The average knitter spends over $500 each year on yarn and supplies. Premium wool prices have jumped 30% since 2023, making our beloved hobby more expensive.
Rising costs won’t stop us from creating beautiful pieces. We’ve found many ways to save money on yarn and knitting supplies in 2025 while still crafting stunning projects.
Seasoned knitters and beginners alike can access plenty of budget-friendly options. Your craft costs can stay low without compromising quality through affordable knitting supplies and creative alternatives like upcycling yarn.
Want to stretch your crafting budget further? Let’s look at practical strategies that help you save money while you enjoy knitting’s therapeutic benefits.
Easy Money-Saving Strategies
Smart ways to maximize your yarn budget through digital tools and strategic shopping can transform your crafting experience.
Digital Coupons and Cashback Apps

Knitters are finding significant savings through cashback apps.
The average Ibotta user earns between $10 to $20 monthly, and active users can earn up to $300 monthly. On top of that, apps like Rakuten give cashback between 1-20% on craft supply purchases.
These cashback apps work best for craft supplies:
- Ibotta: Requires $20 minimum for withdrawal
- Rakuten: Quarterly payouts via PayPal or check
- Dosh: Instant rewards with connected cards
Newsletter Subscriptions for Exclusive Deals

Yarn shop newsletters help you save money quickly.
Treasure Goddess Yarn gives 15% off your first order, especially when you have just subscribed.
Tellybean Knits members get a generous 25% discount on pattern purchases through their newsletter.
Seasonal Sales Calendar

Major yarn retailers offer deep discounts throughout the year.
WEBS gives up to 50% off during their Year End Sale.
Purl Soho runs frequent sales with 20% off on premium wool varieties and 40% off on discontinued yarns.
To name just one example, see these key sales periods:
- Year-end clearance events (December-January)
- Spring cleaning sales (March-April)
- Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals
- Summer stock clearance (July-August)
Smart Shopping Techniques

