Why is yarn so expensive!!

[AllTheGoodOnesAreTaken]

Dear all. I am a keen knitter but the cost of buying yarn really puts me off. Making things yourself is no longer a cheap option, is it?? You either do it for the love of it or not at all, because finacially it just doesn't work out. I usually buy my yarn from the clearance section of Kemps but I am then stuck to whatever they have, and their postage costs quickly add up too. Does anybody know of any alternatives to kemps? I know some charity shops sell yarn but it actually isn't any cheaper than say John Lewis and more often than not all they have is nasty acrylics.

Buttons is another one... I need buttons by the bucketload and they are also very expensive. I would be most grateful if anyone could point me in the direction of reasonably priced buttons (not ebay). Cheers all. xx

well the best way to build a stash of buttons or ribbon is to ask around your friends and family. My great aunt had a roses tin full of buttons that she gave me. My family and friends collect buttons up for me, you know spare ones that come with clothes and the ribbons as well. I also mentioned to someone at work about my stash addiction and a few colleagues came in with bags full - literally. I now have a huge box of buttons and a suitcase full of ribbon.

With yarn, it depends on who and what it is going to be. I just went to my local yarn shop [Get Knitted www.getknitted.co.uk] they have a large selection of yarn that means I get plenty of choice for what I want to work with, they do tend to be nicer yarns, rather than cheap acrylics. I am crocheting a hat for my dad out of the Rico Kids Classic Aran, which is acrylic, but it feels so lovely, and I didn't think the price was too bad, works out at around £6 to make - not including time.

However I am crocheting a large flower blanket for DD's bedroom [when she finally moves into it] and that's a mix of acrylic/wool yarns. I needed about 1200g of various wools, so ended up having a mix of yarns from [purplelindacrafts.co.uk] some patons diploma gold which is a nice soft yarn great for things with kids.

I always choose an acrylic mix when making things for LO's as washability is high on my priority list.

I love to make things for people as gifts, rather than for sale. I have had the odd commission and it's usually for friends so I don't charge a fortune for my time.

I have used Kemps after it was recommended on here, they do have some good bargains but I was wrongly charged last time and it put me off a bit TBH. (More the snippy tone of the emails TBH - I politely said excuse me I have been charged too much and it seems it was at least partly my fault for ordering when they were doing stocktaking )

I have used hejhog a couple of times, very good prices and free p and p if you spend £24 or more. Last order was slow to arrive but they kept me updated. They have a lot of lovely stuff and a few really good bargains. And you can add a lipbalm or something to make it up to the £24 if you want

Deramores also do free p and p but their basic prioes seem a little higher to me (not used them)

Fabric's the same. It's actually expensive to buy nice fabric by the metre. And way cheaper to just get supermarket/charity shops/peacocks etc clothes and maybe make some of your own adjustments.
I usually get large skirts etc from charity shops now and make DD sized clothes - it's not really worth getting metres in for myself.

Hi :) iv just started knitting im all excited and even though im rubbish i love it i have been looking for yarn and have also noticed how expensive it is, like i was going to attempt a lovely easy scarf for my little sister but it says 7 balls of yarn and size and when i looked up they type they recommended that works out at 35quid for the scarf! I really want to make blankets for my boys and i know they will mean something cause im doing them myself for them but its gona be expensive... Anyways thanks for this thread op it'l be great to get tips from experienced knitters where to look. Oh and anyone any idea how long it'l take me to not be so rubbish? :)

moaningminniewhingesagain that's interesting what you're saying about Kemps because I have experienced very bad customer service from them. I ordered a set of yarn back in November thinking that I would knit some mittens and brooches for my friends as Christmas gifts. Well, the yarn never arrived. When I complained about 3 weeks later, they said they would send me a claim form from the post office. This also never arrived and when I rang them to inquire again, they said that they had sent me a replacement parcel . This was without my knowledge. So the lady said that as the 'second' parcel hadn't arrived either, I would have to sign not one but two claims for the Post Office so that they could claim the money from them. To this date I am still waiting for my refund.

Kellestar I feel really that you have an army of people supplying you with gorgeous unlimmited ribbon and buttons. How lucky!!

I don't mind paying for the yarn, what I object to is that it never washes well. Years ago (I'm showing my age here) there used to be Phildar shops all over the place. My mother would only knit with their yarn because it washed and dried in the drier without getting that matted look. I know that Phildar have an online shop but wonder if the quality of their yarn is still the same?? Or do you have a yarn you'd recommend?

As for buttons, I always to to Duttons for Buttons. I think they now have a website.

I like Masons Needlecraft.

They do a lot of the value yarns but there is nothing wrong with that. A King Cole Merino at £2.65 a ball is virtually the same stuff as a Rowan merino at £5 a ball but you aren't paying for the top end Rowan brand.

I think their flat rate of postage is £2 no matter how much you buy and it is sent 1st class. I have used them a couple of times and had great service.

I bought this pack from them a few months back, as recommended by the Attic 24 blog if you know it. 1700g of yarn still only cost £2 postage and £1.40 a ball! It is acrylic but it feels OK and it is nice to work with.

Can't really help you with buttons though. I've bought them from ebay in the past from somebody having a clear out. Same with the yarn. Just bought some Sirdar bamboo at half the price it would have been in the shops.

I do agree though that it isn't a cheap hobby anymore. I like the look of a cardie in a magazine so went to my LYS to price it up - £108!!!!! I wouldn't pay that for a cardie made by somebody else let alone by me. Needless to say I won't be doing that one.

This is my LYS by the way. They sell everything at less than the RRP if you wanted something speical but the expensive stuff is still expensive even after a discount.

Yes, when I first started I was shocked at how expensive it is. I mostly write it off as a hobby, keeps me busy and relaxed. Cheaper than having a boat or something

Have just found a website called arightgoodyarn which is pretty good value.

Not bad Bumperlicious, not bad at all!

Wool yarn has gone up a lot in price and recently hit 20 year highs because wool production has been switched to more lucrative meat production in Australia.