Discount Yarn -- Have You Looked Here?

But, there's a catch

Sometimes finding inexpensive yarn can be quite a challenge. If you've been striking out lately when it comes to finding good deals, maybe you've been looking in the wrong places. Here are three places for you to find low cost, high quality yarn with tips to make sure you get the best deal.

Bargain bins

Don't you just love a good bargain bin? It's like going on a treasure hunt. The key to finding good deals is to not got too excited, take your time and follow these guidelines.

-- Check color quality and make sure the yarn isn't faded from sun or chemical damage.

-- Check the dye lot numbers before you buy several skeins of the same color. If all the yarn hasn't been dyed in the same batch, even though the color name is the same, the colors might not match.

-- Check the date on each skein. If it's old, the yarn may be weak from dry rot.

-- Look for slubs. Using cheap, inferior materials makes blobs called slubs on the yarn. For some projects, like a textured sweater or afghan, this might not make a difference but on delicate projects like baby cardigans, it will look unsightly.

-- Check for damage from water or fire. You never know why some yarns end up in the bargain bin. It's possible the owner bought it by the lot after being exposed to fire or flooding.

-- Be on the lookout for seconds. Now, all seconds aren't bad - you just have to be careful. Sometimes when companies make mistakes, they often sell the product as seconds for greatly reduced prices.

Online stores

If you don't find anything in your local bargain bins or online auctions, try searching for 'discount yarn' online with your favorite search engine. Once you find some online stores you like, check their sales and sign up for their emails. Online stores usually send out emails letting you know when they have sales or bargains.

Remember to watch those shipping costs.

Online auction sites

Auction sites are another great place to find some good deals -- if you know what you're looking for. Before you buy, make sure the site is reputable and not some fly by night site looking to steal your money or identity. eBay is the most reputable auction site and is the easiest to shop on.

If you want to try shopping on eBay, and look at the left-hand menu to find yarn. Click on crafts. In the next window, find the sub-heading 'Needlecrafts & Yarns'. In this category, click on yarn. Follow these steps and it will take you to the product you are looking for - otherwise, you could get lost and sidetracked! Once you see auctions you're interested in follow these tips:

Check the seller's feedback rating - how many complete transactions they have, comments - how many positive - how many negative. Go with the seller with the highest rating possible.

Buy from top-rated sellers. These sellers must deliver excellent service, ship quickly, and provide accurate item descriptions. They must also sell at least $300 and have a minimum of 100 selling transactions per year.

See which yarn sellers have eBay stores. These stores work just like offline stores and have sales from time to time. You can pick up some good deals if the seller needs to clear out her store.

Check the details of the auction and carefully read the auction to avoid any unpleasant surprises when you receive your purchase.

Don't forget to find the cost of shipping and figure that into your total cost. Finding deals isn't difficult, you just have to know where to look. Try these places and follow these guidelines for some great discount yarn finds.