Tips on Finding Discount Yarn
Take one look at the prices in your local yarn store and you'll understand why the idea of discount yarn is so appealing. Often it costs more to knit an afghan than it would to buy one outright, and it's a heck of a lot more work. But if, like me, you just can't resist that creative lure, you want to know all about how to find discounted yarn.
It's rare to find discount yarn in stores, but you can do it. Usually shops discount discontinued lines, or dye lots that they're almost out of. If you're not too picky you can find some great deals. Remember that when you buy discount yarns in stores, you often won't be able to get a huge amount of one dye lot. That means you need to be creative -- whether that means knitting in stripes or changing your pattern.
But shops aren't the only places to find discount knitting yarn. Check out these other ideas for excellent prices on knitting supplies of all types.
1. Thrift shops
Thrift shops are fantastic places to find discount yarn. Not only do people donate leftover odds and ends, stores often use donations to get rid of discontinued lots or large amounts of unpopular stock. That means that you won't just find cheap yarn: you may find large amounts in the same color and style.
2. Discount stores
Large department stores like Wal-Mart often sell discount knitting yarn in huge amounts. It won't be super high quality, but it will be more than sufficient for most purposes. You can also check your local Dollar Store or the like. While they won't have real wool or the quality material, they have some very interesting and inexpensive novelty yarns, as well as small amounts of regular stock.
3. Garage sales and flea markets
Chances are that on any given day, you'll be able to find either a garage sale or a flea market in or near your town. Especially at garage sales, people tend to just throw whatever they find in the basement in a big box and charge a small amount for it.
This means that a little bit of hunting could yield a fortune in discount yarns -- and this is where you're most likely to find yarn of high quality, too. Remember, often people forget what they paid for things and give you a much better deal than any discount ever would.
Don't pay a fortune for yarn -- not with so many excellent options for buying discount yarn!