There are ways to cut down your costs. You can find good deals online, and if all you need is plain acrylic, you can try discount stores, thrift shops, or Wal-Mart.

As for your question...probably not in this economy! XD

"There are more things on heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." --Shakespeare, Hamlet

Thanks Master! Wal-mart definitely has some cheaper options, I've gotten some there before. not the best on variety. I'm not sure where online to look though.

Actually, I check Craigslist a lot, had a little luck there!

Thanks again!
Nikki

I found that the best times to shop for yarn are right after Christmas and towards the end of summer. After Christmas, stores are moving out discontinued yarns and heavy winter-wear yarns. Towards the end of summer they are moving out their light-weight and cotton blends to make way for heavier cold-weather yarns. I pick up tons of yarn for 1.00 a skein. I also get the fliers for Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Joann, and KnitPicks (an on-line store) to catch yarn when it's on sale (and I use their coupons to buy books).

the on-line craft catalogs are good to search and you can sign up for their yarn newsletters which have all the sales on them:

www.marymaxims.com
www.herrschners.com

Try Smiley's.com. They have great prices. Only drawback to them is you can't see or feel the real yarn, so if you see something you like you really need to check out the actual product at your LYS before ordering. I know that takes time, but trust me -- impulse buys from this site (they have a $50 minimum) can cause you to wind up with something you really didn't want.

Thank you! I'll try all those!

Thanks you everyone for all these wonderful ideas!

Nikki

Thank you! I'll try all those!

Thanks you everyone for all these wonderful ideas!

Nikki

You cannot use Michael's discount coupons to buy books or magazines anymore. Bummer! In IL they seem to have turned their stores into a scrapbookers paradise; yarn items have been greatly reduced. Double bummer!

I noticed that a few months ago!! I was desparately looking for a certain color of yarn and was trying a lo of places. I went to Michael's and they had one tiny bin of yarn. But over half the store was scrapbooking crap. Bleh.

Elann.com is another place to find good bargains. They have a Canadian and American outlet, which makes them easier for us to use - no customs fees or extra shipping charges.

Every so often they have full bag blowout specials that are really reasonably priced. I'm still kicking myself for missing their blowout on Patons Decor which would have been perfect for an afghan I want to make. The yarn would have cost under $40 Cnd., including S&H, and I'd have had several balls left over. Not bad!

Elann.com is another place to find good bargains. They have a Canadian and American outlet, which makes them easier for us to use - no customs fees or extra shipping charges.

Every so often they have full bag blowout specials that are really reasonably priced. I'm still kicking myself for missing their blowout on Patons Decor which would have been perfect for an afghan I want to make. The yarn would have cost under $40 Cnd., including S&H, and I'd have had several balls left over. Not bad!

AWesome, thank you Sharon!

Elann is good. Also, try Discountyarn.com. Most of the yarn is sold by the bag, but prices are great! You are right. Michael's has really decreased their yarn stock over the past few years -- and they are the only chain craft store I have locally.

By the way, Sharon, Smiley's has Patons Decor -- I think it's 99 cents. The only problem with them, $50 minimum.

I have been able to pick up quite a bit of yarn on clearance at Hobby Lobby. I agree on the Michaels. Jo-Ann's too. I travel all over the country and look for the nearest craft/yarn store when I have some down time and sometimes the selection is depressing.

I have picked up some pretty good deals on ebay as well. Just don't forget to figure in the shipping cost. Sometimes you can get it cheaper going to a store(if that's an option) when you add on the S&H. Herrschners sends out an email of hot buy yarn sales every Wednesday.

I have also picked up blankets, hats, scarves and sweaters from thrift stores/garage sales that were made of yarn I liked and unravelled them to make something else(PSA: it can be tedious and sometimes frustrating. It's usually my in between project when I just need to mentally get away from my other WIPs). Only down side to that is finding several pieces whose yarn will go nicely together if you're doing a big project.

I have heard estate sales can be quite the gold mine as well.

On the topic of expense....  ;)

A few weeks ago I felt the insatiable urge to splurge on myself. While I did get a very, very good deal on it...I have to admit, I spent $45 on 4sk(apx 650 yds) of 50%qiviut/50%angora. It's 2 ply lace weight and I have no idea what I'm going to use it for but it is absolutely luscious. Otherwise

I normally use whatever is on clearance...acrylic, wool blends, cotton, whatever.  I'm not picky or allergic and I absolutely will not pay more than what I think it's worth, unless it's for a very, very, very special gift(not just any plain ol gift, mind you) and even then I'm still thrifty.

2 ply lace weight you say? You could make a beautiful wrap for yourself. Lace weight works up into the most gorgeous light & airy shawls and wraps when worked with a large hook -- and I mean J and larger -- but don't go larger than N.

Good luck and congrats on the purchase.