Discovering Affordable Yarns: A Guide to Crafting on a Budget

As a passionate knitter or crocheter, you know that yarn is the foundation of every project. However, finding high-quality yarns without breaking the bank can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are several ways to source affordable, discounted, and even free yarns. In this guide, we’ll explore various strategies to help you get the best deals on yarn, allowing you to craft beautiful projects without compromising your budget.

1. Take Advantage of Sales and Discounts

Seasonal Sales and Holiday Discounts Many yarn companies offer significant discounts during seasonal sales and holidays. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and post-holiday sales are excellent times to stock up on yarn. Keep an eye on your favorite yarn websites and sign up for their newsletters to stay informed about upcoming sales.

Clearance Sections Most yarn stores, both online and brick-and-mortar, have clearance sections where you can find yarns at heavily discounted prices. These are often discontinued lines or end-of-season colors, so it’s a great opportunity to snag high-quality yarns at a fraction of the original cost.

Check out Lion Brand’s Clearance Section

Knit Picks Sales Section

Hobbii Yarns: Check out Sales & Discontinued Sections

Discontinued Yarns While purchasing discontinued yarns has its risks, it can also come with a hefty discount. Whether I know what I’m going to make when purchasing discontinued yarn or not, I try to purchase enough to make an afghan or a long dress to be sure I don’t run out of yarn mid-project. Should I end up making something smaller, I have the added bonus of enough yarn for 2 or more projects instead. For example, if it is a worsted weight or thicker yarn, I’m buying enough yarn to make a large afghan. If it is a dk weight or thinner, I’m buying enough yarn to make a long dress.

Hobbii Yarn’s recently discounted their Mega Ball Aran Yarn recently. You can get it for a great price HERE. And it is the yarn I used to make several patterns including the Waverly Crochet Afghan Pattern HERE. they also discontinued the Baby Organic Cotton Colorpacks that I used to make the Gigi Crochet Duster Pattern.

Affiliate Links Utilizing affiliate links can also save you money. I partner with several yarn companies to bring you exclusive discounts. Check out my affiliate links to explore some fantastic deals on yarns. Purchasing through these links not only saves you money but also supports my work, allowing me to continue creating patterns and tutorials.

Crafting on a Budget is easy when you are a savvy shopper!

2. Buy in Bulk or Yarn Lots

Bulk Purchases Many yarn companies offer discounts for bulk purchases. If you have a large project in mind or want to stock up on your favorite yarn, buying in bulk can be a cost-effective option. Some stores even provide additional discounts for wholesale orders.

Yarn Lots on Online Marketplaces Websites like eBay, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace often have sellers offering yarn lots. These can include several skeins of the same or different yarns, usually at a reduced price. It’s a great way to get a variety of yarns for your stash.

Knit Picks Yarns offers bulk discounts.

Amazon Discounted and Bulk Yarns

3. Join Yarn Subscription Boxes

Yarn subscription boxes are a fun and affordable way to receive a curated selection of yarns each month. These boxes often come with patterns and other goodies, providing excellent value for money. By subscribing, you can discover new yarns at a lower cost than buying them individually.

You can also get bonus first time yarn shopping discounts for subscribing to a website’s mailing list.

4. Explore Thrift Stores and Estate Sales

Thrift Stores Local thrift stores and charity shops can be treasure troves for yarn enthusiasts. You might find unused skeins, partially used balls, or even entire collections of yarn at a fraction of the retail price. Visit these stores regularly, as their inventory changes frequently.

Estate Sales and Garage Sales Estate sales and garage sales are other excellent sources for affordable yarn. Many people sell their craft supplies, including yarn, at these events. You can often negotiate prices, making it a budget-friendly way to expand your yarn collection.

5. Utilize Online Coupon Codes and Cashback Apps

Coupon Codes Before making any online purchase, search for coupon codes that can be applied to your order. Websites like RetailMeNot and Honey aggregate discount codes for various online stores, including yarn retailers.

Cashback Apps Cashback apps and browser extensions like Rakuten (formerly Ebates) and Honey can help you earn cashback on your yarn purchases. Simply activate the extension before you shop, and you’ll receive a percentage of your purchase back in the form of cashback.

Get in the habit of regularly watching out for sales, promotions and deals to be successful at Crafting on a Budget!

6. Join Yarn Swaps and Community Groups

Yarn Swaps Participating in yarn swaps is a fun way to get new yarns while sharing your excess stash with others. Look for local yarn swap events or join online groups dedicated to yarn swapping. It’s a great way to refresh your stash without spending a dime.

Community Groups Online communities, such as Ravelry, Facebook groups, and Reddit, often have members selling or trading yarn. These platforms can be a goldmine for finding affordable yarns and connecting with fellow crafters.

Participate in Contests! Whether it is a Youtube Yarn review or an Instagram yarn unboxing, often you can leave a comment or follow a set of simple rules to enter to win free yarn. Your chances of winning are pretty high – if you compare it to wining the lottery!

7. DIY Yarn from Recycled Materials

Recycled Yarn Consider making your own yarn from recycled materials. Old sweaters can be unraveled to create new skeins of yarn. Thrift stores and clearance racks are great places to find inexpensive sweaters made from high-quality fibers. With a little patience, you can repurpose them into beautiful new yarn.

T-Shirt Yarn T-shirt yarn is another eco-friendly and affordable option. You can make it by cutting old t-shirts into strips and stretching them into yarn. This type of yarn is perfect for sturdy projects like rugs, baskets, and bags.

To help you get started with these budget-friendly yarns, check out my collection of patterns that you can use with any of these affordable yarn options. Don’t forget to visit my affiliate yarn companies for exclusive discounts and deals on high-quality yarns.

• Shop Kristin Omdahl Crochet Patterns
• Shop Kristin Omdahl Knitting Patterns

 

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By exploring these methods, you can enjoy your knitting and crochet projects without worrying about the cost. Remember, affordable yarn doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can find beautiful yarns that fit your budget and make stunning projects. Happy crafting!

 

Kristin Omdahl is the best-selling author of dozens of knit and crochet books; designer of almost 1,000 knit and crochet patterns; and producer of award-winning videos. You can join Kristin, a 20 year veteran in the crafting industry, weekly for The Kristin Omdahl Show podcast on YouTube and browse through thousands of tutorial videos there, too. 

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