Knitting & Crochet
How to save money on yarn: the long and short of it
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Knitting & Crochet
How to save money on yarn: the long and short of it
If you want the best quality knits you need to buy the most expensive yarn, right? Wrong. Here, four ways to curb the price tag of your new hobby without sacrificing on quality.
Knitting has made a massive comeback, thanks to great communities, a renewed interest in handmade wares and even as a way to stay productive while binge-watching Netflix. So you’ve picked up this great hobby and can start creating some fashionable, customized new threads. DIY-ing garments and gifts will be a great way to save money too, right? Not always.
If you've ever taken on a knitting project you know how quickly things can get out of hand, price-wise. You might find a lovely pattern for $6 on Ravelry (the go-to online knitting community), then pop into your local yarn shop to find the nice alpaca yarn recommended by the pattern. Only $11 a ball? That sounds reasonable. Well, when you check the yardage you need for your sweater it works out to—9 balls of yarn PLUS needles? You’re suddenly looking at over $100 for a sweater you then have to construct yourself for upwards of 50 hours. Personally, if I’m going to spend $100 on a sweater it better be softer than that spot behind a kitten’s ear and be hand delivered to me in bed.
The best advice I can share with a new knitter on a budget is this: there’s always a cheaper option. You don’t have to use the yarn the pattern recommends—but there are certain parameters you need to stay within to still get the most out of your knititng project.
Choose a yarn the same "weight" as the pattern recommends
It’s important when selecting a yarn for a specific pattern that the weight and gauge is the same as the recommended yarn. For example, if the pattern is for a light summer cardigan and you choose a thick, chunky yarn you’re not going to achieve the right effect and the fit could be way off. Here are some budget-friendly substitutions by weight that I often use:
- For DK, Sport or Lightweight yarn, try Astra Yarn by Patrons ($3.49, yarncanada.ca.)
- For a Worsted, Aran or Medium weight yarn a good option is Simply Soft Yarn by Caron ($6.88, loveknitting.com.)
- A nice Chunky or Bulky weight yarn is Woolspun Yarn by Lion's Pride (starting at $5.99, lionbrand.com.)
Selecting a fibre
The type of fibre you choose for your project is where you can find the most savings. If I’m interested in a pattern that recommends a 100% hand-dyed Peruvian wool that costs $22.95 per skein, you can bet I’ll be looking for a cheaper acrylic option.
For example, my favourite sweater I’ve knit is the Miette cardigan by Andi Satterlund (FREE pattern on Ravelry). It recommends a 100% Merino wool yarn that adds up to around $30. I substituted an old favourite, Red Heart Super Saver yarn I got on sale for $2.94 at Walmart and the result was fantastic.
Yardage
This one is non-negotiable: you can’t mess with the yardage recommended in a pattern. Yardage refers to how many yards of yarn you require to complete the item. If you buy too little your big slouchy sweater could end up a crop top, or your throw blanket could end up a hanky.
Here’s a tip: it’s always best to buy an extra ball of yarn just in case, but keep the receipt! Most yarn stores will refund or exchange any unused balls of yarn.
When to splurge
The rule I follow for splurging on yarn is simple. If I have to have it… I have to have it. #yarnlove is real. Sometimes a fibre delights your senses so much that the thought of it running over your fingers for hours of knitting is too delicious to pass up. But, shop around. Big box stores often have great sales, and keep your eyes out for promotions at your local yarn shop.
One of the many joys of knitting is the ability to customize what you’re making so don’t feel tied to any particular yarn. Experiment! If a piece ends up not to your liking you can have a fresh start with the pull of a thread.
Find Amy Lockwood always knitting on Instagram: @lil_wooly
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