Smart purchasing decisions can cut down our crafting expenses by a lot. Here are some proven techniques that help us get the most from our yarn budget.
Bulk Buying Benefits
Smart knitters know they can save big by buying in bulk. Amazon offers discounts on purchases of ten or more skeins of the same yarn.
Wholesale suppliers can save you even more with 75% off retail prices on bag purchases.
Price Comparison Tools
The smart way to shop is by checking prices on different platforms. We recently compared interchangeable knitting needle prices and found some significant differences:
- ChiaoGoo Big 5″ Twist Red lace set: $155-165
- Knitter’s Pride Nova Platina Deluxe: $69.18
Budget-friendly alternatives can save you over 50% and still give you excellent quality.
Membership Programs Worth Joining
Yarn subscription boxes are a great way to get consistent savings. These programs cost between $10 to $90 per month and come with several perks:
- Monthly yarn deliveries with exclusive patterns
- Access to limited-edition colorways
- Bonus gifts from women-owned businesses
- Option to cancel anytime
Before investing in expensive tools, new knitters should start with smaller sets or individual pieces. You can build your collection gradually by discovering which products you enjoy using.
Creative Cost-Cutting Methods
Savvy knitters know how to save money with creative and resourceful techniques. Let’s find ways to turn old garments into fresh supplies for new projects.
Yarn Recycling from Old Garments
Thrift stores are a rich source of yarn recycling materials. Natural fiber sweaters give the best results for reuse. Here’s our proven process to reclaim yarn:
- Check the seam construction
- Get into fiber content and quality
- Wash the garment if needed
- Carefully remove seams
- Unravel and wind into skeins
DIY Tools and Accessories
Many knitting tools can come from everyday household items. Simple alternatives work just as well as store-bought supplies. These are our favorite DIY substitutes:
- Paper clips as cable needles
- Nail clippers for trimming yarn
- Cardboard rectangles for making pom-poms
- Waste yarn loops as stitch markers
Community Swaps and Shares
Yarn swaps are a great way to refresh your stash without spending money. A group of 10 people usually brings enough variety to make the effort worthwhile.
Our experience shows that swaps work best when:
- Participants bring yarn they don’t need anymore
- Items spread out on a clean, large surface
- Leftover materials go to charity
Local knitting groups help members share supplies and knowledge effectively. Members can try new techniques without spending much by pooling resources and exchanging materials. These community connections help knitters find unique yarns and tools that might otherwise cost too much.
Advanced Saving Strategies
Let’s take our money-saving experience to the next level with strategies experienced knitters use to maximize their yarn budget.
Wholesale Purchasing Groups
We found that joining buying groups or cooperatives saves substantial money. Organizations like the Craft Industry Alliance help us access bulk discounts of up to 30% on wholesale yarn purchases. Wholesale groups offer great value because they provide:
- Direct manufacturer relationships
- Access to liquidation sales (up to 80% off retail)
- A chance to participate in group orders
- Unique access to discontinued lines
International Shopping Tips
Smart yarn shopping from international sellers needs careful thought. The listed price isn’t everything. These factors matter most:
- Calculate shipping costs based on weight
- Research customs duties beforehand
- Check return policies carefully
- Compare currency exchange rates
- Look for free shipping thresholds
Investment vs. Budget Materials Guide
Smart yarn investments can save money over time. Our tests show that garments knitted at tighter gages last longer. Quality investment pieces should include:
High-quality tweed and silk blends keep their shape better. These materials cost more upfront but last longer and drape better. Premium cotton blends and merino wool deliver excellent value through their durability and comfort.
Budget-friendly projects work well with:
- Seasonal closeouts offering 70-75% discounts
- Mill-end yarns from reputable manufacturers
- Local yarn shop (LYS) group orders
Good relationships with local yarn shops often lead to wholesale source access. This approach supports local businesses and helps secure better prices on quality materials.
Conclusion
Knitting can be affordable in 2025. Smart shopping strategies and digital tools help crafters save hundreds of dollars annually while creating beautiful pieces.
The best results come from combining multiple saving approaches. Cashback apps and newsletter subscriptions instantly save 15-25%. Bulk buying and seasonal sales push the savings even further with discounts of up to 75% off retail prices.
Budget-conscious crafters benefit from yarn recycling and DIY tools. Local knitting groups provide access to swap meets and shared resources, making this hobby more affordable and fun.
Quality materials deserve investment for specific projects, while budget-friendly alternatives work great for others to balance cost and durability. Premium wool blends and wholesale group deals give us many ways to stretch our crafting budget.
These strategies let us create beautiful knitted pieces without breaking the bank. Your yarn stash will grow, and expenses will shrink when you use these money-saving techniques today.
FAQs
Q1. When is the best time to buy yarn for the best deals?
The best times to buy yarn are during seasonal sales events.
Look for significant discounts during year-end clearance sales in December-January, spring cleaning sales in March-April, Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals, and summer stock clearance in July-August.
Many retailers offer up to 50% off during these periods.
Q2. How can I make knitting more affordable?
To make knitting more affordable, consider using digital coupons and cashback apps, subscribing to newsletters for exclusive deals, buying in bulk, comparing prices across platforms, and joining membership programs.
You can also explore creative options like recycling yarn from old garments and making tools and accessories.
Q3. What are some effective ways to store yarn and save money?
Consider using clear plastic bags to protect your yarn from dust, pet hair, and moisture to store yarn effectively and save money.
This method allows you to stack yarn neatly on shelves, keeping your stash organized and in good condition, which can help avoid unnecessary purchases due to damaged or lost yarn.
Q4. Is it more cost-effective to knit items or buy them ready-made?
While the initial cost of yarn and supplies can add up, knitting can be more cost-effective than buying high-quality, handmade items, especially if you enjoy the process and plan to create multiple pieces over time.
By using smart shopping techniques and taking advantage of sales, you can significantly reduce the cost of materials.
Q5. How can I save money when shopping for yarn internationally?
When shopping for yarn internationally, calculate shipping costs based on weight, research customs duties beforehand, check return policies carefully, compare currency exchange rates, and look for free shipping thresholds. Also, consider joining wholesale purchasing groups or cooperatives to a