Christie C. “I’m not obsessed with knitting. I just collect lots of yarn and patterns, that’s all.” —
Yarnplaza.com
Why Is Yarn Expensive?
I remember the first time I went to a serious specialty yarn shop. Back in New York City, I was roughly in my sophomore year of college, addicted to knitting, and wanted some really nice yarn. I had taken a hike to Knitty City, which is a beautiful shop in Upper West Side Manhattan. I had hoped to purchase a few lovely pieces, only to be shocked that a single skein of yarn costed $25! In fact, the most inexpensive yarn there was still a heaping $17! Unable to afford anything with my part time bookstore paycheck, I left quite defeated.
There isn’t a JoAnn in New York City since we have the Garment District, a historical neighborhood that was once the hub of textile production, garment manufacturing, and other fashion-related goings-on. Yarn can also be purchased in various craft shops and local art supply stores. Even though New York is extremely expensive, you could get affordable yarn and sewing supplies at many shops. At the time, I purchased most of my yarn from the Lion Brand Yarn Studio, which unfortunately closed in 2020, but still manufactures yarn for big box stores and boutiques. I used their yarn to create my Harry Potter Hogwarts House Scarf.
Even though I can afford some of these pricy yarns today, I’d rather not! It takes me back to those teenage years when I wondered why the heck is quality yarn so expensive?
Natural Yarns and Quality
Even the most expensive synthetic yarn won’t run you $10, unless it is bulky and at least 200 grams worth of fiber. Yarn is expensive if it comes from natural sources: wool, angora, cotton, linen, etcetera.
Natural quality fibers, whether spun into thread and yarn, or woven into fabric, should never be dirt cheap just based on the long and arduous process it takes to grow the plants or take care of the animals, harvest the materials from the plants and animals, process the materials, and then dye the materials.
Yarn in general requires a lengthy production process that includes sheep shearing during the spring before lambing, or during the summer to help sheep stay cool. Then comes the skirting process, in which the unusable components of the fleece are removed. The fleece is then washed and dried, picked, opened, and carded, then finally spun. Additional processing may involve plying and dying.
Quality yarn may also come from carefully selected sheep or goat breeds for optimal softness, texture, and feel. The same concept applies to cotton, linen, and silk. The plants and animals may be fed a specific diet to encourage healthy fiber growth. If you have ever felt the texture of premium yarn versus standard yarn, you can immediately notice the difference in feel, drape, sturdiness, and color.
Inexpensive Yarn is Available!
When fiber is vetted for quality, you do pay for quality, especially in our current world where farms and habitats are being stressed due to climate change. So, what is one to do when this quality is out of reach?
The reality is that some fibers will always be expensive because of their quality and specific production process. For example, you will never find inexpensive angora, silk, or cashmere. But, the good news is that you don’t need to purchase luxury yarn to create a luxury project. Overall, yarn doesn’t have to be expensive, and there are ways to get the perfect yarn for your project without breaking the bank.
The Cheapest Yarns
In many ways, modern capitalism has severely undermined the actual cost and value of goods and services. While a $1 skein of 100% wool or %100 cotton sounds nice, we should be aware of why such a deal is nearly impossible without a company taking some sketchy environmental, health, and human rights shortcuts.
Usually, the cheapest yarns are made entirely using synthetic fibers such as acrylic, polyester, and nylon because of how easy and quick they are to manufacture. As of 2025, prices on average can range between $1 to $7 for 50 to 100 grams of fiber. You can absolutely knit or crochet beautiful items with synthetic materials since not all synthetic yarns are made equal. Some are manufactured to be softer, more luxurious, or more durable than others. They are also easier to clean and care for. In terms of natural fibers, you can typically find $1 to $7 skeins of 100% cotton or cotton blends, which are available at big box stores such as Walmart and JoAnn if you live in the United States.
The fiber art community is pretty split when it comes to whether or not natural or synthetic yarns are better. Synthetic yarns do unfortunately contribute to pollution and non-biodegradable waste. Microplastics released during washings are also an ongoing environmental issue. However, there are some real environmental and human rights issues across the board for any fiber regardless of which one you choose. Natural yarns, for example, are not free from environmental, animal welfare, and human rights scrutiny.
At the end of the day, your craft will never pollute at the same scale as an industrial factory. Make your decision based on what you’re comfortable with accepting.
Where To Buy Economical Quality Yarn
Decent quality yarn should be accessible to everyone, and, thankfully, there are inexpensive yarn options. I have seen many artists and potential crafters be discouraged by the seemingly few materials available to them. Whether they live in crafting deserts, or money is tight, there is definitely a need for good yarn, especially for those wanting to up their fiber game.
It can be discouraging to walk into a small shop and see a single skein of yarn cost $20 to $40. Some people can definitely afford that, and that is absolutely their right. But, what do we do when that sort of money is out of the question? Here are 7 tips for finding inexpensive yarn under budget that will enhance the quality of your knit and crochet projects.
