The Port of Halifax, located at 1215 Marginal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, is where cruise ships dock while visiting our beautiful province. It is also centrally located to begin your walking or transportation-required trips for the day.
We have four yarn locations for you to consider while you are visiting. Two of the four are Michaels Stores (Canada) and two independent shops. One is within walking distance, and the other three are a taxi ride. Uber and Lyft also operate in Halifax.
Four Locations within 25 Minutes:
Details below with website links to check their stores hours.
- 22 Minutes Taxi - Michaels Stores - 45 Washmill Lake Court, Halifax, Nova Scotia
- 20 Minutes Taxi - Michaels Stores - 15 Lemlair Row, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
- 10 Minutes Taxi - LK Yarns - 5525 Young Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia
- 14 Minutes WALK - The Loop - 1557 Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia
YouTube Review of the Port of Halifax
This gentleman reviewed the Port of Halifax. He does a great job of showing you the region and things to do. I watched the video to ensure quality and accuracy.
Currently, there are 39 dedicated yarn shops in Nova Scotia. This number can change, be sure to check out their websites to ensure they are still in operation and/or their service hours.
Michaels Stores (Canada)
Michaels Stores (Canada) is the same store as Michaels Stores USA, but with slightly different operations. There are only 142 stores across Canada, and within 20-ish minutes of the Port of Halifax, you have two locations to choose from.
If you have not been to a Michaels before and are visiting from a region where the big box retailer doesn't exist, you may want to consider a visit. Other big box retailers and restaurants surround both locations.
First Location
Michaels Stores—45 Washmill Lake Court, Halifax, Nova Scotia—is located in a region called Bayer's Lake. This region of Halifax is quickly becoming a mega shopping district. You will find stores like Walmart, Costco, and others. Daniel and I usually stop for lunch and eat at Ela! Greek Tavern Restaurant, which is located in this area. We also sometimes stop at Ray's Lebanese Cuisine. Both are locally owned and operated restaurants.
This location does not have to jump over the harbour and is a straight shot out of downtown. It is about 22 minutes from the Port of Halifax.
Disclaimer: I have not been to this location, but friends tell me the selection is good. There is not a lot of yarn shown on The Crochet Crowd, as Michaels has been moving more to its own branding of Loops & Threads.
Second Location
Michaels Stores—15 Lemlair Road, Dartmouth Crossing, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia—is the second location I have been to. Like the other location, this is a large-format Michaels. It is also located in a shopping district with other stores.
In this location, you will cross the harbour on the suspension bridge you would have seen from the cruise ship.
Unique to Canada
Yarn crafts are a huge hobby, if not possibly the largest hobby in Canada. Our Michaels locations tend to be filled with yarn depending on the region. The region dictates the volume of yarn carried within the location.
Unlike the United States, retail in Canada is not as opportunistic. This means we don't have many competitors, such as the former Joann Fabrics & Crafts and Hobby Lobby, like the USA. Not all Michaels in Canada have sprawling yarn aisles like I show here at our local Michaels, but many do, and it depends on the consumers who live in the region.
One last mention, I would not recommend jumping in a taxi to the New Minas, Nova Scotia, Michaels where my local group meets. Yes, we have one of the cleanest and bright locations of Michaels here, but the store is also one of the smallest formats and is missing items that you would find at the locations closer to the Port of Halifax. You will have far greater choices in the Halifax or Dartmouth stores.
LK Yarns
LK Yarns is located at 5525 Young Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia. This is approximately 10 10-minute taxi ride to this location. It's located in a historical part of Halifax called Hydrostone Market.
It features basic yarns but also exotic fibres that tempt your eyes and ideas as you look. This location is pretty compact but jam-packed with up to 56 brands of yarn. A couple of brands that I really like and are Canadian-made are Briggs & Little, which is made in New Brunswick, Canada. The manufacturer is one of the oldest woollen mill shops in Canada.
The second is Fleece Artist. It is made in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the colour dye jobs are phenomenal. The National Parks of Canada series is out of this world gorgeous as they tie in the dyes with the colours you see in the parks. Fantastic.
Another stop to eat I loved was Lucy's Hydrostone Cafe, which is pretty much beside LK Yarns. It is a local coffee shop with scrumptious treats to enjoy.
The Loop
The Loop is about a 15-minute walk from the Port of Halifax, 1557 Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia. I've not been to The Loop based on its location. I'm not a city person, and this is the downtown core. They also have brands you may recognize, such as Wool and The Gang, Fleece Artist, Drop, and Noro, to name a few.
I don't have firsthand experience of this location, but based on its location, it's a good walk and I passed by other local stores. I attended a YouTube conference near this location, but it was a Sunday morning, and I was on a mission to learn things without intending to stay in the city after it was over.
Disclaimer: This location has mixed reviews about the store's positives and negatives. Based on the reviews, I would probably go to LK Yarns first; if time permits, check out this store.
The Crochet Crowd Location
Some cruise ship tours come north to our region to visit the wineries in our most picturesque regions. Tour buses visit places like Luckett Vineyards for a tour and possibly lunch overlooking the Minas Basin, which is pretty much our backyard up here. Even as a local, it's a beautiful lunch experience.
The Crochet Crowd is not a public studio or store, planning to stop should not be on your list.
Robin says
This is awesome! I just have to decide on the timing. Thank you very much!