.

2ļøāƒ£ It Undercuts Pricing. Private label yarns are often priced just below similar yarns from big brands. That might be great for your wallet, but it makes it harder for established companies to compete.

3ļøāƒ£ It Replaces Best-Sellers. Big Twist Value is basically JOANN’s version of Red Heart Super Saver. Loops & Threads Soft & Shiny? That replaced Caron Simply Soft at Michaels. It’s a strategy we see again and again: they copy a best-seller, introduce their version at a lower price, and then suddenly, the original is gone from the store.


Final Thoughts: The Real Truth About Who Makes Big Twist Yarn

I know the world of yarn can feel overwhelming—especially with so much wrong info out there. But if you’ve made it this far, you now have the facts about Big Twist Yarn:

āœ… Big Twist is a JOANN-exclusive brand, made in Turkey.
āœ… Spinrite and Yarnspirations do NOT make Big Twist Yarn.
āœ… JOANN buys it directly from a manufacturer (possibly to cut costs).
āœ… Private label yarns are changing the industry—sometimes at the expense of established brands.

So next time you see someone saying that Big Twist is a Yarnspirations or Spinrite product, feel free to send them this blog post. Let’s keep our yarn community informed with real facts, not rumors.

And if you ever have a burning yarn question, you know where to find me. I’ve got the industry connections, and I’m always happy to get you the truth straight from the source.

šŸ’• Your BiCrafty Bestie,
Marly Bird

A cartoon avatar of a person with glasses and a brown bun smiles warmly. Their green shirt and black jacket add a stylish touch, while colorful hearts surround them like loving temperature blankets, stitching together an aura of love and positivity. -Marly Bird

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  1. Deborah Rachwal says:

    I knew Spinrite didn’t manufacture it as I also saw it was made in Turkey, they are in Canada. My hope was that Big Twist caught another company’s attention and would buy it from the liquidator. RIP Joann

  2. sandra Nissiotis says:

    Thank you for checking the origins of Big Twist yarn. Personally, I did not use it, because my go-to-yarn is Red heart Super Saver. But many of my online friends are having a meltdown about the loss of Big Twist Yarn.
    Sincerely,
    Sandra

  3. Kimberly Williams says:

    Thank you for the research!! Honestly, it’s not like I’ll stop crocheting or knitting just because some brands are discontinued… there are many great yarns out there, at all different price points.
    Thanks for the clarification!

  4. Wildflower spirit creations says:

    Please don’t compare big twist to those stiff economy acrylics or the ones with no body . Although I don’t often use economy acrylic anymore I think mainstay comes closest. Bravo is not an economy acrylic. There really isn’t anything that comes close to value and color availability so I can understand the void in the market.

    • Marly Bird says:

      I would disagree with you. The softness that the Herrschners Worsted 8 Heathers has is comparable to the basic Big Twist Yarn. And side note: did you know that when Super Saver was developed it was made to be ā€œscratchyā€ to compete with the wool yarn market? It was one of the first acrylic yarns made available and in order to convince knitters and crocheters to work with it, the company made the yarn feel like wool. Mainstay yarn…it would surprise you who makes that yarn. You should look it up.

  5. Ingrid says:

    Thank you Marly for that information. I enjoy your youtube channel. You are the one I watch when I started watching YouTube.

  6. Toniette Barber says:

    Thanks Marly so very much for your YouTube video and this blog regarding JoAnn’s closings and the truth about the manufacturer of their Big Twist yarns. I have avidly used Big Twist yarns for many years and am devastated with JoAnn’s stores closings. Thanks also for sharing the pros and cons of private label yarns and for your list of yarn alternatives. I think I will choose Caron’s Simply Soft and Premier Yarns for future crochet projects.

  7. Patricia Charron says:

    So when Joann’s is gone, the manufacturer in Turkey that makes Big Twist yarn is out of business or finds another company like Joann’s to buy their yarn and put it out with a new name on the label. Kind of a sneaky way to stay in business.

    • Marly Bird says:

      The factory in Turkey manufactures more yarn than just the JOANN private label yarn. They work with all the yarn companies around the world. It is not uncommon to have a yarn come from a factory that is sold under two or more different labels by different companies. Have you ever noticed that a yarn from one company looks REALLY SIMILAR to another yarn by a different company? They are all buying the yarn from the same place. Good example of this phenomenon is when the loop yarn came out…how many companies had the exact same yarn?

Marly Bird

The One and Only, Marly

Marly is a knitwear and crochet designer (and yarn addict) that is here to help you learn how to knit and crochet in a way that's fun and approachable.

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