Lion Brand Yarn – A Family Owned and Popular Yarn for Both Crochet and Knitting

Throughout the United States, and in more than 20 other countries internationally, via craft chains and independent stores, Lion Brand® yarns are a favorite brand for knitters and crochet lovers alike. This beloved family-owned and operated business has been a well-known and loved American brand for nearly 150 years.

lion brand yarnLion Brand® is well-known for the variety and quality of the yarns it produces, as well as its pattern support. Their website is definitely worthy of a visit, because there are more than 3,700 knitting and crochet patterns. And they’re absolutely FREE. New additions are made every week, as well as helpful how-to’s, newsletters and much more.

The celebrity spokesperson of the brand is Vanna White, who co-hosts the Wheel of Fortune and is considered to be a crochet ambassador. In her honor, Lion Brand® have created a number of popular yarn lines, such as Vanna’s Choice®, Vanna’s Glamour®, and Vanna’s Choice Baby®. All of which are available online, and at a Lion Brand® yarn outlet. We’re pleased to declare them one of our favorites, not just for their quality of service, but because they’ve donated more than $1 million to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A portion of the sales proceeds of these yarns is donated to the same charity.




A selection of the yarns on offer from Lion Brand®

There are a number of different yarns available from the Lion Brand Yarn Company. They include 100% natural fibers such as cotton, alpaca, wool and cashmere, as well as blends and 100% acrylics. All are available in a variety of weights. In 2007, they came out with an organic cotton yarn. Let’s look at some of their most popular yarns.

Lion Brand Homespun – This is a textured yarn with a textured ripple made using acrylic. Its weight is chunky, but the ripple makes it very light for crocheting and knitting. The ripple also brings an attractive finish to the simplest of stitches. Great as a crochet yarn, it can be used to make breathtaking shawls and blankets, in a wide spectrum of colors. Including more classical colors, heathery shades along with Lion Brand’s variegated blends of color. The perfect tools for the job are 6mm needles or a 6.5mm hook.

Lion Brand Cotton Yarn – This yarn is actually no longer available, but we felt it worthy of a mention. Because of its popularity, there will still be plenty of people using it. It is made from 100% cotton, with 4-ply worsted weight, which makes for outstanding absorbency. This is the perfect yarn for placemats, washcloths, dishcloths, and other kitchen/bathroom/dining projects.

Lion Brand Sock Yarn – Sock-Ease™ is a traditional fingering-weight sock yarn that was designed to create flowing colors in the fabric, from a wide palette. It is great for knitting or crocheting, items such as scarves, socks and other accessories. It’s even finished with aloe vera that will make the knitting process far gentler on your hands.

A brief history of Lion Brand®

Lion Brand Yarns have been around since 1878. No wonder they have such a great reputation. The company was founded by the current owners great-grandfather Reuben. It was actually the brain-child of a group of salesmen and notions that included Reuben. While at the helm of the ship, Reuben added the import of yarns from Europe, to supplement their production in the US. Quite an unusual decision to make way back then.

Reuben’s son-in-law had three sons who ran the business from 1940 up until the early 1990s. Isidor, one of the son’s had a son himself, who was interested in joining the business and he is the current President and CEO. David Blumenthal began working for Lion Brand in 1969, and still very active in the company along with many other family members.

June 2013 saw David Blumenthal and Dean Blumenthal taking the stage to accept the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. It was awarded for their excellence in the category of ‘Family Business’.

Lion Brand certainly has lots to offer both crochet and knitting enthusiasts, as well as absolute beginners in the crafts. You can buy their yarns online and a local Lion Brand yarn outlet. If you visit their website you’ll be able to find out if there’s one nearby.