What Berroco does

Berroco is a privately held, family-owned US yarn and craft pattern company founded in 1968 by Warren and Caroline Wheelock, headquartered in Grand Prairie, Texas, with a distribution warehouse in Rhode Island. The company designs, sources, and distributes its own branded yarn lines — including Vintage, Remix, Ultra Alpaca, Comfort, and a broad portfolio of cotton, alpaca, linen, cashmere, and specialty blends — alongside five partner brands (Lopi, Amano, Lang, WoolAddicts, West Yorkshire Spinners) for which it serves as North American distributor. Its Remix line uses a French-patented low-impact garnetting process that converts pre-dyed European recycled textiles into new yarn, eliminating water-intensive re-dyeing.

The company operates a wholesale-only go-to-market: it does not sell yarn directly to consumers. Instead, it supplies independent Local Yarn Stores (LYS) across the US and Canada, supplemented by the Berroco 123 DropShip program, which allows US-based LYS to place orders that Berroco fulfills directly to consumer homes from its Rhode Island warehouse via USPS. Revenue streams therefore consist of wholesale yarn sales, partner-brand distribution take, paid PDF pattern sales, and pattern booklet wholesale. The company also operates an online pattern storefront and a tiered ecosystem of free patterns, paid PDFs, and pattern booklets designed to drive yarn demand.

Customer acquisition is community-led rather than retail-led: Berroco runs recurring Mystery Blanket Knit-Alongs (e.g., Cable Craze KAL 2026, Vintage MKAL 2025) with prize incentives, maintains a blog and YouTube tutorial library, distributes the KnitBits newsletter, and sustains an active presence on Ravelry. The company is small (11-50 employees), profitable on a private basis, and has no disclosed outside investors, parent company, or M&A activity.

Name

Berroco

Legal name

Berroco, Inc.

Website

https://berroco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Berroco is a family-owned US yarn and craft pattern company, founded in 1968, that designs and distributes its own branded yarns plus five international partner brands exclusively through independent Local Yarn Stores in the US and Canada, including via its DropShip direct-to-consumer fulfillment program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Yarn and Craft Supplies

NAICS

Clothing and Clothing Accessories Merchant Wholesalers (42435), Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills (31311)

SIC

Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130), Knitting Mills (2250)

akta.pro primary industry

Textiles & Fabric / Piece Goods Wholesale (CRAOADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Yarn, Knitting & Crochet Supplies Retail (CRALACAF), Textured & Specialty Yarn Manufacturing (Textured/Chenille/Bouclé) (IMAOAAAF)

Keywords

• Yarn manufacturing
• Knitting patterns
• Recycled yarn
• Craft supplies
• Wholesale yarn distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Smithfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Yarn Sales: Berroco generates revenue through wholesale distribution of their yarn products exclusively to Local Yarn Stores (LYS). They do not sell directly to consumers. Orders flow through LYS with Berroco shipping directly to consumer homes via the DropShip program or LYS fulfilling to customers.
2. Pattern Sales (PDF): Berroco sells select single pattern PDFs through their website and pattern booklets through dealers. Free patterns are also available to drive yarn sales and community engagement.
3. Partner Brand Distribution: In addition to Berroco-branded yarns, the company distributes partner brands including Lopi, Amano, Lang, WoolAddicts, and West Yorkshire Spinners, generating revenue through these complementary product lines.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Berroco manufactures and distributes a wide portfolio of yarn products across multiple fiber types, weights, and colorways under its own brand and for partner labels (Lopi, Amano, Lang, WoolAddicts, West Yorkshire Spinners). The company sells exclusively wholesale through Local Yarn Stores (LYS) in the US and Canada, supports retailers via the Berroco 123 DropShip program that ships direct to consumers from a Rhode Island warehouse, and offers free and paid PDF knitting and crochet patterns to drive yarn demand.

