How to Save Money on Yarn – 7 Great Ideas
Buying yarn and other supplies can get SO expensive, and nobody wants to break the bank every time a new crochet project is planned. This post will guide you through what to do and give you 7 great ideas on how to save money on yarn without taking the fun out of crocheting.
Read the blog post or Download The Free Guide – 7 Ways to Save Money on Yarn.
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No. 1: NEVER EVER Pay Full Price
When it comes to the question of how to save money on yarn — and really saving money on anything — the No. 1 tip is to NEVER EVER pay full price! If you only take one money saving tip with you after reading this blog post, this is it!
You can save money on yarn and NOT pay full price in three ways:
1. Watch the Sales
Every once in a while, most yarn stores host sales. You can often save a lot of money if you have some patience and wait for a sale. This might seem a bit old-fashioned and like a no-brainer money saving tip, but really, it is worth waiting for.
2. Shop Online
When you know what kind of yarn you need for a specific project, search for the yarn online. You might not be able to feel the yarn and hold it in your hands, but you may be surprised by how much money you can save by shopping online and investing a little time doing research.
Shopping online can also make it easier to compare prices, find cheap yarn for crochet, and check whether another store has the same yarn for less.
3. Discount codes and special member offers
Discount codes can really be a big help when you are looking for the answer to how to save money on yarn. Yarn companies will from time to time send discount codes when you have signed up to receive their newsletter — often as a members-only offer. You can also try to look for discount codes online before buying.
So the No. 1 money-saving tip is: NEVER EVER Pay Full Price!
No. 2: Get Social (the coziest money-saving tip)
Being social can do you good in so many ways. You get to share ideas and thoughts with other makers – and that in itself is very rewarding. Also, you can benefit from being social and exchanging yarn with other makers. Try this:
1. Host a Yarn Swap party
This is by far the coziest way to save money on yarn and at the same time de-clutter your own yarn stash 😄 If you’re lucky enough to have other makers in your social network, all you have to do is invite them over, and prepare some snacks.
The deal is that everyone bring the yarn they want to trade, start to look through each other’s yarn, and begin swapping. Here are a few suggestions on how to swap, but please feel free to do it any way that suits you. You can, for example:
- Trade skein-for-skein
- Trade skein-for-skein within the same quality or weight of yarn
- Trade multiple partial skeins or lower-quality for one or two higher-quality skeins
You don’t necessarily have to choose one of these methods. They are just suggestions.
If you do not yet know any fellow makers in your area, try to google “Yarn meetup” and add the name of your city. The results may surprise you, and by participating in a yarn swap you can definitely save money on yarn. As a bonus, you now know some fellow makers too ☺️
2. Join Ravelry
If you have not already joined Ravelry, it is great to figure out how to do so and how it can help with how to save money on yarn.
Ravelry is like Facebook and other online marketplaces, but for makers using yarn. It is totally free to sign up. Here you can trade, sell, and swap yarns with other Ravelry users. Bonus: You can find lots of really gorgeous patterns, both free and paid.
No. 3: Go Shopping – Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, & Flea Markets
If you are looking for super cheap yarn for crochet, you have to try these places.
You can find both brand-new yarn and secondhand yarn, and you may be really surprised how much money you can save.
yard sales and flea markets
You can look up yard sales and flea markets on Facebook and Google, or even in your local newspaper. Also, always keep an eye open when you are out and about, and check for signs on the roadside announcing upcoming events.
thrift, antique, or secondhand stores
Also, you have to check out your local thrift, antique, or secondhand stores.. Here you can save some serious money on yarn. You can find all kinds of different yarns, both brand-new and secondhand.
When you buy secondhand yarn there’s one thing you need to remember: Wash it, then use it. Use a mild soap suitable for the yarn you’ve bought, hand-wash it, dry it, and you’re good to go.
This is a helpful option when you want cheap yarn for crochet, especially for blankets, accessories, swatches, practice pieces, and other budget crochet projects.
No. 4: Use Your Scrap Yarn
ReUse – ReThink – ReCycle – RePurpose!
These are the keywords of this section of the blog post.
If you are like most makers you probably have some (or maybe a lot😅) of scrap yarn stored in your stash. Get creative with it and think of small projects, even if all you have is bits and pieces.
Here are some ideas:
- Multicolored pom poms
- Scrunchies – check out this free crochet pattern
- Granny squares one color or more – check out this cardi pattern
- Keychains
- Bookmarks
- Beanies – check out this free crochet patterns
- Coasters
- Dishcloths – check out these free crochet patterns
Using your scrap yarn is a great way to save money on yarn.
It is also one of the easiest ways to create budget crochet projects, because you can make something useful from yarn you already own. And if you like, you can even sell these small projects — read more below in point No. 5 — and make money on your scraps💰
You’re also welcome to check out all of the Free patterns here on my blog and get ideas on what to make.
No. 5: Sell Your Work to Fund Your Hobby
Another super important tip on how to save money on yarn is this:
Sell your work and make money to fund your beloved hobby.
A lot of makers do this with great success. They either make things with the purpose of selling them at craft fairs, different markets, or online places like Etsy. Or they use their online profiles (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) to sell their makes on commission.
It is a great feeling to sell what you make and fund your hobby this way. It can also make it easier to buy better yarn later, because small finished pieces can help pay for new supplies 😄💰
No. 6: Transform Your Yarn into What You Need
Another great money-saving tip is to use what you have in your yarn stash before you go yarn shopping.
A fun way of doing this is to transform your yarn.
Let’s say you want to make a sweater, but you need a heavier-weight yarn than what you have in your stash. You have only got fine or lightweight yarn. Before you go buy new yarn, try combining the thinner yarns you already have to make a heavier-weight yarn. They do not even have to be the same kind.
How to transform your yarn:
- Hold two, three, or more strands of yarn together and work with them just like you would if they were one big strand of yarn
- Combine two or more different colors to create your own unique yarn
- Use the same kind of yarn held together
With this method, you can save a lot of money on yarn. Your imagination is the limit.
This is also a smart way to make budget crochet projects feel more interesting, because you can create new texture, color effects, and yarn weights from supplies you already have.
No. 7: Stick to your projects
This one is oh SO hard.
Once in a while, you get a sudden idea and you simply have to try this new technique and make something you cannot live without. Or find a pattern that you absolutely MUST try. But the cost is just 🤯
You could just go buy more yarn and close your eyes as you swipe the card. On the other hand, you could plan ahead. This way, you’ll be able to use all the tips described above to save money on yarn.
If you haven’t already, then go and download THE ULTIMATE CROCHET PLANNER for FREE which basically can be used by any kind of maker.
The planner can help you plan what to make season by season. When you plan ahead, it’s easier to stick to your projects and not get sudden “crazy” (read expensive) ideas.
The planner even has a gift planning section, so you never lose track of what you have planned to make as gifts. Planning ahead is one of the most practical ways to keep your crochet fun, organized, and more affordable.
Hopefully you found some useful ideas on how to save money on yarn and …
… you feel fully equipped next time you want to go shopping for yarn. You can download the printable version of this blog post so you never forget all the good advice🤩
Please pass on the tips, whisper them around and shout them from the rooftops. If you have any questions or thoughts I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Happy crocheting! 🧶✨
xx Sharlene
Looking for your next crochet project – great for stash busting?
- Aloha Crochet Market Bag
- Cute lace bandana / hip scarf pattern
- Practical Sunglasses Case (or phone case)
- Fun & quick scrunchie pattern
- Easy beginner beanie pattern
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