Save Money on Yarn!
If you’re anything like me, you love a good yarn haul, but you also know that it can add up fast! This year, I’m putting myself on a self-imposed yarn budget, and I wanted to share some of my best tips with you in case you’re looking to save money too. Whether you’re on a strict budget or just want to be more intentional with your purchases, these ideas might help!
Track Sales and Plan Ahead
One of the best ways to get yarn for less is to keep an eye on sales. If you have a favorite store—whether it’s Hobby Lobby, KnitPicks, Lion Brand, or somewhere else—look back at past sales and see if there’s a pattern. For example, Hobby Lobby typically has a big discontinued yarn sale every June and a dye lot sale in September. If you know these things in advance, you can plan your spending around them!
Also, check out YouTubers who share their hauls. If you notice they tend to post about big sales at the same time each year, that’s a clue to when you should be looking for deals. It’s all about strategy over impulsivity!
Set a Yarn Budget
Speaking of strategy, one of the best things you can do is set a budget and stick to it. Instead of buying yarn impulsively every month, try setting aside a little bit of money so that when a big sale happens, you have more to spend. For example, if you save $25 a month, by the time a major sale comes around, you might have $100 to work with instead of feeling like you have to miss out.
It’s not about never buying yarn—it’s about being intentional and making sure your purchases align with your long-term goals.
Buy in a Color Scheme
Now, I have talked about this before, and I swear by it, even though those videos don’t always get the most love! Buying yarn in a color scheme can save you so much money because it makes your stash more versatile.
I’ve realized I gravitate toward certain colors, and I love coordinating my projects so that they mix and match with my wardrobe. This means I don’t need a hundred different hats in all different colors—just a few that go with multiple outfits!
This also helps when you’re working from your stash. If you tend to buy similar fibers and colors, you’re more likely to already have something that works for a project instead of having to buy more.
Check Discount Stores and Secondhand Sales
If you’re looking for cheap yarn, always check the clearance sections at your favorite stores, but make sure you buy enough to complete a project! A couple of skeins on clearance won’t save you money if you end up needing to buy more later at full price.
Other great places to check:
Discount stores like Ollie’s (if you have one near you!)
Estate sales—you’d be surprised how often you can find fabric, buttons, and even bags of yarn
Garage sales and rummage sales—especially citywide sales where you can hit a bunch in one day
Facebook Marketplace and Etsy—sometimes people sell their stash for cheap, though you have to sift through the overpriced stuff
Let People Know You Use Yarn!
This one might sound random, but if you’re a knitter or crocheter, don’t be shy about letting people know! I wear a lot of handmade items, and people notice. I’ve actually been gifted some amazing yarn just because someone was cleaning out their stash and wanted it to go to someone who would use it. It doesn’t happen all the time, but you never know!
Final Thoughts
If you’re not on a budget right now, that’s totally fine! But if you’re looking to be more mindful of your yarn spending, I hope these tips help. I’d love to be your budgeting buddy this year, and we can work on being strategic together!
Watch the YouTube Video!