Product overview

Berroco is a yarn and craft pattern company founded in 1968, offering a diverse portfolio of yarn products across multiple fiber types, weights, and colorways. The core product lines include the Vintage family (Vintage, Vintage Chunky, Vintage DK, Vintage Baby, Vintage Sock, and Handpaint variants), the recycled Remix line (Remix, Remix DK, Remix Light, Remix Chunky), the Ultra Alpaca series (Ultra Alpaca, Ultra Alpaca Chunky, Ultra Alpaca Light, Ultra Alpaca Natural), Comfort blends, and various specialty yarns. The company also distributes partner brands including Lopi, Amano, Lang, WoolAddicts, and West Yorkshire Spinners. Berroco offers both free and paid knitting and crochet patterns across categories including cardigans, blankets, home items, and accessories. Educational resources include a Learning Center with tutorials, pattern booklets organized by season, and community knit-along events. The Berroco 123 DropShip program enables orders through local yarn stores with direct-to-consumer shipping.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Berroco Vintage Yarn Family Machine-washable blend yarn (52% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 8% Nylon) available in 100+ colors with 218 yards per 100g hank. Available across Vintage, Vintage Chunky, Vintage DK, Vintage Baby, Vintage Sock, and Handpaint variants. Sold wholesale to Local Yarn Stores.
• Berroco Remix Recycled Yarn Family 100% recycled yarn made from post-industrial textiles collected in Europe and processed via a patented low-impact French garnetting method. Eliminates re-dyeing by blending pre-dyed fibers. Range includes Remix Worsted, Remix Light (432 yards/100g), Remix Chunky, and Remix Wool DK. Sold wholesale to LYS.
• Berroco Ultra Alpaca Yarn Family Alpaca-blend yarn line in multiple weights (Ultra Alpaca, Ultra Alpaca Chunky, Ultra Alpaca Light, Ultra Alpaca Natural, Ultra Alpaca Chunky Natural) and a fine-wool Ultra Wool Fine variant. Sold wholesale to LYS.
• Berroco Comfort Yarn Family Comfort yarn line in DK and Chunky weights, a soft easy-care blend for knitters and crocheters. Sold wholesale to Local Yarn Stores.
• Berroco Cotton and Linen Blend Yarns Range of cotton- and linen-blend yarns including Pima Soft, Tillie, Bozzolo, Lumi, Spree, Modern Linen, and Modern Comfort, targeted at warm-weather garments and household projects. Sold wholesale to LYS.
• Berroco Specialty Yarns Specialty yarn offerings including Stratto, Nuvola, Merino 401 Chunky, Brina, Biella, Aerial Dégradé, Aurelia, Gianna, Vellina, Mirelle, Emberstone, Vera, Paperie, Iris, Carousel, Summer Sesame, Sesame, Sox, and Lanas Light, covering a range of fiber blends, weights, and color effects. Sold wholesale to LYS.
• Partner Yarn Brand Distribution Berroco distributes partner yarn brands in North America: Lopi (Icelandic), Amano (premium), Lang (Swiss), WoolAddicts, and West Yorkshire Spinners (UK). Sold wholesale through the Berroco LYS network and DropShip program.
• Seasonal Pattern Booklets Seasonal printed pattern collections such as the Cozy Crochet Collection (Fall/Winter crochet designs) and the Hiberknits Collection (contemporary knit designs). Sold through Berroco Dealers.
• Cable Craze Blanket Knit-Along 2026 Community knit-along event offering 12 monthly cable pattern PDFs, video tutorials, and Ravelry-based project sharing with prize incentives, designed to drive yarn sales and community engagement.
• Norah's Vintage Afghan Free Pattern Free downloadable PDF pattern designed by Norah Gaughan for a 20-block afghan, intended to drive yarn sales and support community engagement.
• Paid PDF Pattern Store Online storefront selling select single pattern PDFs directly through the Berroco website, in addition to free patterns.
• Berroco 123 DropShip Program Wholesale fulfillment service allowing participating US Local Yarn Stores to place orders that Berroco ships directly to consumers' homes from its Rhode Island warehouse via USPS. Currently available to US-based LYS only.

Quantifiable outcome

• Remix Light contains 432 yards per 100g ball - exceptionally high yardage for DK weight yarn
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• LopicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIcelandic yarn brand distributed by Berroco. Products available through Berroco's LYS network and DropShip program. Lopi specializes in traditional Icelandic wool yarns.
• AmanocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium yarn brand distributed by Berroco. Available through Berroco's Local Yarn Store network and DropShip program. Viewable at amanoyarns.com.
• LangcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss yarn brand distributed by Berroco in the North American market. Products available through Berroco LYS network and DropShip program.
• WoolAddictscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYarn brand distributed by Berroco. Available through Berroco's Local Yarn Store network and DropShip program. Website at wooladdicts.com.
• West Yorkshire SpinnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK yarn brand distributed by Berroco in North America. Available through Berroco's LYS network and DropShip program. Website at wyspinners.com.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Knit Picks (WeCrochet / Craftsy): Online and wholesale yarn brand offering a broad portfolio of yarns, patterns, and tools to both consumers and LYS. Directly comparable product range and craft-community focus to Berroco, with a stronger direct-to-consumer footprint.
• Cascade Yarns: US-based yarn company distributing a wide range of natural and blended yarns through LYS and online retailers. Closely comparable wholesale-to-LYS model and similar fiber breadth to Berroco.
• Plymouth Yarn Company: Wholesale yarn distributor serving LYS with an extensive portfolio of yarns and pattern support. Operates the same LYS-channel go-to-market and comparable product breadth as Berroco.
• Tahki Stacy Charles: Premium yarn importer and distributor (including Rowan, Sirdar, and other heritage labels) serving LYS in North America. Comparable LYS-channel distribution and pattern-driven model to Berroco, with a more European/import-skewed portfolio.
• West Yorkshire Spinners (WYS): UK-based yarn manufacturer whose North American distribution is handled by Berroco. Direct upstream partner and like-for-like spinning/mill competitor to Berroco's own mill relationships.
• Lopi / Ístex: Icelandic wool yarn brand also distributed by Berroco in North America. Same yarn-product category and LYS go-to-market; competes with Berroco's own yarn lines on shelf at LYS.
• Lang Yarns: Swiss yarn brand whose North American distribution is handled by Berroco. Direct peer in the yarn-mill category, with comparable premium positioning and pattern-driven sales model.

Broad incumbents

• Lion Brand Yarn: One of the largest US yarn manufacturers and distributors with a broad fiber portfolio and both retail and wholesale channels. Overlaps with Berroco on yarn products and LYS distribution but operates at significantly greater scale.
• Red Heart (Coats & Clark): Mass-market yarn brand owned by Coats Group with very broad fiber assortment and presence in big-box and craft stores as well as LYS. Larger scale, broader channel, and overlapping end consumer as Berroco.

Emerging players

• LoveCrafts: PE-backed global online marketplace for yarn, fabric, and patterns connecting makers with independent brands. Competes with Berroco indirectly by aggregating demand and offering direct shipping alternatives to LYS.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLYThYmi8C3Q9rzs59Alb66RipGdvzEL_9

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Berroco