1. Buy from economical shops
This seems like the “duh” position, but not everyone is aware that some online vendors offer affordable yarn beyond what is offered at big box stores. Check your local thrift stores and discount stores first for good deals on yarns. Some big box shops will also have regular sales, bringing prices down further.
If you are seeking quality a grade higher than what big box brands offer, try ordering from Knit Picks, LoveCrafts, WEBS – America’s Yarn Store, or Yarnspirations. These four stores offer yarns that range between $3.00 to $9.00 as of 2025 for 50 or more grams. They also have regular sales.
Knit Picks – Offers affordable wool, such as their popular Wool of the Andes line, available in various weights and colors. Knit Picks is my go to choice for economical 100% wool yarn. My first sweater projects were made using their yarn, and they continue to be a good resource for sourcing wool for long term wear and tear.
LoveCrafts – Offers a wide range of 100% wool, often with discounts for new customers and regular sales. They sell 100% wool Paintbox Yarns in bulk, which is great when you require several grams of yarn for large projects.
WEBS – America’s Yarn Store – Another favorite of mine, WEBS is known for its extensive selection of high-quality yarns, including its own Valley Yarns line, which often features 100% wool at competitive prices. They also provide discounts for bulk purchases.
Yarnspirations – Carries brands like Patons that offer 100% wool and cotton options at accessible prices, suitable for beginners and experienced crafters.
2. Use yarns made with synthetic and natural blends
As someone who is also concerned about microplastics and pollution, I understand the hesitation around using synthetic fibers. That said, crafting should be accessible to everyone. Acrylic yarn is objectively the least expensive and most accessible yarn. If that is in your budget, then by all means go for it. A person can crochet all the amigurumi they want in a lifetime, and it will never come close to the rampant waste and pollution of a large corporation.
Synthetic yarn blends have the benefit of not only being less expensive, but also easier to care for. Most blends are machine washable and can be dried in a laundry dryer safely. Best of all, they tend to look a lot nicer than 100% acrylic or synthetic yarns.
Even yarn blends with just 20 percent natural fiber content can make a piece feel and appear more luxurious. My favorite synthetic blend yarn is the Lion Brand Wool-Ease line. It is available in most craft shops, comes in over thirty colors, is not quick to pill, is very durable, and easy to work with.
3. Use recycled yarn from old or thrifted garments
Some garments are too beat up to wear again, but that doesn’t mean that the yarn is too far gone. Yarn can be refashioned after its original garment is unraveled. This allows you to save any precious fibers and give them a second life as something entirely new.
You can unravel any older project, or even harvest the yarn from a thrifted piece. Personally, I love unraveling older projects and knitting and crocheting them into something new. I get to keep the memories built over time from the yarn, and feel empowered by the new and improved piece.
4. Purchase undyed yarn
Undyed yarn is significantly less expensive than dyed yarns. You also tend to get a lot more bang for your buck. If you can source it from your local farm, it is even more affordable. The fascinating thing about undyed yarn is that you can customize the colors yourself by hand dying the yarn.
Alternatively, you can work with the natural colors of the fiber. Not all cotton, flax, and wool is snowy white. There is variation in natural fibers, and they can be woven up in unique ways. Brown sheep’s wool, for example, is remarkably attractive. Do some fancy colorwork with natural cream, brown, red, and grey sheep’s wool and cotton—yes, even cotton can be naturally red and even dark brown in color!
5. Purchase Yarn in Bulk
Many places will discount your purchase if you buy yarn in bulk. Regardless of whether or not there is a sale, WEBS provides discounts if you purchase a certain amount of yarn.
If you have a few projects in mind, purchase the yarn for those projects in bulk to save as much as 25%. Just make sure you have a definite plan for a pattern so that you’re not needlessly buying yarn.
6. Attend a Yarn Swap (In-Person and Virtual)
Sites such as Ravelry and Wool Swap have resources for Yarn Swaps, which are events in which people bring all of their unwanted yarn and swap it with other crafters. There are many experienced crafters out there trying to clean out their stashes, and would love to give their idle yarn away.
This is an excellent way to not only find bargain rates on yarn, but also an excellent way to meet other crafters that share the same passion you do. Alternatively, if you have friends and family that knit or crochet, see if they are willing to part with some of their stash. Many of them are more than happy to!
7. Avoid Creating a Yarn Stash
This has less to do with finding and purchasing yarn, and more to do with sustaining your budget. However, I believe it is important to talk about how not to get carried away yarn shopping. Just because something is cheap or on sale, doesn’t mean you should buy it.
Once you’ve caught the crafting bug, it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a veteran. You will inevitably fall into the “yarn stash” trap. It might be nice to have a collection (and I won’t stop you if you want one), but they are money pits.
To save money on yarn, aim to only purchase what you need. When you come across inexpensive yarn, it can be tempting to purchase several attractive skeins and hanks, but carefully choosing your yarn increases the likelihood that you’ll be satisfied with your intended project.
A small stash or a lack of a stash will also give your living space more room to breathe. You don’t want to collect more yarn than you can realistically use. Then you’ll end up at a yarn swap years later trying to get rid of that blasted stash!
