FAQ’s

ABOUT SHOP UPDATES AND THE AVAILABILITY OF YAMA YARN:

Q: Can I buy a kit to knit the same sweater that you knitted and showed on Instagram?

No I do not sell kits to replicate my knits, but you can pick similar colours from my next shop update! I show my knitting projects on social media to promote experimenting and having fun with colourwork knitting. Using my photos as inspiration, pick and choose skeins to knit your very own version of the sweater that you have in mind. I create 3-4 collections of Yama Yarn in a year and each collection consists of an array of beautiful colourways ~ these skeins are the "tubes of paint", collect a palette that you love and start painting with yarn! I do put together colour bundles of shades that look great together ~ look out for these in the shop updates if you struggle choosing your own colours.

Q: How do I purchase Yama Yarn?

Yama Yarn is sold online at Yamayarn.com ~ I create 3 to 4 unique collections through the year which become available on the website during shop updates. The shop remains empty between updates. Worldwide shipping via DHL's very reliable and efficient courier service. Small collections are also available from time to time at Loop London, in store and online.

Q: When is the next shop update?

April 2026 ~ keep an eye on my Instagram posts for more information.

Q: What time will the shop update go live?

The specific time of shop updates will not be advertised, I do however post on Instagram once an update goes live ~ make sure not to miss any posts by signing up for IG notifications, see here how to do this.

Q: Everything is sold out..

Yama Yarn is a one person business, skeins will always be limited. Please look out for the next shop update!

Q: I had skeins in my cart but couldn't check out?

Skeins are only reserved once an order was successfully checked out and paid for. While in the cart, the stock can still sell out. In this case, it will not be possible to check out an order until the sold out items were removed from the cart. 

On occasion skeins may oversell due to high traffic volumes on the website during shop updates. If an order cannot be fulfilled, the skeins that are not available will be refunded.

ABOUT SHIPPING, IMPORT COSTS, MULTIPLE ORDERS & CURRENCY:

Shipping is at own risk and no insurance is included in the shipping fees. Yama Yarn can not offer refunds on lost or damaged parcels. To add insurance at an additional cost, please contact Madeleine via the Contact page as soon as an order was placed and a quote will be provided prior to shipping.

Q: Do you ship to my country?

Yes I ship worldwide via DHL door-to-door couriers, a reliable and fast service with comprehensive online tracking, see the rates below. Rates are reviewed for every shop update. Shipping within South Africa is via the Courier Guy.

Q: How much does shipping cost to countries outside of South Africa? 

Shipping costs are reviewed before each shop update and adjusted based on ZAR/USD exchange and fuel price. Costs include Paypal and bank transaction fees.

NO VAT, import taxes or duties are included in the pricing on this website - where applicable, these charges will be payable by the receiver to the authorities in their country prior to delivery.

Annual DHL rate increase on January 1st of each year. 

December 2025 ~ to ship a parcel containing between 1-14 skeins via DHL couriers:

USD46 - Africa, Western & Central Europe

USD55 - USA  

USD65 - Eastern Europe, Middle East, Eastern Asia, Southern Asia, Japan, Asia Pacific, Canada & South America

Larger parcels are charged according to the weight and volumetric size of the parcel. 

Addresses to countries where DHL have less coverage (especially to Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Japan) or addresses in outlaying areas will attract a "remote area surcharge" of approx. USD30. Shipments to Canada currently have a higher rate than other countries in zone 3 and additional charges may be required. High risk areas (especially the Middle East) attracts a risk surcharge of USD42 or no delivery option within a particular time frame. Additional charges will be billed for separately via Paypal. Surcharged parcels are only shipped once full payment was received.

Q: What about VAT, import taxes, duties and any related fees? 

Customers are responsible for any VAT, import taxes, customs duties and/or related fees that may be applicable in their country. The pricing on Yamayarn.com does NOT include any VAT or import charges. EU customers please be aware that new VAT rules for e-commerce came into effect on 1 July 2021, and it can be expected that VAT will now be payable on the arrival of your parcel. US customers can expect to pay customs duties on all parcels as per new import regulations that came into effect on 29 August 2025.

Q: Can multiple orders be combined?

Yes, I do combine multiple orders into one parcel when possible and calculate a refund for overpaid shipping costs.This service of combining and refunding attracts a USD12 fee. Note that on larger combined orders it is often still more cost effective to ship as multiple parcels, depending on how the yarns fit into the standard DHL packaging. Insurance will automatically be added to combined parcels to the USA of 10 and more skeins. Refunds are paid via PayPal 3-4 weeks after shipping. Multiple orders for delivery within South Africa will be combined but no refunds will be calculated.

Q: How long will it take for my parcel to be delivered?

Typically parcels to Europe and the US are delivered within a few days and within 1-2 weeks to most other destinations. Full tracking is available via the DHL website.

Q: I live outside of South Africa but will be visiting soon, can I have my order shipped to a South African address?

Yes you can ~ payment will still be in USD via Paypal, but the shipping charge will be for local delivery: at check out, fill out your correct address under "billing address" and under "shipping address" the street address in South Africa where the parcel can be shipped to, include a local telephone number for the person who will receive the parcel in South Africa. 

Q: Can I shop in the ZAR currency if I do not live in South Africa, it seems cheaper?

The Rand (ZAR) currency is only availlable to South African customers paying from a South African bank account and shipping to a South African delivery address. Everyone else will be charged in USD via Paypal. USD pricing includes transaction fees (Paypal + local bank fees).

OTHER FAQ's:

Q: Can I visit your store? I am visiting Cape Town soon, can I place an order?

I do not have a brick and mortar shop, the yarn is sold via the website at shop updates only. I do not take pre-orders or custom orders.

Q: Is Yama Yarn available via other stores / I own a yarn shop, can I stock your yarn?

Yama Yarn is sold via Yamayarn.com during shop updates and occasional batches of yarn at Loop London in store and online.

Q: When will a certain colourway be available again?

I prepare a unique collection for each shop update ~ most colourways do not repeat, but similar shades will come around! Please browse the next shop update.

Q: Do you send newsletters, do you have a Patreon page?

Currently I only post on Instagram ~ please follow along for shop news.

Q: What dyes do you use, is it harmful?

The dyes are weak acid dyes that are fixed with common white vinegar or food grade citric acid and heat, and are non-hazardous when used correctly. Fibre, yarn and textiles dyed with these dyes can be worn against the skin without risk. The dyes comply with EU regulations and the manufacturers confirm that cloth dyed with there dyes can be certified under the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. This standard is the most widely known standard for certification of ecologically-safe clothing. Detailed information can be found under https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/standard-100-by-oeko-tex. The dyes pose no risk to the environment if the dye liquid is neutralised with baking soda before disposal in the waste water system. 

Q: Will the colour bleed?

The yarn will not bleed when soaking in cool water. Dark, saturated colours can give off some residual colour on your hands while working with it ~ this is called "crocking". To reduce crocking, dark skeins can be rinsed and dried again before winding into a ball to work with it. More info about crocking under Care Instructions.