This year I'm challenging myself to do braver things as a writer and a blogger, and that includes getting in front of the camera and having these video chats with all of you on a frequent basis.
On Mondays I'm sharing parenting inspiration for the week ahead from the SimpleKids.net blog and on Fridays I'm sharing my WIPs and sitting down for a short crafty chat with you here at KEF.
This week, for the first Works In Progress and crafty chat of the year, I'm answering a question that was asked on the blog a few weeks ago about knitting on a budget.
Four simple ways I keep my yarn budget in check:
1. Use what I already have first, also known as "shopping the stash."
2. Purchase gently used or de-stash yarn from other crafters on Ravelry, eBay, and Etsy. Sell what I know I won't be using to raise funds and earn a little extra yarn $$$.
3. Use the affiliate program and Swagbucks to earn gift cards to purchase yarn on Amazon.com
4. This knitter accepts gifts. Spread the word that you're a knitter and the yarn will come.
I've received gift cards and gifts of yarn from friends and family. Sometimes friends have given me yarn after they gave up on the hobby themselves or I've inherited yarn from their grandmother/aunt/mom who no longer knits. Depending on the type, this yarn is good for kids' crafts although sometimes it ends up in my personal yarn stash, too. I'm not too proud to take other crafters' cast offs.
I'm very thankful to my generous friends and family! Seriously, thanks to everyone who has gifted me yarn, patterns, gift cards and needles over the years. From inheriting my great-grandmother's knitting needles to the huge bag of yarn my friend gave me and all the other generous gifts in between, you guys are wonderful! I'm so blessed that so many encourage my fiber habit.
One more tip ...
Something that I didn't mention in the video, but which is very helpful to me when I'm minding my yarn dollars and cents, is to save your scraps. Seriously, you never know when that little bit of worsted will be the perfect stripe for a hat, tiny dolly or teddy bear scarf, or funky leftovers shawl.
I've kept bits of sock yarn from my knitting over the past decade and am making a blanket with the scraps. My daughter Jillian uses yarn to make doll clothes and even has made doll wigs for her fashion dolls.You just never know when that little bit will be helpful, so I've learned not to throw it out.
There are LOADS more frugal ideas I didn't share here, including recycled yarn. What about you? How do you keep knitting costs down? I'd love to hear your ideas for knitting on a budget. Would you leave your tips in the comments?
Happy and frugal knitting, friends!
Resources and information mentioned in the video:
My Ravelry page
Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig
Knit Picks
Fireweed Dye Works/Alaskan Nancy
SwagBucks (my referral link)
Patons Kroy Sock Yarn on Amazon (affiliate link)
Please note that this is not a sponsored post and all opinions are my own, however there are some affiliate links above. Thanks for your support!
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My parenting blog is SimpleKids.net