20 Ways To Make Crocheting More Affordable
Crochet, like most hobbies, can be as expensive or affordable as you make it. Wanting to crochet, for whatever reason moves you, should not be impossible due to limited financial means… it’s a passion that should be shared, bring happiness, and passed onto others. With this in mind I have given some pointers below on some of the many ways in which crochet can be made more budget-friendly, and thereby more accessible to everyone!
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Yarn
Yarn comes in many varieties - colour, fibre content, environmental friendliness and many other factors can affect your choice. If you’re crocheting on a budget you might have to be a little more led by the available yarn than your desired pattern, but it is still possible to feel joy and make something beautiful.
Thrift yarn - many charity shops have a crafting section where yarn can be purchased cheaply e.g. Emmaus in Hinckley.
Upcycle yarn - frog those WIPs (works in progress) that you are realistically never going to finish, projects that you no longer want (or never liked), reuse yarn from garments that you have thrifted or turn your old garments into yarn (e.g. t-shirt yarn).
Use every last scrap - once you have completed your main project don’t bin any leftover scraps. Scraps can be used to make smaller projects (alone or in conjunction with other scraps) like our Scraptacular Baskets, or used to stuff items such our Cosy Stripes Draught Excluder or amigurumi.
Purchase yarn in bulk - whilst this might not be an option for everyone, many yarn suppliers offer discounts if you purchase larger amounts and/or offer free shipping. Don’t forget to use your Blue Light Card if you have one too!
Sign up to newsletters - the majority of yarn sellers, both small and large, have a newsletter. Many welcome emails contain a discount code, and their newsletter is where you’ll be the first to hear about upcoming sales, and often receive exclusive promotional codes. Some suppliers have loyalty schemes too.
LoveCrafts offer 20% off to Blue Light Card holders!
Shop in the sales/clearance range - most yarn suppliers will hold a sale at some point during the year, offer discount codes and/or have a clearance section where prices are drastically reduced.
Buy only the yarn that you need - it can be helpful to get into the mindset of selecting your pattern and then only buying the amount of yarn required to make it. We are often too easily tempted by pretty, soft, squishy yarn… try being firm with yourself, or even better taking along a friend to help reign you in when needed (select your friend wisely) lol.
Take part in a yarn swap (or join a destash group) - not inspired by the yarn that you have? Join a local yarn club or get together with some friends and swap some yarn… you’re bound to find a hidden gem (even if noone else feels the same way about it).
Purchase cheaper fibres - the fibre content of yarn varies dramatically. Whilst your fibre selection will be somewhat led by your choice of project, in general, synthetic fibres such as acrylic yarn are often more affordable than natural fibres such as wool.
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Crochet Patterns
It is incredibly easy to fall down a rabbit hole when browsing patterns. Jokingly crocheters often mention how they have more patterns than they could ever make. Why not try to buck the trend?
Shop free patterns - many online pattern sources e.g. Ravelry, LoveCrafts and designer’s websites offer a range of free patterns. If you can’t afford to buy a new pattern right now simply filter your results so that you can’t see them, and thereby avoid temptation.
Why not join our Facebook group and grab a free copy of the Caitlin Zigzag Blanket pattern!
Check out our free versions of these patterns:
The Slalom Square (there are 19 other free squares for this blanket, by other designers, available too!)
Equally many paid patterns are offered for free during blog-hop events.
Earn a pattern by becoming a pattern tester.
Check out our blog post ‘Want to Try Crochet Pattern Testing?’ for more information.
A striped version of our Caitlin Zigzag Blanket.
Check out your local library (or library-funded app) - libraries are a precious resource that are unfortunately dwindling due to a lack of visitors and diminishing funding. Why not support your local library by checking out their craft section! Most libraries will have a collection of books full of patterns that you can make for free. Equally, many libraries (at least here in the UK) started to utilise apps during the Covid pandemic. Why not see if your local library has funded access to apps such as ‘Libby’ where you can browse crochet magazines for patterns for free :)
Check out YouTube - here you will find an array of videos on crocheting, many of which include tutorials for free patterns.
Other notions and general tips
It can be easy to be drawn in by fancy gadgets and pretty notions, but do you really need these to pursue your hobby?
Ask for crafting supplies as gifts - e.g. for your birthday or Christmas present from friends or family.
Get creative - work with what you have in your stash or what you can afford. It’s not always practical or sensible to be led buy your wallet into making purchases that you cannot afford and therefore may later regret. You might be surprised by what you can make when you let your imagination flow.
Crochet smaller projects - an ear warmer or a scarf use much less yarn than a blanket for instance.
Crochet gifts - instead of spending your gift budget on a shop-bought present, why not use the money to buy crochet supplies and give your loved one something handmade. A lot of people appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating handmade gifts.
Crochet practical items - in need of a new dishcloth, tea towel or rug? Why not use the designated money to make them instead?!
Borrow from friends - if you take the time to make crafting friends e.g. by joining a local club, you’ll often find that they’re willing to lend you items that you need in order to make your project e.g. a specific size crochet hook.
Make budget-friendly substitutions - whilst progress keepers and fancy stitch markers might look nice, a piece of contrasting yarn, a paperclip or safety pin will work just as well.
Crochet for charity - some charities such as the Warm Baby Project appreciate your time and effort so much that they have ‘yarn collection points’ across the country where you can grab some free yarn to crochet items specifically for their appeals.
Check out our blog post ‘Crochet for a Cause’ to find more charities that would love to receive your crocheted creations.
I hope that the above ideas have helped you to continue on your crochet journey. I’d hate for anyone to have to stop crocheting due to a lack of funds. We thrive as a community!
Please let me know if there are any other suggestions that you think should be added to the list.