Practical Money Saving Tips for Knitters and Crocheters

As a hopeless yarn lover, it can be so tempting to spend all my money on supplies: yarn, notions, and the latest tools are always calling my name, but sometimes it’s better to save than spend. Here are some helpful, money-saving tips for knitters and crocheters to make the most of every dollar in your crafting budget.

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Just Say No to “FOMO”

FOMO (Fear-of-Missing-Out) grips all of us sometimes. If you’ve ever pulled the trigger on a big purchase because it has the words “limited” or “special edition” attached, you’re not alone. When high value items are only available for a short time, we have to be discerning about which we choose to purchase. 

Don’t be tricked by expert marketing tactics! Set firm boundaries (and a budget!) around your craft shopping. Buying in cash is one way not to overspend. Another option is to load up your Paypal account or a prepaid VISA with a specific amount and don’t go over it each month.

If you’re really struggling, unfollow some shopping accounts on your social media or unsubscribe from their newsletters for a while to avoid temptation. You can also try the Cold Sheep Method: where you don’t buy anything for a while to bank your money for a more significant purchase. Just remember: there will always be more yarn. 

Shop your Stash

The simplest and most accessible way to save money is to use what you already have. If you’ve got a stash, get creative with your leftovers, extras, and untouched yarns – start those projects you’ve been planning.

I’m not the only one guilty of buying more than I need, and shopping my stash can be a great way to get excited about a new project without spending a dime. 

Get Thrifty

Shopping thrift stores and secondhand shops can be a great way to save–and score–on craft supplies. Although you might not find a bag of your favorite fibers every time you go, there’s a good chance you can pick up secondhand notions, tools, needles and hooks if you check in often. It’s a bit like a treasure hunt – the more often you search for the good stuff, the more likey you will find it.

Host a Craft Swap

Don’t have a well-stocked local yarn shop? Host your own swap night with other crafty friends and exchange materials that you don’t use for ones you will. If you’d rather shop online, use sites like Ravelry, Etsy and Mercari to look for deals on brands you know and new discoveries. Sometimes, you’ll find an amazing price simply because the yarn has already been wound or unraveled from a project (it will be as good as new after you hank, soak, and dry it).

Looking for even more pro-level hacks and tips to save money as a yarn lover? Check out this video:

Support Charity Resellers

Want to do even more good with your purchases while still getting a deal? Check out these charities that specialize in taking donations and re-selling those yarns, tools and books while supporting great causes:

• Swanson’s Fabrics has a goal to make crafting more affordable for everyone. They donate and re-sell (online and in person) a variety of needlecraft supplies. 
• Yarn For Good is a donation-based shopping site where you can select which non-profit your donation proceeds are directed towards: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Tunnels2Towers, Alzheimer’s Association and the Human Society of America. 

Visit the Library

Many libraries already pay for subscriptions to some of your favorite crafting magazines: and if they don’t, ask if they can start ordering them. Libraries have special funding to supply their members with the books, magazines, and resources they’re looking for. Save on your own subscription by sharing one with your community through the local library program. 

You can also check out many crafting books and DVDs through the library system or inter-library loan, or find them as e-books on Libby and Hoopla (these are apps that let you borrow digital resources from the library). It’s worth it to spend some time browsing the catalog for the titles you love, and this gives you the opportunity to try before you buy with books that interest you.

Crafting with Community

If you’ve got a local crafting group, consider taking a group inventory of your resource books, magazines, and less-commonly used tools, like pom-pom makers, drum carders, blocking equipment, and more. Build a check-out system that allows members to borrow from each other and keeps track of who has what. 

Learn some Design Basics 

Taking the time to increase your skills can pay off big when looking for the perfect pattern, too. Learning how gauge swatches, yarn weights and stitch patterns work together can help you to design almost anything basic: think hats, scarves, cowls and fingerless mitts. All you need to do is take your own measurements and learn some math, and you’ll be on the road to designing your own custom pieces for free. To get you started, here’s my guide to Understanding Crochet Gauge and Yarn Substitutions. 

Find Free Patterns

Patterns are often inexpensive, but you can save even more by seeking out free options. Ravelry offers over 300,000 free patterns; just filter by yarn weight, yardage, and pattern type to find what you need. Check out our selection of free patterns on our website as well—explore them here: Free Patterns from TL Yarn Crafts.

I hope these money-saving tips help you stretch your crafting budget even further! Share your best money-saving strategies in the comments below; we’d love to hear how you keep your crafting budget in check.

Be sure to check out our selection of free patterns on our website—explore them here: Free Patterns from TL Yarn Crafts.