Whether you crochet, knit or enjoy making personalized plastic canvas gifts to give to friends, one thing is certain, you will need good-quality yarn for your craft projects. But yarn of good quality can be expensive! Fortunately, finding inexpensive yarn without having to forego quality is not altogether difficult but it does require some extra perseverance and planning.

Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:

• Check the websites of leading yarn manufacturers such as Bernat®, Berroco®, Caron®, Coats and Clark®/Red Heart®, Lion Brand® and Patons®. It is a good idea to sign up for the newsletter to learn about new yarns and free projects.

• Collect and review the sales circulars of large, chain hobby and craft stores included in the weekly Sunday newspaper. You can easily do most of your preliminary research from these circulars. For more detailed information on selection, prices and special online discounts, you can peruse the websites of well-known fabric, hobby and crafts stores including A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc.®, Beverly Fabrics Inc.®, Hobby Lobby®, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores® and Michaels Stores, Inc.®. Joining their mailing list will keep you informed of coupons/codes, seasonal promotions, store events, weekly sales and end-of-year-clearance sales.

• Do not limit your search for yarn at discount prices to just chain stores! Expand your search for yarn retailers, suppliers and wholesalers to your tri-state area and focus on medium to large stores. Interestingly, there are still many hobby and craft stores which are family-owned and have a long, stalwart history. The proprietors of these stores generally have tremendous knowledge about yarn and the crafts industry. They can provide a plethora of information on the latest yarn trends and styles. If you can, make an effort to visit these types of stores to check out their yarn inventory and ongoing sales, if any.

• Research the websites of regional yarn retailers such as knitting-warehouse.com (owned by Beverly Fabrics, Inc.® of California), herrschners.com (Herrschners® of Wisconsin), marymaxim.com (Mary Maxim® of Michigan) and yarn.com (Webs® of Massachusetts) for exclusive online deals and offers, sales discounts/promotions, weekly clearance sales and/or to request a catalog.

• Large hobby and craft shows and fairs usually feature yarn vendors. You may be able to purchase yarn at wholesale prices by buying in bulk even if you do not have a crafts business.

• Buy from reputable online vendors. One online resource is anniesattic.com (part of DRG®).

• Big Lots®, close-out, discount and dollar stores.

• Why not start a monthly or bimonthly yarn swap for your crafts club? This is a great way to get rid of yarn you no longer need or want.

• Estate sales, house sales, garage sales, yard sales and flea markets.

• Use recycled yarn by unraveling old sweaters.

As you search for opportunities to buy your favorite name brand yarns at discount prices, you can stretch your savings by buying in bulk and stocking up on end-of-year clearance sales. That way you will always have an adequate supply of yarn for present and future projects. You can also make your yarn "go a lot further" by purchasing good-quality, worsted weight yarn, an excellent multi-purpose yarn which can accommodate a variety of craft projects.


For informational purposes and not intended as advice and/or recommendation. Companies mentioned in the article do not imply endorsement. All registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. The writer is not affiliated with any of the aforementioned companies.